Efficiency Fund

The DCSEU's Income Qualified Efficiency Fund is designed to support projects that improve buildings, neighborhoods, or whole communities through energy efficiency. If you own or operate a multifamily property, shelter, or clinic that serves low- to moderate-income District residents, or you are a contractor working on a project at one of these properties, the DCSEU wants to hear from you.

Apply for Funding

Eligibility

Applicants must be a DCSEU Approved Contractor or a property management organization or owner willing to work with DCSEU Approved Contractors. Preference will be given to District of Columbia Certified Business Enterprises (CBE) contractors registered with the District Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD). Contractors who are not currently under contract to the DCSEU must submit to the DCSEU's Request for Qualifications to become a DCSEU Approved Contractor.

Income Requirements

“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”).

Eligible Projects

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 single home where the owner or occupant meets the definition of “low-income households” isted above, (b) a multifamily building where at least 50% 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 50% of the housing units in the building will be occupied by low-income households. (e) an Affordable Dwelling Unit (“ADU”) purchased or leased by a low-income household in a new residential development or rehabilitation project enrolled in the District’s Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) Program for Low-Income Households administered by the District Department of Housing and Community Development

Clinics Eligible for Potential Funding

Selection Criteria

Funding will be competitively awarded to DCSEU Approved Contractors for energy efficiency projects that generate significant energy savings and pass the associated financial benefits on to low-income residents in the District of Columbia. Projects that maximize energy savings and reach a large number of low-to-moderate income residents will receive funding priority. Selection criteria are as follows:

CBE Contractors

Projects submitted by contractors that are registered CBEs will be given preference. All contractors must be under contract to the DCSEU in order to qualify for funding.

Residents Impacted

Projects that impact the greatest number of low-income District residents will receive preference.

Energy Savings per Dollar

Projects that achieve more energy savings with the fewer dollars spent will receive preference. Savings will be calculated based on the price per MWh or MMBTU of energy saved.

Matching Funds

Projects that have more matching funds secured towards the total cost of the energy efficiency upgrades will receive preference.

Innovative Measures

Projects that present innovative measures not currently eligible for standard rebates but that deliver energy savings will receive preference.

Key Dates and Deadlines

Aug 8, 2022

FY 2023 Phase 1 (Lighting & Electrical HVAC) opens for applications.

Oct 28, 2022

Applications are due to DCSEU by 5pm.

Dec 9, 2022

Application decisions are announced (pending virtual remote pre-inspections & analysis review)

Jan 27, 2023

Incentive Agreements and Work Orders issued.

April 21, 2023

All measures must be installed and final invoices are due to the DCSEU.

FY23 Income Qualified Efficiency Fund (IQEF) Info Session

Download Presentation

Apply for Funding

DCSEU Approved Contractors

  1. Download the FY 2023 contractor cover page & application (.pdf) and Data Intake Tool (.xlsm) and complete.
  2. Submit your completed FY 2023 application to [email protected] before October 28, 2022.
  3. Projects selected for funding will be notified on or after December 3, 2021 (pending virtual remote pre-inspections & analysis review).

New Contractors

  1. Submit a response to the DCSEU's RFQ in order to become a DCSEU Approved Contractor. Only contractors who have a current contract with the DCSEU can submit applications for funding. The FY 2023 RFQ will be released in September 2022.
  2. Download and submit your contractor cover page & application and Data Intake Tool to [email protected] before October 28, 2022.
  3. Projects selected for funding will be notified on or after December 2, 2022 (pending virtual remote pre-inspections & analysis review).

Property Owners/Managers

  1. Request a property walkthrough and project review with a DCSEU Approved Contractor.
  2. Please provide the following:
    • Property Owner / Manager name(s)
    • Provide Low-income verification
    • Number of units on property
    • Mechanical/Electrical Engineer project
    • Point of Contact
  3. The DCSEU will schedule an Approved Contractor to perform a site visit for your project. Property owners/managers may get proposals from multiple Approved Contractors and submit the proposal of their choice.
  4. Download and submit your contractor cover page & application and Data Intake Tool with a DCSEU Approved Contractor to [email protected] before October 28, 2022.
  5. Projects selected for funding will be notified on or after December 2, 2022 (pending virtual remote pre-inspections & analysis review).