Energy Efficiency and Electrification

Since 2011, over 2,100 businesses have worked with PACE on energy efficiency projects that generate a collective $4.5 million in cost savings annually–and save enough electricity to power 3,158 homes each year.

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

Rebates and Incentives

PACE has significantly increased our rebate offerings for 2024. For certain rebates, we have also added increased incentives specifically for Equity Priority Buildings, to increase access to energy and electrification upgrades for businesses serving frontline community members.

When possible, PACE incentives 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. Rebate caps apply. 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. 

The following limits apply to 2024 rebates and incentives:

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

*The Building Electrification Study (Energy Plan) does not count towards these limits. 

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Energy Plan

Start here! PACE offers up to $20,000 per property to create a plan for electrifying your commercial building and ditching fossil fuels for good. Experts will deliver a set of personalized options to save energy, cut indoor air pollution, and future-proof your property with efficiency upgrades and electric technology. Learn more here.

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Heating and Cooling

Upgrade Equity Priority  Standard Rebate
Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps (split, mini-split, or multi-split) $3,000/ton $1,500/ton
Ground Source Heat Pumps $4,000/ton $2,000/ton
Non-Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps (split, mini-split, or multi-split) $1,500/ton $750/ton
Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Heat Pump $3,000/ton $1,500/ton
All-Electric Heat Pump Rooftop Unit $3,000/ton $1,500/ton
Dual Fuel Heat Pump Rooftop Unit $3,000/ton $1,500/ton
Add Economizer to RTU $250/unit $250/unit
Direct Evaporative Pre-cooling $100/unit $100/unit
  • 70% of costs, limit $50,000, for equity priority buildings.
  • 50% of costs, limit $40,000, for all other buildings (standard rebate).
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Electric Infrastructure Upgrades

This can cover running 220V cable from a panel to new equipment and/or panel upgrades.

100% of costs covered for equity priority buildings and 80% of costs covered for all other buildings, both capped at $4,000.

Cap of $4,000. For businesses that need increased electrical capacity when transitioning from gas to electric equipment.

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Heat and Energy Recovery

$2.00/CFM rebate for units with 55+% sensible heat recovery effectiveness.

55+% sensible heat recovery effectiveness. Up to 50% of project costs, maximum of $20,000.

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Hot Water

Upgrade Equity Priority  Standard Rebate
ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pump Water Heaters $3,000/unit $1,500/unit
Replacing Gas Water Heater with ENERGY STAR Certified Electric Water Heater $2,000/unit $1,000/unit
  • 70% of costs, limit $25,000, for equity priority buildings.
  • 50% of costs, limit $20,000, for all other buildings (standard rebate).
  • These rebates cannot be stacked together.
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Insulation and Window Film

Rebates are offered per square foot of component area (not building area) for the measures listed in the table below.

Measure Equity Priority  Standard Rebate
Window Film with SHGC ≤ 0.35 $3.00/SF $1.50/SF
Roof insulation* standard $0.62/SF $0.32/SF
Roof insulation* for businesses <2,500 square feet and nonprofits that serve low-income populations $1.28/SF $0.64/SF
Attic insulation R-49 standard $0.32/SF $0.16/SF
Attic insulation R-49 for businesses under 2,500 square feet and nonprofits that serve low-income populations. $0.64/SF $0.32/SF
Wall insulation** standard $0.12/SF $0.06/SF
Wall insulation** for businesses under 2,500 square feet and nonprofits that serve low-income populations. $0.24/SF $0.12/SF

 

*Roof Insulation must be entirely above deck: R-30 c.i. Metal building: R-19+R-13 Ls or R-25+R-10 Ls

**Wall Insulation must meet the following criteria to qualify: Mass: R-20 c.i.Metal building: R-0+R-21 c.i. Steel framed: R-13+R-12 c.i. Wood framed: R-13+R-8.5 c.i. or R-19+R-6 c.i. Assembly: U ≤ 0.05

  • For Equity Priority buildings, PACE will cover up to 70% of project costs, up to a maximum of $25,000.
  • For all other buildings, PACE will cover up to 50% of project costs, up to a maximum of $20,000.

