Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination

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703-324-7136 TTY 711
12000 Government Center Pkwy, Suite 533
Fairfax, VA 22035
John Morrill
Director

Department Resources

Energy Conservation Assistance Program

ECAP article

The Energy Conservation Assistance Program is an urban cost-share program that provides financial and technical assistance to property owners implementing energy efficiency updates, installing renewable energy solutions or enhancing the resilience of structures and property to withstand the impacts of climate change.

See information below to learn more about the program, the eligibility requirements, and the financial assistance available to your organization by applying to this program!

Learn about the Energy Conservation Assistance Program

The Energy Conservation Assistance Program provides technical assistance and matching reimbursement grants to qualifying organizations for energy conservation and resilience projects on the organization’s property. Organizations must commit to 50% of the cost of the project with the county providing a 50% reimbursement of actual costs of making the energy upgrades – up to a maximum of $15,000 per year. Organizations located in an equity-designated area may only need to contribute 25% of the project costs with the county providing a 75% reimbursement grant. Please see the FAQs section for more information.

Applications may be submitted any time of the year from July 1 to June 30. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and approved based on available funding. Funding for the program will be evaluated each year as part of the Fairfax County budget process. Applications must be submitted and approved prior to implementing or making a purchase of equipment, supplies, or services for the project. Purchases made prior to notification of approval by the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination may void any eligibility for reimbursement.

The program is managed by the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC) with support from the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (NVSWCD). Through a memorandum of understanding between Fairfax County and NVSWCD, OEEC administers and funds the program while NVSWCD issues the reimbursement grants. 

Projects eligible for the Energy Conservation Assistance program must be approved for reimbursement prior to being completed or purchased. Reimbursement grants will not be given to projects retroactively.

Take a look at the FAQs and "Who Can Apply" to see if your organization is eligible to receive financial support to make energy efficiency and resiliency upgrades! Learn more about the Energy Conservation Assistance Program through our One Pager (PDF).

Organizations qualify for funding if they meet ALL of the following criteria:

  • Must be a common-interest community (e.g., a homeowners or condominium owners association), nonprofit recreational association or organization, nonprofit organization that promotes energy efficiency or provides energy efficiency services, nonprofit association or organization furnishing services to beautify or maintain communities to prevent deterioration, or charitable institution or association, including organizations with a religious status that will use such funds to provide community services for secular purposes located in Fairfax County (includes Town of Herndon and Town of Vienna).
  • Must be making improvements to facilities or property owned by the organization.
  • Must be able to demonstrate participation from the community or organization and a 50% match for energy projects.

An organization may submit an application anytime during the calendar year and projects will be accepted if they meet eligibility requirements and funding is available. At this time, private property owners such as homeowners and businesses are not eligible to apply to the program. For questions about eligibility, please contact oeecinfo@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Projects that are eligible for the Energy Conservation Assistance Program matching reimbursement grants include, but not limited to:

  • Energy audits
  • Energy efficient lighting, including LED lightbulb replacement
  • Weatherization, including building sealing and caulking
  • Occupancy sensors
  • Smart thermostats
  • HVAC upgrades
  • ENERGY STAR® Appliance upgrades
  • Window replacements
  • Solar Panels
  • Cool Roofs
  • Other*

* Note: Other projects may be submitted for consideration if the applicant demonstrates improved building or site resiliency, energy efficiency or reduced energy use as a result of the project.

The reimbursement grant is based on the estimate provided with the application. If the actual cost is higher than the estimate, the organization will only receive the amount approved at the time of application. If the actual cost is lower, the reimbursement amount may be reduced.

There is a maximum reimbursement amount of $15,000 per organization per year. The total amount of reimbursement may be from multiple projects in a single application. 

See the table below for project categories and additional description of eligibility requirements and reimbursement amounts.
 
A qualifying organization may submit:

  • up to two (2) applications each year to include an energy audit (category 1) plus one additional application (category 2, 3 or 4), 

Or

  • up to two (2) applications in categories 2, 3 or 4 if an energy audit was completed within the last two years. 

