Energy Efficiency and Electrification

PACE offers rebates to help businesses convert to energy-efficient equipment and equipment powered by clean electricity. We also work with property owners interested in future-proofing their commercial buildings by weatherizing and installing heat pump technologies. And if you’re a contractor helping a business or property owner adopt energy-efficient options, we’re here for you, too.

PACE has extra funding for many of the rebates listed below for owners of equity priority buildings. And small business owners in Boulder County may be eligible for one of our Small Business Grants.

When possible, PACE rebates and grants can layer on top of our utility partner rebates (Efficiency Works or Xcel Energy). Advisors will work to get you and your business the maximum amount of financial support available.

The following limits apply to 2025 rebates:

  • $50,000 total per parcel
  • $100,000 total per applicant

The Engineering Design and Feasibility Plans do not count toward 2025 limits. Please see eligibility information at the bottom of this page, and work with your PACE advisor for answers to all your rebate and eligibility requirement questions.

Click a link below to see available rebates and requirements, or reach out to our advisors for advice on where it makes sense to start.

PACE HVAC Icon

Heating and Cooling

PACE Water Icon

Hot Water

PACE Electrification Icon

Building Electrification & Infrastructure

PACE Insulation Icon

Insulation

PACE Restaurant Icon

Restaurant & Grocery

PACE Landscaping Icon

Landscaping Equipment

PACE Lighting Icon

Lighting

PACE Solar Icon

Solar

Available Rebates & Incentives

PACE HVAC Icon

Heating and Cooling

Contractor Bonus
PACE offers a contractor bonus to HVAC contractors who install rebate-eligible HVAC equipment. With this bonus, contractors earn 25% of the rebate amount their customer receives. For example, when a customer gets a $20,000 rebate for installing heat pump rooftop units, the contractor receives a $5,000 bonus. This bonus is capped at $30,000 per contractor per year.

Rebate Limits

  • Standard Rebates: 50% of costs, limit $40,000
  • Equity Priority Rebates: 70% of costs, limit $50,000
Upgrade Standard Rebate Equity Priority Requirements
Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps (Ducted) $1,500/ton $3,000/ton 9.0+ HSPF or 8.1+ HSPF2
Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps (Non-ducted) $1,500/ton $3,000/ton 9.5+ HSPF or 8.5+ HSPF2
Non-Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps (Ducted) $750/ton $1,500/ton 8.8+ HSPF or 7.8+ HSPF2
Non-Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps (Non-Ducted) $750/ton $1,500/ton 9.0+ HSPF or 7.8+ HSPF2
Ground Source Heat Pumps $2,000/ton $4,000/ton Requirements vary depending on capacity
Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Heat Pump $1,500/ton $3,000/ton Requirements vary depending on capacity
All-Electric or Dual Fuel Heat Pump Rooftop Unit $1,500/ton $3,000/ton Requirements vary depending on capacity
Energy recovery ventilator (ERV) or Heat recovery ventilator (HRV) $2/CFM $2/CFM >55% sensible heat recovery
Add Economizer to RTU $250/unit $250/unit N/A
Direct Evaporative Pre-cooling $100/unit $100/unit N/A
PACE Water Icon

Hot Water

Rebate Limits:

  • Standard Rebates: 50% of costs, limit $20,000
  • Equity Priority Buildings: 70% of costs, limit $25,000
  • These rebates cannot be stacked together
Upgrade Standard Rebate Equity Priority Requirements
Commercial Heat Pump Water Heater $1,500/ton $3,000/ton Energy Star Certified
Electric Resistance Water Heater $1,000/ton $2,000/ton Energy Star Certified and replacing a gas water heater
PACE Electrification Icon

Building Electrification & Infrastructure

PACE provides rebates for electric infrastructure upgrades and offers two rebate options for building owners to support your plan for electrification. The Engineering Design rebate helps fund the engineering work needed for short-term planning, design, and implementation, while the Feasibility Plan aids with longer-term capital planning for projects scheduled to be completed in 1 to 5 years.

Note that buildings are not eligible to receive funding for both Engineering Design and a Feasibility Plan within the same year.

