Energy Resource Hub
Many other resources are available for commercial and multifamily building owners and managers to explore energy efficiency, decarbonization, and renewable energy at their properties.
Energy Efficiency Improvements
Energy efficiency means using less energy to get the same job done – and in the process, cutting energy bills and reducing pollution. Energy efficiency and conservation are the easiest and most cost-effective ways to reduce utility costs in commercial buildings.
- ENERGY STAR resources on energy efficiency
- Montgomery County Green Bank Technical Assistance for building owners seeking energy benchmarking assistance or energy audits. Studies may include ASHRAE Level I, Level II, Level III/ Investment Grade audits and/or targeted analyses into benchmarking, energy efficiency, renewable energy (e.g., solar PV), electrification, EV charging infrastructure, and resiliency measures.
- Montgomery County Green Bank financing programs for energy efficiency.
- Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) offers commercial property owners the ability to use the property’s tax bill as a means to finance qualifying projects.
- DC Building Innovation Hub suggestions and resources to Improve Building Operations
Electrification
The terms “building electrification” and “building decarbonization” describe shifting to use electricity rather than fossil fuels for heating, hot water heating, and cooking. Heat pumps, which simply move heat from one place to another rather than generating heat on their own, are much more efficient than the equipment they replace and can also provide benefits to indoor air quality. As the electricity grid adds more renewable energy generation, all buildings and systems connected to it benefit from lower carbon emissions.
- Building Electrification Considerations
- Important Considerations for Electrification Of Commercial Buildings
- Electrifying Space Heating in Existing Commercial Buildings: Opportunities and Challenges
- Medium-Size Commercial Retrofits: How to Electrify Mid-Size Office Buildings to Save Energy, Money, and Carbon
- Large Commercial Building Boiler Electrification Guide
- High-Efficiency Heat Pumps For Multifamily Resource Guide
Vehicle Fleet Electrification
Just like buildings, electric vehicles move away from internal combustion engines and connect vehicles to a cleaning electric grid. Businesses can explore opportunities for Zero-Emission Vehicles for Business Fleets.
Renewable Energy
Once your building is operating as efficiently as possible, renewable energy can further reduce the amount of electricity you need to purchase from the grid while producing energy with no emissions. Whether adding solar to the building or purchasing renewable energy, commercial buildings can take advantage of renewable energy and the many benefits it conveys.
- Using Clean Energy in Commercial Buildings
- Renewable Energy Resource Hub
- On-Site Solar Decision Guide
- Power Purchase Agreements
- Montgomery County Green Bank commercial solar power purchase agreement and financing for renewable energy systems.