Our Electrification Design Assistance program provides funding for the engineering design work needed to implement larger, more complex holistic building electrification projects. We’ll provide incentives for building owners to work with architects and engineering firms to design for electrification so you can go into project implementation with confidence. The program will consider providing incentives for engineering design deliverables such as:
- Construction documents (CDs)
- Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) drawings
- Technical and financial analysis
The primary focus of the Electrification Design Assistance program is to support the engineering design work needed so your electrification project is shovel-ready and can apply for funding from partner organizations such as:
The maximum award for the Electrification Design Assistance program is $25,000 per building, capped at 75% of the total engineering design cost for standard buildings and 100% of the total engineering design cost for Equity Priority Buildings.
Pre-approval is required. Applications will be open until June 30, 2026. Applications will be awarded on a first come, first served basis, based on the scoring rubric. The program may reopen later in 2026 based on available funds and lessons learned from the first round.
Program Eligibility
To be eligible for Electrification Design Assistance program, you must confirm that your building is a commercial or multifamily building located in the City and County of Denver.
The program is focused on larger, more complex holistic building electrification projects such as heat pumps for space and/or water heating, but we know there are some buildings who want to design for other clean energy projects at the same time. EV chargers, solar PV, and other clean energy projects could be considered “add ons” to the electrification project’s engineering design.
Examples of engineering design work the program is focused on funding:
- Multifamily affordable housing replacing a central gas boiler with 100 mini-splits
- Office building replacing a central gas boiler with VRF systems
- Fully electric new construction
Examples of engineering design work the program is NOT focused on funding:
- Single piece of HVAC/water heating equipment
- Electrification feasibility reports
- ASHRAE Level 2 energy audits
Know what to expect as you move through the program.
Before You Apply
We encourage building owners to work with their selected engineering firm to fill out the application form. However, the building owner must be the one to submit the application.
Before you start your application, you should gather the required documents to show your eligibility and get preapproved.
Your application will require the following documents to show eligibility and grant you preapproval:
We recommend that you gather these documents before you begin your application. This will ensure a smooth and timely review of your application materials.
Engineering Design Proposal Requirements
At a minimum, the design work proposal should include:
- Description of existing building systems:
- Building’s gross floor area in square feet
- Details about the building's space heating, water heating, and AC, including:
- Fuel Source
- Equipment Type
- Approximate Age
- Equipment Condition
- Primary proposed electrification measures:
- Which heat pump equipment type(s) will the engineering design work evaluate?
- Additional engineering work:
- Has an electrician or engineer assessed capacity for electrification?
- Do you expect this project to require an Xcel Energy service upgrade?
- What projects is the engineering design is evaluating, such as:
- Load reduction
- Heat recovery
- Energy generation and storage
- Grid integration and demand management
- Additional electrification measures
- Project timeline and milestones:
- What is the expected timeline for project implementation?
- Total project cost and payment schedule
- Proof of capital funds or finance plan for the future equipment purchase and installation
Ready to Apply?
- Ensure that the engineering design proposal from your selected engineer covers the topics listed above.
- Double check that you have gathered all of the required documentation, listed above.
- Complete the application with all requested information, and submit it through the application portal
Start Your Application
- Denver will review your application to verify your eligibility.
- Once Denver verifies your eligibility, your application will be scored according to the rubric below. Please note: Funding for this program is limited, and we do not expect to be able to fund all applications.
- We will evaluate and prioritize applications based on:
- Market Alignment
- Decarbonization Impact
- Project Readiness
- Equity Priority Building Status
- If your project receives a high score, Denver will send out a Pre-Approval Letter indicating your Design Assistance Incentive amount.
- Once preapproved, building owners work with their engineering firm to complete the design work needed.
- Upon completion, you will send the engineering design deliverables for Denver review and approval.
- Ensure that the engineering deliverables meet the requirements, listed below.
- Denver will complete review of the design work and, if there are no questions, approve the design work.