Or

  • 1 application each year without an energy audit

Once the application is approved by the OEEC, the organization may purchase the service, equipment or supplies for the project. The applicant will then submit invoices by email to oeecinfo@fairfaxcounty.gov. OEEC will notify the applicant within 5 business days upon receipt of the invoices and payment issued within approximately 45 days.

 

Project Category Eligibility Requirements for Projects Reimbursement Amount
1. Energy Audit: Have a certified, professional energy auditor perform an assessment and report on the eligible property.
  • Completed within two years by a certified, professional energy auditor.
  • At a minimum comply with ASHRAE Level 2 audit requirements or similar requirements and must include 2 years of monthly energy data for the facility(ies)
  • Submit copy of the energy audit with application
  • Eligible for an additional reimbursement grant based on audit recommendations within same year.
  • Applicants will receive half of the reimbursement of total audit cost when audit is completed and remaining reimbursement of 50% of the audit cost or up to $5,000 upon installation of at least one energy conservation measure recommended from the audit.
  • 50% reimbursement or up to $5,000 
  • 75% reimbursement or up to $5,000 if the community property is in a designated equity area as identified by the One Fairfax Vulnerability Index or EPA's Justice 40 area.
2. Energy Efficiency and Conservation Projects: Upgrade your community’s energy conservation to reduce energy consumption and increase energy conservation. Please see the list of eligible projects.
  • Energy Star certified equipment or materials, or other rating than meets similar energy efficiency ratings
  • 50% of reimbursement or up to $10,000 
  • 75% of reimbursement or up to $10,000 if the community property is in a designated equity area as identified by the One Fairfax Vulnerability Index or EPA's Justice 40 area.
3. Clean Energy/Renewable Energy: Electrify your community’s energy use with the installation of clean energy alternatives.
  • Installed by a certified professional
  • Installed solar array/system provides a minimum offset of 20% of total energy usage for the designated structure.
  • One application for category 3 or category 4 of reimbursement is eligible per year (July 1 – June 30)
  • 50% or up to $10,000 of the total cost 
  • 75% of reimbursement or up to $10,000 if the community property is in a designated equity area as identified by the One Fairfax Vulnerability Index or EPA's Justice 40 area
4. Resilience Projects:
Example projects include: Battery storage, Cool roofs, or others as submitted for consideration
  • Battery storage is used as backup power and is sized to serve as a community resource such as a resilient hub or cooling center, and/or that the battery storage is controlled to shave peak demand off the building. Battery installation for backup of emergency circuits (egress lighting, critical life safety systems, maybe refrigerators, maybe IT) is not eligible as this is a current building requirement.
  • Cool roofs (or buildings roofs covered with light-reflecting materials or paints) may be an eligible project in this category to reduce building energy use for cooling. A cool roof is designed and installed that meet EPA guidance, LEED associated standards, or similar with provided documentation.
  • One application for category 3 or category 4 of reimbursement is eligible per year (July 1 – June 30)
  • 50% or up to $10,000 of the total cost 
  • 75% of reimbursement or up to $10,000 if the community property is located in a designated equity area as identified by the One Fairfax Vulnerability Index or EPA's Justice 40 area.

 

  • Does the application need to be approved before the organization implements the proposed project?
    Yes, the organization must receive approval via an email notification from Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination before any purchases are made for the proposed project. Purchases made prior to notification of approval by the Office of Environmental and Energy coordination may void any eligibility for reimbursement. Reimbursement grants are not provided retroactively for projects that did not go through the application and approval process.
     
  • Our organization is interested in an energy audit. How many applications may be submitted each year?
    An organization may submit two applications each year if one application is for a Level 2 ASHRAE Energy Audit or similar. A second application may be submitted if the proposed project is a recommendation from the energy audit. The energy audit should be included as part of the second application. An organization may submit two applications each year if a Level 2 ASHRAE Energy Audit (or similar) has been completed in the past two years. The proposed projects must be recommendations as a result of the energy audit and the energy audit should be submitted with the application. An organization may submit one application if an energy audit is not available or was completed more than two years ago.
     
