GBP Allies are organizations or companies that work directly with businesses in Fairfax County to further the mission and vision of the GBP program. On this page, we are featuring a conversation with Washington Gas.
How does your organization support businesses in Fairfax County?
Washington Gas supports businesses in Fairfax County by helping them reduce operating costs, improve energy performance, and upgrade their natural‑gas‑powered systems to higher‑efficiency technologies. Through our Commercial & Industrial Energy Efficiency Programs, we provide technical guidance, incentive funding, and project support for businesses looking to improve heating systems, water heating, ventilation, kitchen equipment, and other gas‑driven operational needs. Our goal is to help local organizations modernize infrastructure, reduce energy waste, and enhance long‑term sustainability while keeping business costs down.
Are there particular types of businesses your organization focuses on?
We work with all commercial sectors, but we see particularly strong participation from:
- Schools and universities
- Manufacturing and industrial facilities
- Multifamily buildings
- Restaurants and food service operations
- Healthcare and veterinary facilities
- Hospitality, fitness, and spa facilities
- Nonprofits and municipal/government facilities
Any Fairfax County organization that is within our qualified rate category (2,2A,3,3A) that uses natural gas for heating, hot water, or process loads is eligible for support.
What resources does your organization offer to support sustainable business practices in Fairfax County?
Washington Gas provides a comprehensive set of energy efficiency resources including:
- Financial incentives for high‑efficiency natural gas equipment and system upgrades
- Technical assistance to identify savings opportunities and ensure projects qualify
- Education and outreach on best practices for sustainable operations
These programs help make Fairfax County a strong environment for green businesses by lowering the cost of sustainability investments and supporting long‑term carbon‑reduction goals.
What motivates businesses to adopt sustainable practices?
From our experience, the most impactful motivators are:
- Lower operating costs: High‑efficiency equipment reduces monthly energy bills.
- Incentive availability: Upfront rebates significantly lower project capital costs.
- Regulatory awareness and long‑term planning: Businesses want to stay ahead of efficiency and emissions goals.
- Corporate sustainability commitments: Many organizations have internal or public carbon‑reduction targets.
- Improved equipment performance: Newer, high‑efficiency systems often provide better reliability, comfort, safety, and operational control.
How does the Green Business Partners mission align with your organization’s mission?
The GBP mission aligns closely with Washington Gas’s commitment to supporting cost‑effective, energy‑efficient, and environmentally responsible natural gas usage. Our programs are designed to help customers reduce energy waste, modernize equipment, and improve overall sustainability. Becoming a Green Business Partner furthers our goal of collaborating with local businesses, municipalities, and institutions to support a thriving, energy‑efficient Fairfax County.
What is something more Fairfax County businesses could benefit from if they knew about it?
Many businesses are unaware that Washington Gas offers meaningful financial incentives for upgrading equipment they already plan to replace such as boilers, water heaters, kitchen equipment, ventilation systems, and industrial process heating. These incentives can substantially reduce project costs, and the application process is straightforward. Increased awareness would unlock significant energy and cost savings for organizations across the County.
Anything else you’d like to highlight?
Washington Gas is committed to being an active sustainability partner in Fairfax County. Our role in these programs is to support businesses, reduce energy consumption, and help high‑performance, energy‑efficient technologies become more accessible. We welcome collaboration with GBP Members and Leaders and are happy to meet with any Fairfax County business interested in exploring natural gas efficiency opportunities.
- Learn more about our programs at the Energy Savings Learning Center.
- We had a recent collaboration with Fairfax County. Read more: Washington Gas Selected for VAEEC Energizing Efficiency Leadership Award
