Energy audits are conducted to identify cost-effective energy efficiency measures. Building owners can use these audits to save energy, comply with the Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS), or qualify for the Early Adopter Incentive Program. However, energy audits can be costly and many buildings have difficulty securing the fund necessary to pay for them.
Depending on your pathway to compliance with the CBPS, you may be required to complete an energy audit on your building. Furthermore, completing an energy audit is prerequisite for receiving early adopter incentive funding for Tier 1 buildings. This program provides essential support for conducting these important energy audits and can be combined with other programs that assist in complying with the CBPS. The Energy Audit Incentive for Public Buildings Program offered $14.5 million to assist publicly owned buildings with the cost of energy audits.
The application period for this program has closed but check back for future funding opportunities.
The following are some basic requirements to apply:
- The building must be a Tier 1 building or multifamily building over 50,000 sq.ft.
- The building must be publicly owned. Public buildings are buildings owned by State Agencies, School and Health Districts, Colleges and Cities, Municipalities and Counties.
- The audit must meet the requirements of the CBPS for that building’s compliance path
- The audit must be completed by an auditor on the Verified Energy Auditor Network List.
- The application period has closed for this RFA.
As part of this grant program, we created a list of Qualified Energy Auditors in the state. Commerce verified their professional credentials and standing to do work in WA. Please utilize this list as a resource for finding an auditor to evaluate buildings. Check out the Verified Energy Auditor Network List.
This list is not a recommendation or endorsement from Commerce, and our review of professional credentials does not guarantee that your audit or of any resulting products will be accepted or approved in the Clean Buildings Performance Standard review.
Grants for 2023-2025 Energy Audit Program
The Energy Audits Incentive Program for Public Buildings, funded by Washington’s Climate Commitment Act, awarded $14,014,159.68 to support 299 Tier 1 public building owners across the state. These funds allowed building owners to contract with licensed energy auditing companies to perform ASHRAE Level 1, 2 or targeted Level 2 energy audits. These energy audits included analyses of HVAC systems, building envelope, and much more. The energy audits were used to identifying energy savings opportunities to reduce energy consumption for compliance with the Clean Buildings Performance Standard.
Highlights of this program include:
- Buildings in 19 counties received this funding
- 52 buildings were audited in Spokane County
- 36% of the Tier 1 buildings in Kittitas County were audited
- 218 public K-12 schools were audited
- Over 32 million square feet of Tier 1 building space received an energy audit
For questions, please submit a customer support ticket.
Commerce is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.