Evergreen Funding and Financing Sources for Small- to Medium-Sized Commercial Buildings
Small- to medium-sized commercial buildings (SMCB) help anchor thriving neighborhoods, but SMCB owners typically operate without facility management staff and with constrained budgets. This can mak…
Small- to medium-sized commercial buildings (SMCB) help anchor thriving neighborhoods, but SMCB owners typically operate without facility management staff and with constrained budgets. This can make it difficult to identify, design, implement, and afford effective energy upgrade solutions that can reduce the cost of doing business. This guide outlines flexible funding options for SMCBs, including non-competitive funding, competitive funding, “low-cost” debt, and traditional debt options. It helps guide program administrators toward funding combinations that can help SMCB owners complete energy upgrade projects cost effectively and provides illustrative examples of existing opportunities from utility, philanthropic, green bank, government-backed, and private financial sources.
Residential Retrofits for Energy Equity (R2E2) provides deep technical assistance to state, local, and tribal governments as well as community-based organizations to jumpstart energy upgrades for single-family and multifamily affordable housing, especially in frontline communities. R2E2 is a partnership of the American Council for Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), Elevate, Emerald Cities Collaborative, and HR&A Advisors. Learn more about the R2E2 initiative and discover more R2E2 resources.
Bridging the Equity Gap for Utility Energy Efficiency Programs
Utility energy efficiency programs have increased investment in low-income households, but significant gaps remain. This report examines spending and savings trends across 48 major U.S. utilities, identifies barriers to expanding low-income programs and highlights policies and program strategies that can improve energy affordability and equitable access to efficiency upgrades.
Efficiency Saves: Cutting Energy Waste Can Save $31,000 per Household
The United States faces interlocking energy challenges: rising home energy bills and gasoline prices; new demand for electricity from data centers and other loads; high greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels.
Now, a new era of energy efficiency progress in our buildings, transportation, and industry is needed to meet this moment. This wide-ranging study finds a massive opportunity.
Congress Can Cut Freight Costs and Consumer Prices by Addressing Key Issues in the BUILD America 250 Act
The BUILD America 250 Act, advanced by the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, would eliminate or weaken many programs that help lower transportation …
Home Energy Reports and Beyond: Meeting the Moment with Behavior-Based Energy Efficiency
Home energy report programs, in which utilities provide households with personalized insights into their energy use and tips to lower their bills, are a…
Support the Work That Makes Energy Go Further
ACEEE’s independent research and advocacy depend on the support of foundations, businesses, and individuals committed to cutting energy bills, waste, and climate pollution.
