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Commercial New Construction


Earn incentives for efficient equipment and design

Our Commercial New Construction program provides grants for energy-efficient equipment and design strategies. We support business owners and developers with an array of financial incentives designed to help new commercial buildings reduce energy usage and costs. Our incentives can help you save up to 100% of your cost to exceed current energy codes.


What you get

The total value of your Commercial New Construction grant depends on your estimation approach. Not sure which option is best for you? Submit an application and a PSE engineer will assist you with the grant process.

Grant estimation approach

EUI performance method
Electric$0.45 per annual kWh
Natural gas$8 per annual therm
SavingsNo maximum

Grant applies to whole-building performance savings beyond a baseline energy use intensity (EUI) as measured by 12 months of metered consumption.

Energy modeled whole building
Electric$0.45 per annual kWh
Natural gas$8 per annual therm
SavingsNo maximum

Grant applies to equipment and installation. Proposed design is compared to code baseline or standard practice system.

Lighting power density reduction
Electric
$0.30 per annual kWh, plus $100 bonus for LLLC fixtures. Lighting must be 5% more efficient than the current WSEC.*
Savings
No maximum

TLEDs do not qualify for the Commercial New Construction Lighting Power Density reduction program, and they should be incentivized via PSE’s Lighting to Go program. *Grant applies to all lighting except residential in-unit. **Grant applies to interior LLLC fixtures and their installation.

Custom component approach
Electric$0.45 per annual kWh
Natural gas$8 per annual therm
SavingsUp to 100% of the cost to build beyond current energy code or standard practice

Grant applies to energy-efficient equipment that saves energy above WSEC. Incentive amount compared to code baseline or standard practice system, subject to PSE cost-effectiveness standards. Examples include condensing boilers, heat recovery, demand control ventilation, etc.


How you qualify

To be eligible for PSE's Commercial New Construction program:

  • Your business site must be within PSE's electric and/or gas service area.
  • Your business site must be for commercial or industrial use.
  • The project must be in the design or construction phase.
  • The project must be reviewed by PSE staff before a grant is guaranteed.

A PSE engineer will review your application and coordinate meetings between PSE and your team to review design decisions and project specifics. Your project's design details are reviewed so PSE can determine your eligibility, make energy-efficiency recommendations and estimate your grant value.



How you apply

If you know which option you'd like to pursue, submit the following along with your online application. These documents can be uploaded into the online application form from the Supporting Documents section.

Grant
Estimation
Approach
Requirements Documentation
to Submit
Resources
EUI performance method
  • Building type must be included on the Department of Commerce target EUI list (see guidelines document)
  • Must save 10% compared to the Department of Commerce baseline EUI
  • Building types
  • Building gross square footage (if mixed use provide square footage for each building type)
  • List of proposed energy-efficiency measures that exceed code
EUI Performance Method Program Details
Energy modeled whole building
  • Building must be at least 50,000 square feet* with a proposed and baseline energy model
  • Must save 10% compared to permitted code

*Some exceptions permitted at PSE’s discretion
  • Proposed and baseline energy model (follow modeling guidelines)
  • Permitted WSEC
  • Mechanical, lighting and architectural building plans
  • Narrative of proposed energy-efficiency measures that exceed code
  • Narrative of any irregularities in energy model
PSE Energy Modeling Guidelines
Lighting power density reduction
  • Lighting must be 5% more efficient than the current WSEC
  • All proposed lighting must be included EXCEPT residential in-unit
  • TLEDs do not qualify, but can be incentivized via PSE’s Lighting to Go program
  • PSE Business Lighting Application
  • Square footage verification (building plans)
  • Proposed fixture cut sheets (must show UL or ETL listing, Power Factor greater than or equal to 0.90, warranty of at least five years, and total input wattage)
PSE Business Lighting Application
Custom approach (non-lighting)
  • Equipment must exceed the current WSEC requirements
  • Project must meet PSE’s cost-effectiveness standards
  • Proposed equipment cost estimate
  • Equivalent code required minimum efficiency equipment cost estimate
  • Estimated savings if available
  • Proposed equipment spec sheet
Examples include condensing boilers, heat recovery, demand control ventilation, high-efficiency HVAC, etc.

Additional information

Watch this video to learn more

Hear from Taylor Pitts, our Commercial New Construction program manager, to learn more about this program and how it can help you. This video is a recording of a Coffee and Conversation virtual event from February 2023.

PSE has additional incentives for multi-family, single family, and manufactured homes. Visit our new construction grants page for more information.




Questions? Get in touch with an Energy Advisor.


business energy resources
Ask an Energy Advisor

For personalized advice, contact an Energy Advisor.

Or call 1-800-562-1482.

Resources
Case studies

Schilling Cider: Custom energy-recovery system produces industrial-size savings for this new construction project.


Swedish Medical Center: See how PSE helps build savings into new buildings.