Large commercial and industrial businesses can have a big impact on conserving resources and creating a sustainable future for our cities. Now is the time to make energy efficiency and electrification strategic priorities for your business - and Seattle City Light is here to help.
Financial Incentives for Energy Efficiency Initiatives
If you own or operate a commercial building or industrial plant, we offer innovative energy efficiency programs that can help reduce your operational costs.
If you're looking for ways to make your building systems work smarter, Existing Building Commissioning (EBCx) might be right for you. By making improvements to existing equipment and systems, you can save energy and reduce operational costs while creating a better environment for occupants. Incentives are available for Retro-Commissioning (RCx) or Monitoring Based Commissioning (MBCx) efforts.
Review the commissioning fact sheet, program requirements, and FAQ to learn more.
Ready to get started? Submit your commissioning incentive application.
If you own or operate a commercial building, you may be eligible to receive incentive payments over time through the Pay-for-Performance (P4P) program. P4P pays a set incentive amount for verified total energy saved, rather than separate incentives for individual measures, giving you more flexibility and opportunities to save.
Review the P4P Fact Sheet and program manual to learn more.
Ready to get started? Submit your P4P incentive application.
Our Energy Project Manager (EPM) Incentive is designed to help you achieve substantial savings and offset the costs associated with the time and labor that goes into making your organization energy efficient.
This incentive provides savings to organizations that employ a designated Energy Project Manager. A designated EPM is a designated individual who helps support development and implementation of the EPM Comprehensive Site Plan. Your EPM will play a pivotal role in identifying and implementing energy-saving initiatives within your organization with the support of City Light. Our goal is to allow you to make the most of your energy resources while reducing your operational expenses.
This supplemental incentive will also allow City Light to fund a project beyond the 70% incentive cap, but not to exceed 100% funding for a project.
How to Participate
- Designate your Energy Program Manager: To qualify for this incentive, you must designate an Energy Project Manager on your staff, or contract with a third-party representative to coordinate your projects and support the development and implementation of the site’s comprehensive plan. Work with your City Light Energy Management Analyst or contact SCLEnergyAdvisor@seattle.gov or (206) 684-3800 to start the conversation!
- Comprehensive Savings Plan: Your Energy Project Manager may work independently or with support from City Light staff to create a tailored energy savings plan for your organization. Eligible comprehensive plans must include a combined total energy savings of 200,000 kWh or greater and include one non-lighting project. Projects can be implemented at a single location or spread across a portfolio of properties.
- Financial Incentives: For eligible projects included in your comprehensive savings plan, you will earn an additional incentive of $0.025 per kWh (up to $150,000 per 2-year rate period) saved on top of the base incentives earned for the completed projects.
Additional Resources
The Energy Project Manager Incentive is a Bonneville Power Administration program that has been adopted by City Light and is being administered by City Light. For more information on the program, visit Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Commercial Energy Project Manager Assistance.
The Project Development Incentive (PDI) is a limited-time, supplemental incentive designed to offset contractor or customer administrative costs of participating in efficiency programs.
City Light is offering program participants an opportunity to earn more on commercial and industrial HVAC, lighting, and multifamily weatherization retrofit projects. This supplemental incentive means that participants are eligible for an additional $0.025 for every kilowatt-hour of electricity saved on eligible projects that are completed, with all required documentation submitted to City Light, by June 30, 2024.
This supplemental incentive will also allow City Light to fund a project beyond the 70% incentive cap, but not to exceed 100% funding for a project.
Future rate changes for this incentive will be determined in Spring 2024.
How to Participate
- Increased Earnings: Contractors and customers should contact a City Light Energy Advisor to ensure their project meets the energy-saving criteria. Contact SCLEnergyAdvisor@seattle.gov or (206) 684-3800 to get started today!
- Act Quickly: To maximize earnings, contractors must complete eligible projects prior to June 30, 2024 to be eligible for the largest incentive rate.
- Submit Documentation: Provide necessary project documentation to City Light for energy savings verification by the specified date to receive the incentive offered during that time period.
- Receive Payout: Once approved, participants will receive this supplemental incentive on top of other incentives the same project may have already been eligible for. The customer, in conversation with their selected contractor, will determine how the the incentive payment is directed.
We have partnered with distributors to offer instant discounts for qualified lighting, heating, and cooling solutions.
Lighting to Go
Our Lighting to Go program offers instant discounts on qualified commercial LED products to help your business enjoy energy savings and high-quality lighting for years to come.
Review our Lighting to Go factsheet to find eligible products and discounts and visit one of our participating distributors to purchase your discounted commercial lighting.
