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 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!
Program Overview
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. Funding is based on reimbursement of actual costs of making the energy upgrades.
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.
Take a look at "Who can apply" to see if your organization is eligible to receive financial support to make energy efficiency and resiliency upgrades!
Who Can Apply
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.
Eligibility Requirements for Projects and Reimbursement Grants
Projects that are eligible for the Energy Conservation Assistance Program matching reimbursement grants include, but not limited to:
Energy assessments, also known as an 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
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.
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
up 1 application each year without an energy audit
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 an ASHRAE Level 2 audit requirements or similar
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% or up to $5,000
75% cost share or up to $5,000 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.
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 located 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 located 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.
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.
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.
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 energy solutions or enhancing the resilience of structures and property to withstand the impacts of climate change.