- The engineering firm should provide their final invoice and Denver will pay out the preapproved incentive to the building owner
Market Alignment (40 points):
- Is the project working to get engineering design work completed for technologies that are aligned with available incentives, tax credits and other financing mechanisms?
- Does the intended approach or solution plan to use proven technologies that are readily available for implementation?
Decarbonization Impact (40 points):
- Elimination of fossil-fuel equipment and/or gas service to the building/campus
- Use of all-electric systems
Project Readiness (10 points):
- Current systems or equipment are at end of life or aligned with significant remodel
Equity Priority Status (10 points):
- Building is designated as an Equity Priority Building
- Project is intended to electrify regulated affordable housing
Ensure that if you are selected for the program, you are able to follow the rules to avoid delays or other issues.
Program Applicants
This funding is available to building owners contracting with designers or engineers who can provide eligible services.
Building owners are responsible for the accuracy of the information in the application form, and building owners must agree to the program’s rules, terms, and conditions in order to receive the incentive. We encourage building owners to work with their selected engineering firm to fill out and submit the application form.
Applications must be seeking assistance with design or engineering for HVAC and/or water heating electrification. In addition, the design work can consider commercial kitchen electrification, solar, and/or electric vehicle charging.
Engineering Design Deliverables
Upon completion, in addition to the items included in the engineering design work proposal (see previous page), the engineering design work deliverables should include the following elements:
Technical Analysis
- Heating and cooling load calculations per ASHRAE methodology
- Annual energy analysis showing baseline and projected energy use (kBtu/sq ft/yr)
- Electrical load capacity analysis (building side and utility side)
- Peak demand analysis and utility rate impact assessment
- Indoor air quality and ventilation analysis
Equipment & Systems
- Proposed electrification measures with equipment specifications
- Rebate eligibility analysis (Xcel Energy, DRCOG, Colorado Energy Office, federal)
- Controls and automation strategy
- Refrigerant specifications (type and GWP)
Financial Analysis
- Project cost estimate (±20-25% accuracy) including equipment, installation, and electrical upgrades
- Simple payback analysis and/or
- Life cycle cost analysis (20-year NPV recommended)
- Available incentives and financing options summary
Implementation
- Professional Engineer (PE)-stamped MEP drawings and other documents required for permitting in Denver
- Construction documents suitable for contractor bidding for work to be completed by licensed professionals
- Project implementation schedule
- Construction phasing plan for occupied buildings (if applicable)
- Commissioning plan outline
- Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions baseline and projected reduction
Optional (Recommended)
- Measurement and verification (M&V) plan outline
- Phased decarbonization roadmap (if requested by owner)
General Program Terms
Funding is reserved only after participant receives preapproval from Denver.
Award recipients must agree to additional program terms and conditions contained in the award contract. These terms are subject to change.
Engineering design work must be completed and submitted within 6 months of preapproval date.
Misrepresentation in this application may result in forfeiture of funding.
Program terms, procedures, and funding levels are subject to change without notice and are subject to available funds.
Denver reserves the right to approve, limit, or deny participation at its discretion.
Engineering work must be performed by qualified individuals with appropriate experience.
The engineering firm must maintain impartiality towards equipment suppliers and brands.
Proposed equipment must meet applicable Denver Energy Code requirements.
The building owner is responsible for contracting directing the work of the engineering firm.
Denver may limit future funding if participants fail to submit completed work or do not implement recommended measures.
The City and County of Denver, its appointed and elected officials, employees, affiliates, and agents including its program implementors assume no responsibility for the performance, quality, safety, operational capability, reliability, or any other aspect of design of the building electrification design or equipment. The applicant hereby waives and releases any and all liabilities, claims, judgments, suits, or demands for damages to persons or property against the City and County of Denver, its appointed and elected officials, employees, affiliates, and agents arising out of, resulting from, or relating to the this and/or the building electrification equipment. The City and County of Denver, its appointed and elected officials, employees, affiliates, and agents do not warrant equipment performance expressly or implicitly.