Denver requires new paperwork for gas equipment permits for commercial and multifamily buildings. Quick permits are no longer used in this process. You now need to provide extra information to the city to permit natural gas heating and cooling equipment. Most permits will go through the full review process. The Electrification Feasibility Report is one option you have to meet this new rule.
Who Does this Apply To?
This requirement applies to all existing commercial and multifamily buildings in Denver. The Denver Energy Code Commercial Provisions regulate these buildings. This includes commercial buildings, multifamily apartment buildings, and multifamily condominium buildings.
Single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, and townhomes are not subject to these rules. Not sure what kind of building you are working on? Check out this graphic(PDF, 63KB) to help you. If you prefer, you can read a text version(PDF, 146KB) of the graphic instead. If you have additional questions about what type of building you are in, please email atarchstruc.review@denvergov.org.
What is an Electrification Feasibility Report (EFR)?
The EFR helps you assess the practicality and cost of switching from gas to electric equipment.
It will tell you:
- The estimated energy consumption of the gas and electric replacement systems
- The estimated energy and carbon savings for switching to an electric system
- The estimated energy bills with the gas and electric replacement systems
- The estimated costs for installing a replacement gas and electric system
You can use the EFR to make an informed choice about whether to convert a building's heating and cooling systems to electric. You will find out whether it is cost-effective compared to a like-for-like gas system.
Filling Out the Electrification Feasibility Report
Some building owners may be able to complete the report on their own. However, most owners will need to work with a contractor, engineer, or energy consultant. This professional will provide information about:
- The types and costs of both gas and electric replacement equipment
- The building's utility rate structure
- Site-specific information on electrical, ductwork, or space constraints
We encourage building owners to refer to the list of contractors who completed our in-person or online training. These contractors are not preferred, and we have not vetted their work. They have attended our training and passed our comprehension quiz. Do you want to get onto that list? Complete the online training and quiz.
We have incentives to help offset the cost of completing an EFR with a contractor.
Submitting the Electrification Feasibility Report
Submitting an EFR to the City and County of Denver is easy.
- Complete the report using the online tool
- Denver will review and approve the report you submit.
- You will receive a PDF copy of the report.
- Attach this PDF report to the online permit application.
That's it! If you have trouble figuring out where to submit the completed EFR after Denver has reviewed it, please reach out to us.
To request access to the Electrification Feasibility Report tool, you will need to complete the short Contractor Access Request Form. You will receive a confirmation email following submission. Once the request has been reviewed, you will receive a second email indicating whether you have been Approved or Denied access to the tool. Please contact denverelectrification@michaelsenergy.com or call us at (720) 782-7661 if you have questions or run into issues.
Request Access to the Electrification Feasibility Report Tool
Once you’ve been granted access to the Electrification Feasibility Report Tool, please watch this short video about how to log in to the tool and add a building to your account:
You can use the Electrification Feasibility Report Pre-Site Visit Checklist(PDF, 61KB) (Spanish version(PDF, 91KB)) to help you and the building owner prepare for an Electrification Feasibility Report. The checklist has both “must-have” and “nice-to-have” items listed. “Must-have” items are required to effectively complete the Electrification Feasibility Report. They should be addressed before beginning the Electrification Feasibility Report process. “Nice to have” items can be helpful, but we do not require them before the site visit. You can collect these items at a later time or during the site visit.
"Must Have" Items include:
- Total building square footage and square feet estimate of the area being served by the piece of equipment you are replacing.
- Access to mechanical system spaces for equipment being replaced. This may include roof and basement access as well as relevant mechanical rooms.
- Access to electrical rooms.
- If access is not permitted into a space where the equipment is located, the individual filling out the Electrification Feasibility Report will need details on the equipment serving that space. Equipment nameplate information is best.
- Gas and electric rate structure as identified on the building owner’s utility gas and electric bill.
"Nice to Have" Items include:
- Building floor plans
- Facility MEP drawings and mechanical schedules
- Electric service breaker capacity and an understanding of circuit capacities serving specific equipment being evaluated for replacement
- An understanding of existing electrical service capacity
Working with the building owner to gather and prepare this information ahead of time will make for a smooth site visit and help you to effectively complete the Electrification Feasibility Report.
According to the rules for the Electrification Feasibility Report Rebate, contractors must invoice Michaels Energy for the cost of the Electrification Feasibility Report and may not invoice the building owner. The invoice must include the following:
- Contractor Business Name, Address, and Phone Number
- Customer Name and Address
- Quantity of Electrification Feasibility Reports you are completing
- Equipment Type the Electrification Feasibility Report will be completed for
- Hours – only provide hours for completing Electrification Feasibility Report. Do not include repairs or other services, sales calls, etc.
- Hourly Rate
- Costs
You may find it helpful to check out a sample invoice(PDF, 71KB). Contractor invoices do not have to follow this exact format, but the required information must be included or it may delay or prevent rebates from being issued.