Heating and Cooling Equipment
Contractors can receive instant discounts on qualified heat pumps under 5.4 tons, heat pump water heaters less than or equal to 120 gallons, and small ECM circulator pumps.
Review program details and have your contractor contact a participating distributor to purchase discounted equipment on your behalf.
Ultra-Low Temperature Freezers
An energy-efficient ultra-low temperature freezer can save your laboratory as much as $2,000 per year. Work with your contractor or distributor to learn more about point-of-purchase discounts funded by City Light.
Visit the US Department of Energy to learn more.
We offer easy and quick rebates to help reduce the cost of energy efficiency projects. These simple rebates do not require pre-approval however, be sure to carefully review eligibility requirements, and rebate applications must be received within 90 days of purchase.
Commercial Kitchen Equipment
Energy-efficient ENERGY STAR electric ovens, ice makers, and other commercial kitchen equipment can lower the amount of energy you use and save you money.
Review our Commercial Kitchen Equipment factsheet for more information.
Connected Thermostats
Connected thermostats more accurately match your heating and cooling equipment operation with your building schedule and help you program and control schedules remotely via the internet.
Review our Connected Thermostats factsheet for more information.
Connected Thermostat Bonus Rebate Programming Worksheet
Advanced Rooftop Controls
Adding advanced rooftop controls to constant speed packaged rooftop units can save up to 60% on your fan energy cost and provide improved comfort, better indoor air quality, and web-based energy monitoring and management.
Visit Trade Ally Network Northwest to learn more.
Commercial and industrial building retrofits of lighting fixtures, lighting controls, HVAC controls, variable speed drives, IT server rooms, or refrigeration equipment can provide excellent energy and cost savings. Projects can include multiple energy conservation measures. Multifamily (>4 units) common area is also eligible.
Review our retrofit program requirements and retrofit incentive list.
Spotlight on...
Networked Lighting Controls - network lighting controls combine LEDs, controls, connectivity and data for a flexible lighting product that can improve occupant comfort and space utilization. Controls strategies built in to networked lighting controls include occupancy sensing, daylight harvesting, continuous dimming and more. City Light is offering a bonus incentive for networked lighting controls of $50 to $75 per controlled fixture.
Learn more about this technology and why it makes sense for your business lighting needs. Download the Networked Lighting Control Toolkit and check out the Lighting Solutions Playlist from our partners at the Lighting Design Lab and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.
Indoor Horticulture - Indoor horticultural operations are energy intensive. Lighting, HVAC and dehumidification can easily consume up to 40% of a grow facility's operations. Our retrofit incentives will cover up to 70% of eligible lighting and HVAC technology upgrades.
Incorporating energy efficiency measures into the design and construction of new buildings lowers operational costs and creates opportunities to market buildings based on environmental sustainability.
City Light offers energy efficiency incentive programs for new construction of commercial and multifamily buildings.
Equipment and whole building incentives are available for approved new commercial building construction projects.
Find additional energy efficiency programs for existing buildings.
In addition to providing direct rebates and incentives and funding instant discounts, we partner with regional organizations to deliver assistance and services to help you achieve your energy efficiency, clean energy, and sustainability goals.
Energy Smart Industrial Program
We partner with the Bonneville Power Administration to provide industrial customers a suite of energy efficiency programs and technical expertise. Participants may also qualify for City Light financial incentives.
Lighting Design Lab
City Light is a major supporter of the Lighting Design Lab, an innovation center providing lighting design training, support, and mockup services to help with new construction and lighting upgrades.
EnviroStars
EnviroStars is a one-stop-shop for Washington businesses to access assistance and gain recognition for being green. Your business may be eligible to receive free technical assistance, connect with rebates and resources, and follow a clear path to sustainability. The program's Green Business Directory helps customers, employees and the local community feel good about doing business with organizations committed to environmental excellence.
Learn more and get started toward becoming an EnviroStar today.
Clean Buildings Accelerator
Seattle City Light is partnering with OSE to help businesses jumpstart compliance with the Clean Buildings Law.
Electrification
More and more City Light business customers are considering whole building electrification to benefit from affordable, clean electricity with a net-zero impact and to improve tenant and customer satisfaction.
Learn more about our electrification plans and strategies.
Find financial incentives for electrically powered equipment in existing facilities.
Thinking about hosting EV charging at your building? Learn more about the City of Seattle's Drive Clean Initiative and find more information about installing EV charging for Seattle-based commercial properties.
Contact Us Early in Your Project
Connect with an Energy Advisor for help finding the best solution for maximum return on investment.