Program Description Rebate Amount Rebate Cap
Engineering Design Funding to support the engineering necessary to implement electrification projects within the next year. Eligible costs include load calculations, equipment specification, electrical load capacity analysis, commissioning, and more. Standard Building: 80% of costs
Equity Priority Building: 100% of costs		 $20,000/building
Feasibility Plan Funding to support engineering plans for electrifying complex building systems to help owners with capital planning. These engineering plans are most appropriate for planning projects in the next one to five years. Standard Building: 80% of costs
Equity Priority Building: 100% of costs		 $20,000/building
Electric Infrastructure Upgrades Rebate available for electrical infrastructure work to support electrification of building systems. Standard Building: 80% of costs
Equity Priority Building: 100% of costs		 $4,000/building
PACE Insulation Icon

Insulation and Window Film

Rebate Limits:

  • Equity Priority Buildings: Up to 70% of project costs, $25,000 maximum
  • Standard Buildings: Up to 50% of project costs, $20,000 maximum

Rebate Definitions:

  • Equity rebates are for businesses <2,500 square feet and nonprofits that serve low-income populations.
  • CI stands for continuous insulation (i.e. no thermal breaks such as studs, rafters, etc.). LS stands for Liner System. Product rating must be met or exceeded to qualify; no partial improvement can be applied.
  • R-value is an average across total square footage being insulated. Overall assembly R-value (including existing insulation) may be accepted on a case-by-case basis (provide assembly R-value calculations).
Upgrade Standard Rebate Equity Priority Requirements
Window Film with SHGC ≤ 0.35 $1.50/SF $3.00/SF Existing windows must be clear and either single or double pane. Window films must be professionally installed. Incentives are only for windows within 45 degrees of West, South, or East (north facing windows do not qualify).
Roof Insulation, Standard $0.32/SF $0.62/SF Must be entirely above deck: R-30 CI
Metal building: R-19+R-13 LS or R-25+R-10 LS
Roof Insulation, Equity $0.64/SF $1.28/SF Must be entirely above deck: R-30 CI
Metal building: R-19+R-13 LS or R-25+R-10 LS
Attic Insulation, Standard $0.16/SF $0.32/SF R-49 minimum
Attic Insulation, Equity $0.32/SF $0.64/SF R-49 minimum
Wall Insulation, Standard $0.06/SF $0.12/SF Mass: R-20 CI
Metal building: R-0+R-21 CI
Steel framed: R-13+R-12 CI
Wood framed: R-13+R-8.5 CI or R-19+R-6 CI
Assembly: U ≤ 0.05
Wall Insulation, Equity $0.12/SF $0.24/SF Mass: R-20 CI
Metal building: R-0+R-21 CI
Steel framed: R-13+R-12 CI
Wood framed: R-13+R-8.5 CI or R-19+R-6 CI
Assembly: U ≤ 0.05
PACE Restaurant Icon

Restaurant and Grocery Equipment

Businesses under 2,500 square feet may qualify for our Refrigeration and Restaurant Equipment Grant, which covers up to 80% of project costs for refrigeration and food service equipment.

Rebate Limits:
PACE will cover up to 50% of project costs, up to a maximum of $20,000.

Other Details

  • Rebate amounts are per unit unless otherwise specified
  • Appliances must be EnergyStar rated

Restaurant Rebates

Upgrade Rebate Amount Requirements
Ice Machine $100 Must be High Efficiency
Dishwasher, Under Counter $500 For replacement or new dishwasher
Dishwasher, Door Type $1,000 For replacement or new dishwasher
Dishwasher, Single Tank Conveyor $1,500 For replacement or new dishwasher
Dishwasher, Multi Tank Conveyor $2000 For replacement or new dishwasher
Refrigerator, glass door, <30 cu ft $75 Commercial Grade
Refrigerator, glass door, ≥30 cu ft $100 Commercial Grade
Refrigerator, solid door, <30 cu ft $50 Commercial Grade
Refrigerator, solid door, ≥30 cu ft $100 Commercial Grade
Freezer, glass door, <30 cu ft $150 Commercial Grade
Freezer, glass door, ≥30 cu ft $300 Commercial Grade
Freezer, solid door, <30 cu ft $100 Commercial Grade
Freezer, solid door, ≥30 cu ft $200 Commercial Grade
Hot Food Holding Cabinets $500 Insulated, ≥7 cu. ft.
Steamers $1,250 Electric Powered Only
Fryers $1,000 Electric Powered Only
Griddles $500 Electric Powered Only
> 70% HL Eff
Induction Cooktop $750/hob (burner) Natural Gas Replacement Only
Convection Ovens $400 Electric Powered Only
> 70% HL Eff
Demand Control Kitchen Ventilation (Vent Hood Exhaust) $400/hp MAU also Controlled
Demand Control Kitchen Ventilation (Vent Hood Exhaust) $200/hp MAU not Controlled