  • What if our energy audit was completed more than 2 years ago (based on the date of application)? How many applications may our organization submit this year?
    If an energy audit was completed more than 2 years ago, an organization may submit one application per year.
     
  • Can an application include more than one project? 
    An organization may include multiple projects in a single application. However, an application for an audit must be a separate application. The maximum amount of reimbursement provided to any organization each year is $15,000 (i.e, Up to $5,000 for an energy audit and up to $10,000 for a energy efficiency, clean energy or resilience project).
     
  • How does an organization know if the project is located within a designated equity area and be eligible for 75% reimbursement rather than 50%?
    The applicant may contact the Office of Environmental and Energy Conservation via email to oeecinfo@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-324-7136. Or the applicant will be notified upon review of the application by OEEC.
     
  • When should we expect to learn if our application was approved or not?
    The Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination will review applications once received. Staff will contact applicants if additional information to support the application is required within 5-10 business days. Once an application is received and deemed complete, OEEC will notify the applicant within 10 business days.
     
  • Does the application require quotes for the proposed project?
    A minimum of two quotes are recommended for the proposed project, but not required. The Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination has the right to request additional quotes from the applicant. If the contractor is vetted through a third-party organization, additional quotes may not be needed.

Mapping Resources

Government Rebates and Incentives (Federal, State, County)

Utility Rebates and Incentives

Energy Efficiency and Resilience Product Information

ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager

Ready to apply to the Energy Conservation Assistance Program?

To submit an application, qualifying organizations should use the application form along with the following supporting documents:

  • Letter(s) of support from property owner to include site/problem description, how the project was identified, scope of project, equipment quantities, operating hours, location, and statement of support and willingness to commit funds for implementation. Include any pictures to support the application. 
  • Budget and/or contractor bids or quotes
  • Energy audit (as applicable)
Submit an Application

The Energy Conservation Assistance Program started in fiscal year 2016 and has provided $44,338.13 in support of 11 energy projects as of September 2023. In total, these projects have resulted in more than $400,000 in energy audits and efficiency upgrades.

  • Westbriar Condominiums, Providence District: A reimbursement grant of $5,000 helped the condo association replace all of the fluorescent light fixtures in the association garages, stairwells and utility rooms with LED bulbs and occupancy sensors in 2017 for an annual projected cost savings of approximately $50,000. The project resulted in a total investment in energy efficiency upgrades of $139,354.18.
  • Westwood Baptist Church, Springfield District: A reimbursement grant of $5,000 helped the church replace interior light fixtures and parking lot lighting with LEDs and sensors in 2019. The project resulted in a total investment in energy efficiency upgrades of $17,482.90.
  • St. Peter’s in the Woods Episcopal Church, Springfield District: An energy audit in 2020 led to a reimbursement grant of nearly $3,000 that helped the church replace weatherstripping, install LED fixtures/bulbs, and ENERGY STAR® kitchen appliances - all energy saving alternatives.  Much of the labor was provided by volunteers. The project resulted in a total investment in energy efficiency upgrades of $5,961.79.
  • Peace Lutheran Church, Mason District:  A reimbursement grant of about $800 helped the church replace 2 dishwashers with ENERGY STAR models in 2020. The project resulted in a total investment in energy efficiency upgrades of $1,639.96. 

The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District administers other cost-share programs to support projects that improve stormwater drainage and water quality, enhance native landscaping and reduce flood risk. 

Please visit the Conservation Assistance Program webpage for more information.

NVSWCD logo

 

 

photos of examples of projects as described above

Watch, Listen and Learn More

Want to learn more? Watch and listen to Neely Law, OEEC's community specialist and program manager for the Energy Conservation Assistance Program, speak more about the benefits and process of the program. 

Still Have Questions?

To learn more about the Energy Conservation Assistance Program, email to oeecinfo@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-324-7136.

To learn about the Conservation Assistance Programs managed by NVSWCD, email to conservationdistrict@fairfaxcounty.gov.

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