HVAC
Heating and cooling accounts for as much as 40% of the energy used in commercial facilities.
Today’s Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment uses significantly less energy to operate than equipment purchased just a decade ago. Businesses, multifamily, and other commercial buildings can save money, increase equipment reliability, and create more comfortable living spaces and productive workplaces by making energy-efficient choices when installing, renovating, or replacing HVAC equipment. The DCSEU offers standard rebates to District businesses and enhanced rebates to both small businesses in the District and to affordable housing, clinics, and shelters serving income-qualified DC residents for energy-efficient HVAC equipment that can help you save money for years to come.
After September 30, 2021, in line with District policy and the Clean Energy DC Plan, the DCSEU will make the following updates in regards to rebates and incentives for natural gas projects and equipment in commercial, institutional, and multifamily buildings:
The DCSEU will no longer offer rebates/incentives for the following new gas equipment installed in market-rate commercial, institutional, and multifamily buildings:
- Gas Boilers - hot water conventional and condensing
- Gas Boilers – Steam
- Gas Furnaces
- Rooftop Units – Gas heating
- Gas Instantaneous Water Heaters
- Gas Storage Water Heaters
- Gas Clothes Dryers
The DCSEU MAY still provide incentives and technical support for operations & maintenance (O&M) efficiency measures for existing gas equipment for all commercial and multifamily (market-rate and affordable) properties.
Custom Rebates
Not sure where to start? Don't see a rebate listed for your equipment? The DCSEU's Account Management team can help you make the right choice for your business. Find out more about custom rebates.
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Rebates
| Commercial Heat Pumps & Air Conditioning | Qualifying Criteria | Qualifying Source |
Standard Rebate (Rebate subject to change*) | Small Business Rebate (Under 10,000 sq. ft.; Rebate subject to change*) |
Income-Qualified Rebate (Rebate subject to change*) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Air Source Heat Pumps, Small, Split | < 65,000 Btu/hr ≥ 15.00 SEER ≥ 12.5 EER ≥ 8.5 HSPF |
$300 | $450 | N/A | |
| AHRI Residential Category: Variable-Speed Mini-Split and Multi-Split Heat Pumps | |||||
| Commercial Air Source Heat Pumps, Small, Single | < 65,000 Btu/hr ≥ 15.00 SEER ≥ 12.00 EER ≥ 8.2 HSPF |
AHRI Commercial Category: Single Package Vertical Heat Pumps | $300 | $450 | N/A |
| AHRI Commercial Category: Packaged Terminal Heat Pumps | |||||
| Large Commercial Air Source Heat Pumps | 65,000 ≤ Capacity < 135,000 Btu/hr ≥ 11.8 EER ≥ 13.6 IEER ≥ 3.4 COP |
AHRI Commercial Category: Unitary Large Equipment | $500 |
$650 |
N/A
|
| AHRI Commercial Category: Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Heat Pumps | |||||
| Affordable Multifamily Heat Pumps & Air Conditioning | Qualifying Criteria | Qualifying Source |
Standard Rebate (Rebate subject to change*) | Small Business Rebate (Under 10,000 sq. ft.; Rebate subject to change*) |
Income-Qualified Rebate (Rebate subject to change*) |
|
Central Air Conditioners |
SEER ≥ 15 EER ≥ 12.5 |
N/A |
N/A |
$300 | |
| SEER ≥ 16 EER ≥ 13 |
N/A | N/A | $500 | ||
| SEER ≥ 18 EER ≥ 13 |
N/A | N/A | $650 | ||
| Air Source Heat Pump | HSPF ≥ 9 SEER ≥ 16 EER ≥ 13 |
AHRI CEE: Heat Pumps | N/A | N/A | $650 |
| HSPF ≥ 9.5 SEER ≥ 18 and EER ≥ 13 |
N/A | N/A | $850 | ||
| Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump | < 65,000 Btu/hr capacity HSPF ≥ 8.5 SEER ≥ 15 EER ≥ 12.5 |
AHRI CEE: Variable-Speed Mini-Split and Multi-Split Heat Pumps | N/A | N/A | $500-$1,050 |
| Thermostats | Qualifying Criteria | Qualifying Source |
Standard Rebate (Rebate subject to change*) | Small Business Rebate (Under 10,000 sq. ft.; Rebate subject to change*) |
Income-Qualified Rebate (Rebate subject to change*) |
| Smart Thermostat | Heating and cooling through a configurable schedule of temperature setpoints with automatic variation |
N/A |
N/A |
$100 |
*Rebates for the select equipment above are subject to change based on potential future programmatic changes pending the District of Columbia Public Service Commission's regulatory proceedings.
Resources
Download the ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for small business owners and staff who want to increase the energy and water efficiency of their properties by creating and implementing a realistic and cost-effective energy improvement program.
Eligibility
All projects must be submitted for pre-approval prior to the purchase of equipment. Applications that are not submitted for pre-approval are not guaranteed to receive rebates from the DCSEU.
To qualify for small business rebate amounts, the business where measures are being installed must occupy less than 10,000 square feet of space as a tenant in a larger building or the entire building that houses the business must be less than 10,000 square feet.
“Low-Income Households” are households that have annual incomes equal to or below 80% of the Area Median Income (“AMI”) or 60% of the State Median Income (“SMI”).
"Low-Income Communities" can be classified as Multifamily Buildings, Clinics, or Shelters that serve low-income households. “Low-Income Housing” is defined as the District’s stock of affordable, low-income housing. It is defined as either (a) a building where the owner or occupant meets the definition of “low-income households” listed above, (b) a multifamily building where at least 66% of the households meet the definition of “low-income households” listed above, (c) buildings owned by non-profit organizations or government that meet the definition of “low-income households” listed above, or (d) buildings where there are contracts or other legal instruments in place that assure that at least 66% of the housing units in the building will be occupied by low-income households.
Total rebates are limited to $100,000 per location, per fiscal year for standard market-rate and $100,000 per location, per fiscal year for income-qualified multifamily. View all the Terms and Conditions.
For questions about equipment rebates, or for questions about embarking on energy efficiency upgrades in your business, please contact the DCSEU at 202-479-2222 or [email protected].