Sustainable Energy Utility (Electric & Gas) - Commercial and Multifamily Rebate Program

March 28, 2023

Summary

The District of Columbia's Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU) administers the Commercial and Multifamily Rebate Program. Rebates are available to businesses and institutions for the installation of energy-efficient equipment. The program is funded through the Sustainable Energy Trust Fund which is supported by a public benefits charge on utility bills. To be eligible for the program, participants must be a customer of Pepco Holdings, Inc and/or Washington Gas Light Co. 

Energy efficiency products eligible for rebate include lighting, heating, HVAC, motors, compressed air, refrigeration, food service and others. Rebate levels and technical specifications vary by the type of equipment installed. All projects must be pre-approved by DESEU to secure funding. Rebates will be issued after completion of the project and after inspection by the DCSEU. Projects must involve a facility improvement that will lead to permanent reduction in electricity and/or natural gas use. Only new equipment qualifies under this program. Full lists of specifications, including application forms, are available on the program web site.

DCSEU will provide technical assistance and evaluate various options available for the customer. 

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 info@dcseu.com.