Commercial New Construction (Iowa)
Energy-efficient buildings use less energy and cost less to operate
Our Commercial New Construction (CNC) program provides free energy design assistance and financial incentives to help offset the cost of implementing energy-efficient strategies. The program is available to Iowa businesses that have new construction, additions or renovation projects not yet in the design phase.
See the Commercial New Construction program process in action.
Program overview
Streamlined energy design assistance
For buildings over 3,000 square feet (subject to building type limitations)
This program provides time-sensitive energy efficiency consulting through an online tool for simpler projects. By answering a series of questions, the online tool guides the user in selection of energy efficiency strategies and qualifies the project for energy efficiency incentives. Building types over 3,000 square feet are eligible (subject to building type limitations).
Energy design assistance
For buildings over 5,000 square feet
This program provides consultant-led collaborative design meetings using interactive, live energy modeling to evaluate up to three mechanical systems and dozens of energy efficiency strategies applicable to the building type.
Enhanced energy design assistance
For projects with aggressive energy efficiency goals, typically energy savings of 40% or greater compared to energy code
This consultant-led program evaluates up to three mechanical systems and dozens of energy efficiency strategies. In addition, the following services are available.
- Daylighting analysis
- Operational carbon analysis and solar PV analysis
- Mechanical system life cycle cost analysis
This service is appropriate for projects seeking to reach net-zero energy or net-zero carbon, or projects that seek certification through a rating system such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or the Living Building Challenge. We encourage you to apply when your project is in predesign or early schematic design stage to qualify.
Construction rebates
We pay construction rebates to the building owner to reduce the initial cost of energy-saving strategies. We will verify the building owner implements the strategy. Rebates are based on the electric savings modeled. The more energy you save, the more money you can earn.
Customer rebates
Electric customer rebate range
The range is six cents per kilowatt-hour for 5% energy savings up to 17 cents per kilowatt-hour for 40% energy savings above the Iowa Energy Code.
Design team incentives
We pay design team incentives to the building designer or architect to help offset the cost of program participation.
Multifamily
Multifamily is defined as more than three units in one building shell, three stories or less, located on one lot. Multifamily new construction or major renovation projects with commercial and residential mixed usage are now eligible to participate in the Commercial New Construction program, subject to screening and approval.
Additional information
All funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is subject to budget restrictions.