Economic Redevelopment Program offers incentives to support energy-efficiency improvements
Incentives for Efficiency
Investing in energy efficiency can improve a building’s value and make it easier for property owners to attract tenants. Improving energy efficiency also reduces operating costs and enhances comfort. However, the process can be challenging. Many building owners aren’t sure where to begin or are concerned about the expense of energy efficiency upgrades.
The Nicor Gas Economic Redevelopment Program helps overcome these barriers and makes investing in energy efficiency easy and affordable for owners of commercial, industrial and multifamily buildings. The program offers financial incentives and extensive technical consulting assistance. Building owners get help with every step of the process, from evaluating energy efficiency needs and identifying equipment options to applying for rebates and finding qualified contractors.
Energy Improvements Made Easy
Since the program started in June 2011, the Nicor Gas Economic Redevelopment Program has helped with energy efficiency projects in 29 buildings, including five apartment buildings owned by OakParkApartments.com and managed by Greenplan Management. According to Mike Nickels, chief sustainability officer for Greenplan Management, the Nicor Gas Economic Redevelopment Program staff provided valuable technical expertise that made the work go smoothly.
“The knowledgeable people we worked with provided me with the insight to complete projects efficiently, accurately and cost effectively,” Nickels said.
Greenplan Management worked with the Nicor Gas Economic Redevelopment Program to complete a variety of upgrades to the Oak Park properties located in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts. Improvements included insulating all steam and domestic hot water pipes, replacing steam traps, insulating roofs, air sealing the building envelope, replacing boilers and replacing HVAC units.
Investing in Communities
The Nicor Gas Economic Redevelopment Program focuses on serving areas that are in need of economic revitalization. Projects that qualify for this program include those that are located in, or promote economic development in, Enterprise Zones, TIF districts or other economically challenged areas. Other projects that may qualify are those that create jobs, offer social services, rehabilitate brownfields or vacant buildings or provide affordable housing, regardless of their location in the Nicor Gas service territory. Qualifying facilities should be at least 10,000 square feet. Each facility can qualify for up to $300,000 in incentives per year. Incentive amounts are determined by the extent of the energy efficiency improvements and projected energy savings.
Get Started with a Free Walk-Through Assessment
To apply for this program or to request more information, please contact the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Economic Redevelopment team at 773.328.7040 or ERP@cntenergy.org or visit NicorGasRebates.com/economic.
For information about additional offers and incentives available through the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program, visit NicorGasRebates.com.
Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program offers are available on a first come, first served basis. This offer is subject to change or termination without notice at the discretion of the Economic Redevelopment Program. The Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program is a multi-year program funded by Nicor Gas ratepayers in compliance with state law through a small charge identified on bills as “Energy Program.”