Grocery Rebates

Upgrade Rebate Amount Requirements
Door Gaskets $2/ft For reach-in or walk-in refrigerator or freezer
Display Case, Open, Med Temp (>0 deg F) $250/ft Must be high-efficiency
Display Case, Reach-in, Med Temp (>0 deg F) $250/ft Must be high-efficiency
Display Case, Reach-in, Low Temp (≤0 deg F) $450/ft Must be high-efficiency
Strip Curtains $3/sqft For walk-in coolers or refrigerated warehouse spaces
Auto closers, Low temp (≤0 deg F) $200 For main walk-in door
Auto Closers, Med temp (>0 deg F) $200 For main walk-in door
Auto Closers, Low temp (≤0 deg F) $150 For Reach-in door
Auto Closers, Med temp (>0 deg F) $60 For Reach-in door
Evaporator Fan EC Motor $100 N/A
PACE Landscaping Icon

Landscaping Equipment

Please visit the PACE Landscaping Equipment Grant page to learn more.

PACE Lighting Icon

Lighting

Rebate Limits:
PACE will cover up to 50% of project costs, when also factoring in available utility rebates, up to a maximum of $20,000.

Rebate Requirements & Details:

  • To qualify for rebates, all fixtures, retrofits, and lamps must be LED
  • Exterior lighting is required to be either
    1. Dark Sky Compliant listed
    2. Full cut off and no more than 3,000K in color temperature
  • Retrofits of existing outdoor fixtures are exempted from items 1 and 2, but are still subject to local code requirements

Lighting Replacement

Lighting Replacement Rebate Amount / Watt Reduced
LED Linear Tubes $0.30
LED Hardwired Retrofit Kits and Fixtures $0.75
LED Replacement Lamps $0.25
Ceramic Metal Halides $0.20
All other Retrofits and Replacements $0.40

Permanently Installed Interior Automatic Controls

Control Type Rebate Amount / Watt Controlled
Networked Lighting Control $0.40
Combo Continuous Dimming (photocell) and Occupancy/Vacancy $0.15
Continuous Dimming (photocell) $0.10
Occupancy/Vacancy $0.10

Refrigeration Lighting

Refrigeration Type Rebate Amount
Cases with 5 ft. and 6 ft. doors (replacing T12 or T8) $30/door
Walk-ins and Open or Reach-in Display Cases
Replacing T10 or T12 with Magnetic Ballast		 $100/4 ft
Walk-ins and Open or Reach-in Display Cases
Replacing T8 with Electronic Ballast		 $100/4 ft
PACE Solar Icon

Solar

Please visit the PACE Solar Rebates page to learn more.

Custom Rebates

All Boulder County businesses can participate in a custom rebate program for energy efficiency measures that are not part of the existing prescriptive rebate program. All rebates approved by the utility’s custom rebate program are eligible for a one for one rebate match, subject to PACE’s general rebate caps and conditions.

The custom efficiency rebates promote electric and natural gas reduction and require pre-approval prior to purchase/installation of equipment. Project submissions are reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis.

Examples of potential custom rebate measures:

Advanced lighting controls, high efficiency heat pumps, heat recovery and reuse, chiller upgrades, building automation systems, compressed air equipment and system upgrades, refrigeration compressor and condenser upgrade, variable frequency drive installations on fans, pumps, or other variable loads.

Contact a business sustainability advisor at 303-786-7223 or info@PACEpartners.com to learn more.

