Frequently Asked Questions

Note that having “Denver” in your postal address does not guarantee that your business is within City/County limits, please use  the Denver Address Locator to verify that you are within the City/County boundary.

Business Incentives

Businesses located in the City and County of Denver that are interested in increasing their energy efficiency can participate in the Denver Energy Challenge. Rebates for energy efficiency projects are currently available for participating businesses. Click on Rebates & Financing for more details.

Small Business Support and Incentives

• Education 
• Support Services 
• Free basic lighting upgrades 
• Rebates & Financial Incentives

For more information on these services, please click here.

Once you sign up for the Denver Energy Challenge an energy advisor will contact you to discuss your energy saving goals. Energy advisors are a free, neutral resource and are available to assist you at any point when making your energy improvements. They can provide assistance through:

1. Initial Phone Call or Home Visit

Your Energy Advisor will contact you within 3-4 business days after signing up in order to determine what energy saving goals/interests you have. They are available to make a home visit and do a visual inspection which may include looking at mechanical systems (water heater/furnace), major appliances, electronics, areas that could be adding to the draftiness of your home including windows, doors, basement, and lighting. *Please note this walk-through is not the same as a comprehensive home audit provided through a certified rater. If you have already had an energy audit, your advisor can help you review the findings and break it down into simple, actionable steps.

2. Answer Questions and Provide Education

Your advisor will help educate you about other ways that you can reduce your home energy use through measures such as the use of programmable thermostats, Smartstrips/ power strips, and other simple behavioral changes.

3. Create a Plan of Action 

After your initial conversation/home visit or a review of your home audit, your advisor can help you create a plan of action, prioritizing measures with quick paybacks to help you save money and energy in your home.

4. Assistance with Rebates and Other Incentives

Your advisor can review available rebates and incentives and assist with completion of the paperwork. This process does not have to be as overwhelming as it may seem!

5. Finding Contractors

Your advisor can help you locate contractors to complete your energy improvements, as well as evaluate and compare bids/estimates if necessary. Your advisor can also be present when contractors are completing the work.

6. Follow up

Your advisor will follow up with you to track your energy improvements and is available to answer any questions you may have during this process.

Note that having “Denver” in an address does not guarantee that your home is within City/County limits, use the Denver Address Locator to verify that you are within the City/County boundary.

In order to determine what you may or may not qualify for, please sign up online and an energy advisor will contact you. If you are a renter and qualify for any existing income qualified resources you can still participate in the Challenge. Unfortunately at this time these are the only available options for renter's. Thank you for your patience as we continue to seek out opportunities that may include non-income qualified renter's in the program.

The Denver Energy Challenge does not provide any free energy improvement services however there are many organizations in the Denver area that do provide free services. Click here for more info. 

Denver Energy Challenge Advisors strive to make your home more efficient, comfortable and safe. Please see our full Safety Guide for details.

The process varies depending on the size of the attic, but typically crews will be in your home all day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

You are required to be present when the work crews show up to answer any questions or sign any forms, but you may leave after.

2012 Residential

• Insulation and air sealing, 40% of project cost up to $375
• Furnace replacement (must be Energy Efficienct), $250

2012 Commercial

• $5,000 cap on projects.

Please visit rebate pages for Residential and/or Business for further details.

The Denver Energy Challenge does not have a qualified contractor list. 

• Contractors may sign up via website to receive updates about the program (rebates, new financing options, etc).
• If a contractor is offering rebates through the Denver Energy Challenge they must make sure that businesses and/or residents sign up before work begins in order to qualify for rebates.
• In addition, contractors must be licensed within the City and County of Denver and ensure that permits are pulled for projects.