Creating a safe, comfortable space for affordable multifamily residents often requires a lot of resources. However, replacing outdated, inefficient appliances can enhance residents’ quality of life while delivering measurable energy savings. By leveraging incentive programs, property owners can significantly reduce the cost of these upgrades. With thoughtful planning, you can tap into multiple funding sources to help lower the cost of energy saving upgrades for your affordable multifamily properties.
What is program layering for multifamily properties?
Program layering allows you to combine incentives from more than one program to benefit the same property or project. Affordable multifamily properties in California can layer energy efficiency programs to reduce the cost of large-scale equipment upgrade projects. Multifamily Energy Savings staff works with your utility’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to find ways to layer incentives and boost your savings.
While it isn’t possible in all cases, there are a few things you should look for to determine whether program layering is possible for your specific project.
Multifamily Energy Savings and Programs Not Funded by the California Public Utilities Commission
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) sponsors many energy-efficiency incentive and weatherization programs to support regional and statewide energy goals. When layering Multifamily Energy Savings with a program not sponsored by the CPUC, customers can typically receive incentives for the same equipment or technology if the total incentive does not exceed the installed cost.
For example, the Multifamily Energy Savings program and California Low Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) may both fund the same heat pump ductless mini-split or heat pump water heater upgrade, up to the total installation cost, because the money comes from two separate funding sources. Be sure to check with your program contacts to confirm whether the incentives you’re considering can be combined for the project.
California IOU Single Point of Contacts
Multifamily Energy Savings and Other CPUC-Funded Programs
The Multifamily Energy Savings program is one of the energy-efficiency incentive and weatherization programs sponsored by the CPUC. Other CPUC-sponsored programs include California Energy-Smart Homes and the Bay Area Multifamily Building Enhancements Program (BAMBE).
A property can receive incentives from multiple CPUC programs if they cover separate upgrades. For example, a property would not qualify for incentives from both Multifamily Energy Savings and BAMBE for the same water heater upgrade. However, the property could receive funding for distinct upgrades, such as water heater incentives from the Multifamily Energy Savings program and ductless heat pump space heating incentives from BAMBE.
To maximize the benefits of combining CPUC-funded programs, it’s best to be proactive and learn what is eligible by discussing project details with Multifamily Energy Savings well in advance.
Opportunities for layering with Multifamily Energy Savings
Affordable multifamily properties looking to enroll in other affordable multifamily equipment incentive programs have several options:
Not all properties are eligible for the programs detailed above. Be sure to check the requirements closely and reach out to program representatives early in the process before finalizing your plans.
How to get started with program layering
Ready to learn how the Multifamily Energy Savings program can help fund your energy-efficient equipment upgrades or replacements, and discover if you’re eligible for additional funding sources?
Fill out our Interest Form and mention layering opportunities.
