No-Cost Investment Grade Energy Audits | Columbus Region Green Fund

The Columbus Region Green Fund (CRGF) is now accepting applications from building owners and operators in Columbus, Ohio for no-cost investment grade energy audits. 

Why do I need an Energy Audit?

Your building is likely leaving money on the table, and a no-cost energy audit is a great start on the path to energy efficiency upgrades that can improve your energy costs and lower your emissions. Through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and the City of Columbus, CRGF is offering qualifying building owners and operators a comprehensive investment grade energy audit at no charge. That means rigorous data collection and detailed savings projections, so you can stop guessing about your building’s energy performance and start acting on it!

How does this work?

Through this program, qualifying organizations receive a comprehensive investment grade energy audit at no cost. Every audit delivers rigorous data collection, energy modeling, and financial analysis, producing a detailed report with savings projections, implementation costs, and payback analysis for each recommended improvement. 

Once an application is reviewed and approved, CRGF will assign a certified auditing vendor to your building. Your assigned vendor will contact you directly to begin scoping the audit and coordinating next steps. 

Following the audit, CRGF works directly with building owners to navigate financing options for recommended capital improvements. This includes guidance on available grants, low-cost nonprofit and municipal financing mechanisms such as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing, and conventional commercial financing — helping your organization identify the right path to move from audit recommendations to implemented improvements. 

What buildings are eligible?

Eligible buildings include commercial office buildings, retail facilities, healthcare and educational institutions, government and civic buildings, multifamily residential properties, nonprofit facilities, and any building subject to the City of Columbus Building Energy Benchmarking and Reporting Ordinance in Columbus, Ohio. Buildings should be around 50,000 square feet. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all program funding has been allocated.