Commercial Program

Better Business Challenge Wrapping Up

With over 100 businesses enrolled, the Better Business Challenge has been a tremendous success! We are getting ready to begin the judging in preparation for our awards ceremony in June. Special thank you to our participating businesses and sponsors. Click here for more information.

Energy Improvements for Commercial Property Owners

Many commercial property owners are interested in cost effective ways to lower their ongoing operational expenses - such as energy and water bills. Money saved on utility bills can be used to offset financing for improvements such that over time, the improvements pay for themselves. From that point forward, the business has just increased its positive cashflow. How can your business benefit? Get in touch with LEAP to learn more.

How our Program Works

The basic elements of our commercial program include:

• Benchmarking services - LEAP staff will work with you to collect information needed to compare your building's energy use to others that are similar in size and scope (office, retail, church, school, etc.). We use EPA's Portfolio Manager software to provide you with an energy score to help you understand if you are wasting a little or a lot of money unnecessarily to energy costs.
   
• Energy Treasure Hunt and Presentation - LEAP will also visit your business to perform an Energy Treasure Hunt, which is really an assessment of low and no cost ways you could be saving money. This assessment may include interviews with your staff to discuss their comfort in the workplace and habits that impact energy and water use. LEAP will then work with you to put together an informative presentation for your company to discuss what we found.
   
• Scoping or Investment Grade Energy Assessment - For those property owners who are ready to take the next step and have their building inspected by a professional, LEAP has pre-qualified local contractors who can perform these services for you. This more comprehensive assessment will inform a work scope and bid for improvements.
   
• Installation of Improvements - Energy improvement measures may include commissioning, air sealing, insulation, HVAC upgrades, lighting improvements and more. LEAP will work with you and your contractor to make sure you take advantage of any available tax credits or rebates for which you are eligible.

There are also some great financing options available through our partner, the UVA Community Credit Union. LEAP works with the Credit Union for our residential program, and they understand the value making energy improvements brings to a commercial enterprise.

Don't wait to take advantage of our free, unbiased, and professional services. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to discuss your needs and concerns!

Local Contractors Selected to Support Commercial Program

Three local contracting companies have been selected to provide energy assessments and building improvements to commercial property owners as part of the Local Energy Alliance Program’s (LEAP) new commercial program. The companies – Albemarle Heating and Air, Alexander Nicholson (with 2rw), and ColonialWebb – were selected in a competitive Request for Qualifications process and bring to the table a range of energy services and general contracting experience.

Read the press release.

• All of the firms selected have engineers on staff or as part of their team to perform cost effective energy assessments for commercial buildings – regardless of the size or complexity of those buildings. They can also offer retro-commissioning services (making sure the building’s systems are actually performing as intended to) and fix them if they are not. If a building owner is interested in having a walk through assessment done of their building, these companies will also provide that. 

• LEAP will facilitate the process by helping building owners or occupants benchmark the building’s energy use so they have a sense of the opportunity for energy improvements and payback potential on their investment.


• For re-purposed residential housing under 10,000sf – such as a law office in a converted home – building owners can choose to work with a BPI Certified Building Analyst from LEAP’s pre-qualified Certified Contractor list for the energy assessment. They may also work with the latter for the energy improvements.

• If a building owner has already gone through an RFP process and is ready to begin work with another contractor, they may still be eligible for LEAP’s Commercial Energy Improvement Rebate if their retrofit meets our standards and criteria.