Alternate Compliance Options for Small Buildings
For some buildings or building types, the standard Lighting Improvement and Renewable Energy compliance pathways are difficult to implement. For these buildings, we have four Alternate Compliance Options (ACOs).
Alternate Compliance Options
There is no need to apply to use one of these ACOs. Simply follow the compliance steps and submit the appropriate documentation when you’ve completed the work.* If you’re unsure whether your project will meet requirements, please schedule a call with the Help Desk before getting started.
*If your building has multiple commercial tenants, different tenant spaces can use different options and should speak with the Help Desk before submitting paperwork. See Combining Options in Multi-Tenant Commercial Buildings below.
15% Energy Reduction ACO
Not sure if your project will qualify? Contact the Help Desk to discuss your project before getting started.
-
Gather at least 12 months of data on your building’s energy use. This can come from utility bills or other means.
-
Work with a contractor or energy auditor to identify one or more energy efficiency upgrades for your building that will result in a total energy use reduction of at least 15%.
-
The upgrade(s) must be material upgrades to the building or its equipment, such as building envelop improvements, a building automation system, or a heat pump.
-
The upgrade(s) cannot be behavioral or operational improvements.
-
-
Complete the upgrade(s) and save all invoices and receipts.
-
Fill out the ACO Compliance Form and be sure to upload:
-
A copy of the contractor’s upgrade proposal that includes predicted 15% energy use reduction.
-
A copy of the original invoice that confirms purchase and installation of all upgrades.
-
Residential Condominium ACO
If your building is a residential condominium but does NOT have any shared spaces, you do not qualify for this option. Choose another compliance option instead.
Residential condos may comply with Energize Denver requirements by focusing only on common spaces. Common spaces include all shared interior and exterior areas connected to the building's electrical meters — lobbies, hallways, laundry and mechanical rooms, parking areas, exterior and emergency lighting, exit signs, and shared outdoor spaces.
In these common spaces, 100% of the lighting must be LED and occupancy sensors must be installed where allowed by Denver’s Building and Fire Code.
You’ll need to work with a third-party lighting professional who holds one of the required credentials outlined in Section 3.1.1 of the Technical Guidance for buildings 5,000-24,999 sq. ft.
If your common spaces already have 100% LED lighting and occupancy sensors:
-
Have a lighting professional complete the Lighting Verification Template (.xlsx, 24KB) for all common space fixtures.
-
The lighting professional will then need to complete the Letter of Attestation for LED Lighting Compliance.
​
If your common spaces do not already have 100% LED lighting and/or occupancy sensors:
-
Work with a lighting professional to plan LED replacements and occupancy sensor installation across all common spaces.
-
After completing the upgrades, the lighting professional will need to complete the Lighting Verification Template and the Letter of Attestation for LED Lighting Compliance.
Submit Your Documentation
Complete the ACO Compliance Form and upload the Lighting Verification Template (Excel file), the Letter of Attestation (PDF), and a copy of the lighting professional's certification.​
Electrification ACO
Electrify a piece of your building's primary heating system.
-
Identify a piece of your building’s primary heating system that is currently fossil-fueled that can be electrified, such as a furnace or rooftop unit.
-
Work with a contractor to identify and install a heat pump that meets the minimum specifications in the current effective Denver Energy Code. The heat pump must replace the fossil-fueled equipment to be part of your primary building heating system.
-
Complete the ACO Compliance Form and be sure to include:
-
A copy of the quote or proposal from your contractor
-
A copy of the original invoice that shows proof of purchase and installation of the new equipment
-
A copy of the final permit inspection document from the city
-
Note: Projects completed after November 22, 2021, may be counted for compliance
Restaurant ACO
May comply with Energize Denver in two ways: prescriptive measures or equipment electrification.
Restaurants may comply with Energize Denver in two ways:
-
Complete a list of prescriptive energy efficiency measures, or
-
Replace one major piece of gas kitchen equipment with an electric alternative
Prescriptive Energy Efficiency Measures
​
Complete ALL of the following:
-
Reduce temperature set-point for domestic hot water to 140 degrees
-
Install faucet aerators
-
Install low-flow pre-rinse spray valves
-
Install smart thermostat(s) and program setback temperature during off-hours
-
Refrigeration maintenance completed in the past 12 months, including:
-
Clean coils
-
Replace door seals
-
Calibrate thermostats
-
-
Training for staff to turn off equipment during off hours
-
Replace an existing single-speed motor with an electronically commutated motor capable of variable-speed operation in at least one piece of walk-in or reach-in refrigeration equipment, ice machine, or exhaust ventilation equipment.
-
-
Complete the ACO Compliance Form and be sure to upload proof of completing all items from step 1 (such as receipts or invoices).
​
Equipment Electrification Option ​
​
Choose at least one of the following major pieces of equipment to replace. The current equipment must use gas, and it must be replaced with an all-electric alternative. Any equipment replaced within the last 12 months can qualify as well.
-
Fryer
-
Griddle
-
Combination Oven
-
Convection Oven
-
Steam Cooker
-
Domestic Hot water heater that serves the kitchen or the restaurant
​
​​​
Submit Your Documentation
Complete the ACO Compliance Form and be sure to upload proof of your equipment replacement (such as an invoice from a contractor). ​
Note: If you have concerns about making any of the upgrades in the above options for restaurants, we recommend that you pursue the Lighting Improvement Pathway instead.
Combining Options in Multi-Tenant Commercial Buildings
Energize Denver compliance is evaluated for the whole building, not tenant by tenant.
If your building has multiple commercial tenants or use types, different tenant spaces can use different compliance options. For example, in a strip mall, several tenants might upgrade to LED lighting while another replaces its gas heating with a heat pump.
​
Three rules apply:
-
Each tenant space uses one option. A single space can't combine options.
-
A tenant's work covers only that tenant's space. One tenant completing multiple upgrades doesn't cover a neighboring space that hasn't done anything.
-
Every tenant space must be covered for the building to comply.
​
Because compliance is evaluated at the building level, tenants shouldn't submit documentation separately. Schedule a call with the Help Desk before anyone submits paperwork, and we'll combine the documentation into a single building-level submission.