Connect with an Advisor for Custom Rebates

Eligibility, Terms, and Other Resources

Note that rebate amounts and requirements are subject to change without notice. PACE rebates are available on a first come, first serve basis. Businesses are required to contact an advisor prior to the purchase of energy efficiency measures to confirm funding availability, ensure that your project meets the eligibility requirements and to schedule an energy assessment/walk through of the project to verify existing equipment.

Funding for PACE’s rebates and incentives comes from Boulder County’s Sustainability Tax and the City of Boulder’s Climate Tax.

Rebate Application Process

  1. Contact PACE to Find an Advisor: An advisor will help to ensure rebate eligibility and to schedule your free energy assessment.
  2. Get a bid: Obtain project bids from qualified contractors clearly identifying existing equipment/fixtures and equipment/fixtures to be installed. We recommend that you get 2-3 bids and can provide you with a contractor list. Your advisor will help determine eligibility of equipment. Work with your advisor to review bids/specification sheets for eligibility and create a rebate reservation to secure the funds.
  3. Submit application for rebate reservation: Reservations are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and reservation lengths vary depending on equipment installed. Work with your advisor to review bids/specification sheets for eligibility and create a rebate reservation to secure the funds. A signed contract will be required to reserve rebates over $5,000. A contractor bid signed by the business indicating intent to proceed will be required to reserve rebates between $1,000 and $5,000. Written confirmation of a rebate reservation is the only way to ensure that rebate funds will be held for your project.
  4. Purchase and install eligible equipment: Complete the installations within the following reservation windows:
    • Reservations for lighting projects will be held for up to 60 days.
    • Reservations for non-lighting projects will be held for up to 90 days.
    • Reservations for renewable energy projects will be held for up to 12 months.
    • Businesses may be allowed to request one extension of the reservation, subject to approval by a committee.
  5. Submit final rebate paperwork at project completion: Complete the PACE forms provided by your advisor and send them to us with your completed invoice. Your advisor will submit your rebate application for you. Receive rebate within 6-8 weeks after submittal.

Eligibility

PACE rebates are available to commercial and institutional organizations on commercial meters within Boulder County (including non-profits, manufacturing facilities and multifamily housing) installing eligible retrofit measures. Rebates will not be offered to new construction or renovations projects. To distinguish between retrofit and renovation projects, Boulder County will treat the project as new construction/renovation if the business meets two out of the four following criteria:

      1. The business is undertaking the project primarily due to a change in the use of the space, which requires changes to the lighting or HVAC systems. For example, warehouse space is being converted to office space.
      2. Existing light fixtures are being removed and a totally new light scheme with re-wiring is the result.
      3. Required to apply for a construction permit.
      4. First time install of electric operated equipment in which higher efficient models are available.

Specific measure eligibility is dependent on the type of upgrade. Contact a PACE advisor for more information.

Rebate Limits

The following limits apply to 2025 rebates:

  • $50,000 total per parcel
  • $100,000 total per applicant

The Engineering Design and Feasibility Plans do not count toward 2025 limits.

PACE reserves the right to waive or adjust limits on a case-by-case basis. Rebates will be limited such that the simple payback period for any project, with all rebates and incentives deducted from total project costs, is not less than one year. Businesses may request an exemption, subject to approval by a committee of PACE staff.

PACE reserves the right to cap funding for any one business sector to ensure a fair distribution of funds.

Financing

Colorado Property Assessed Clean Energy Loans (C-PACE) enables owners of Eligible Commercial & Industrial Buildings to finance up to 100% of Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, and Water Conservation Eligible Improvements.

Rebate Estimators and Forms

Rebate Estimators:
The easiest and most accurate way to obtain a rebate estimate is to contact a PACE advisor. If you would like to estimate your own projects, please contact an advisor to request our most current estimators.

Application forms:

Note that rebate amounts and requirements are subject to change without notice. PACE rebates are available on a first come, first serve basis. Businesses/contractors are required to contact an advisor prior to the purchase of energy efficiency measures to confirm funding availability, ensure that your project meets the eligibility requirements and to schedule an energy assessment/walk through of the project to verify existing equipment.

Additional Resources

Resource Sheets:

Connect with an Advisor to Apply for Rebates