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Performing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades represent key steps in the path toward energy efficiency for small businesses.

HVAC upgrades can reduce operating expenses and monthly utility bills, improve the health and comfort of employees and customers, and make businesses more environmentally sustainable while also meeting evolving energy efficiency requirements.

Some business owners avoid making HVAC upgrades because they are either unfamiliar with the technology or because they think the upgrades will be too expensive. However, the technology has grown increasingly simple, and there are energy efficiency financing options available to defray upfront costs and lock in long-term savings.

HVAC products that qualify for rebates

Many pieces of HVAC equipment qualify for energy efficiency financing from Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).¹ These include:

• Central natural gas furnaces: Available with or without built-in variable speed motors (VSM), central natural gas furnaces come with rebates ranging from $150-$300 per unit. This technology provides high annual fuel utilization efficiency that will reduce your energy use and costs.
• Replacement multiple-speed brushless permanent magnet blower motors: For $50 per unit, you can replace your existing, inefficient blower with this super-efficient new alternative.
• Variable frequency drives (VFD) for HVAC fans: Upgrade your existing HVAC supply, return or exhaust air fans with a VFD that regulates fan speeds based on need, instead of operating at a constant rate. Get a rebate of $80 per unit of horsepower the VFD uses.
• Advanced digital economizer control (ADEC) systems for packaged HVAC units: By retrofitting your existing or nonfunctional economizer with an ADEC, you can always have your finger on the pulse of your HVAC unit’s various components and ensure energy efficient operations. It’s also easy to fit into your energy efficiency budgeting with a rebate of up to $300 per ADEC system.
• Demand control ventilation (DCV) for packaged HVAC units: A DCV uses CO₂ controls to sense room occupancy, then regulates the flow of outside air accordingly. Get rebates of up to $100 per ton.
• Enhanced ventilation control (EVC) for packaged HVAC units: Also great for highly variable or low occupancy areas, an EVC upgrade adds variable speed, CO₂ sensors and ADECs to existing packaged HVAC units. You can even get a rebate of up to $194 per unit tonnage.
• Notched v-belts: Get rebates of up to $30 per motor when you replace solid v-belts with newer, more efficient notched v-belts.

HVAC energy efficiency financing and incentives

There are various ways to fund your energy efficiency project through PG&E: rebates, financing and incentives.²

• Rebates: Once you have upgraded to new eligible energy efficient products, PG&E will give you money. Rebates are a fast, easy way to get cash back for your HVAC upgrade.
• Incentives: Get pre-approval for your HVAC upgrade and become eligible for PG&E incentives. The more energy you save, the more money you earn.
• Energy efficiency financing: Reach out to a PG&E customer relationship manager to begin the process of getting financing for your energy efficiency project.³ You can receive a 0% interest loan for eligible projects from $5,000 to $100,000. Choose a project, confirm its eligibility and get started.

Interested in learning more about how to finance your HVAC project? Download PG&E’s eBook "Guide to Financing and Energy Efficiency Projects."

Referenced in article:

1. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PDF, 1.85 MB)
2. Pacific Gas and Electric Company
3. Pacific Gas and Electric Company
4. Pacific Gas and Electric Company
5. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PDF, 1.85 MB)
6. Pacific Gas and Electric Company