Other Requirements:

  • 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).
  • 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).
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Lighting

Lighting Replacement Rebate / 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 Rebate / Watt Controlled
Networked Lighting Control $0.40
Combo Continous Dimming (photocell) and Occupancy/Vacancy $0.15
Continous Dimming (photocell) $0.10
Occupancy/Vacancy $0.10
Refrigerated LED Case Lighting 5- and 6-foot Doors Rebate
Cases with 5 ft. and 6 ft. doors (replacing T12 or T8) – rebate per door $30
LED Refrigerated Case and Walk-in Lighting Rebate
Replacing T10 or T12 with magnetic ballast in walk-ins and open or reach-in displays – per 4′ $100
Replacing T8 with electronic ballast in walk-ins and open or reach-in display cases – per 4′ $100

To qualify for rebates, all fixtures, retrofits, and lamps must be on either the DLC QPL, or ENERGY STAR qualified.

Exterior lighting is required to be either:
1. Dark Sky Compliant listed, or
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.

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

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Food Service and Grocery Equipment

PLEASE NOTE: Businesses under 2,500 square feet may qualify for our Small Business Equity Program, which covers up to 70% of project costs for refrigeration and food service equipment.

Upgrade Rebate Units
Energy Star High efficiency ice machine $100 $/unit
*Energy Star Dishwasher, Under Counter $500 $/unit
*Energy Star Dishwasher, Door Type $1,000 $/unit
*Energy Star Dishwasher, Single Tank Conveyor $1,500 $/unit
*Energy Star Dishwasher, Multi Tank Conveyor $2,000 $/unit
*Rebates include replacement dishwashers and dishwashers where there wasn’t one already
Energy Star Commercial Refrigerator, glass door, <30 cu ft $75 $/unit
Energy Star Commercial Refrigerator, glass door, >=30 cu ft $100 $/unit
Energy Star Commercial Refrigerator, solid door, <30 cu ft $50 $/unit
Energy Star Commercial Refrigerator, solid door, >=30 cu ft $100 $/unit
Energy Star Commercial Freezer, glass door, <30 cu ft $150 $/unit
Energy Star Commercial Freezer, glass door, >=30 cu ft $300 $/unit
Energy Star Commercial Freezer, solid door <30 cu ft $100 $/unit
Energy Star Commercial Freezer, solid door, >=30 cu ft $200 $/unit
Energy Star Insulated Hot Food Holding Cabinets, >= 7 cu. Ft. $500 $/unit
Energy Star Electric Steamers $1,250 $/unit
Energy Star Electric Fryers $1,000 $/unit
Energy Star Electric Griddles, > 70% HL Eff $500 $/unit
Energy Star Induction Cooktop (natural gas replacement only) $750 Hob (burner)
Energy Star Convection Ovens – Electric, > 70% HL Eff $400 $/unit
Demand control kitchen ventilation – (vent hood exhaust), MAU also controlled $400 $/hp
Demand control kitchen ventilation – (vent hood exhaust), MAU not controlled $200 $/hp
Upgrade Rebate Units
Reach-in or walk-in refrigerator or freezer, door gaskets $2 $/ft
High-efficiency open display case, Med temp (>0 deg F), length of case in ft $250 $/ft
High-efficiency reach-in display case, Med temp (>0 deg F), length of case in ft $250 $/ft
High-efficiency reach-in display case, Low temp (<=0 deg F), length of case in ft $450 $/ft
Strip curtains for walk-in coolers or refrigerated warehouse spaces $3 $/sqft
Auto closers, Main walk-in door; Low temp (<=0 deg F) $200 $/unit
Auto Closers, Main walk-in door; Med temp (>0 deg F) $200 $/unit
Auto Closers, Reach-in door; Low temp (<=0 deg F) $150 $/unit
Auto Closers, Reach-in door; Med temp (>0 deg F) $60 $/unit
Evaporator Fan EC Motor $100 $/unit

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

Businesses under 2,500 square feet may qualify for our Small Business Equity Program, which covers up to 70% of project costs for refrigeration and food service equipment.

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Solar

Please visit the PACE Solar Rebates page to learn more.

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Landscaping Equipment

Please visit the PACE Landscaping Equipment Grant 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.

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 amounts and requirements are subject to change without notice, and are available on a first come, first served 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 schedule an energy assessment/walk through to verify existing equipment.

  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 contractors a qualified contractor 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.

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.

The following limits apply to 2024 rebates and incentives:

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

*The Building Electrification Study (Energy Plan) does not count towards these 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.

C-PACE Energy Loans

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.

The easiest and most accurate way to obtain a rebate estimate is to contact a PACE advisor. Regardless, written confirmation of a rebate reservation by a PACE advisor is the only way to ensure that rebate funds will be available for your project. Should you wish to estimate your own rebates, the forms are below.

Rebate 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.

Resource Sheets: