No-Cost Investment Grade Energy Audits
The Columbus Region Green Fund (CRGF) is now accepting applications from building owners and operators in Columbus, Ohio for no-cost investment grade energy audits.
Why do I need an Energy Audit?
Your building is likely leaving money on the table, and a no-cost energy audit is a great start on the path to energy efficiency upgrades that can improve your energy costs and lower your emissions. Through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and the City of Columbus, CRGF is offering qualifying building owners and operators a comprehensive investment grade energy audit at no charge. That means rigorous data collection and detailed savings projections, so you can stop guessing about your building's energy performance and start acting on it!
How does this work?
Through this program, qualifying organizations receive a comprehensive investment grade energy audit at no cost. Every audit delivers rigorous data collection, energy modeling, and financial analysis, producing a detailed report with savings projections, implementation costs, and payback analysis for each recommended improvement.
Once an application is reviewed and approved, CRGF will assign a certified auditing vendor to your building. Your assigned vendor will contact you directly to begin scoping the audit and coordinating next steps.
Following the audit, CRGF works directly with building owners to navigate financing options for recommended capital improvements. This includes guidance on available grants, low-cost nonprofit and municipal financing mechanisms such as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing, and conventional commercial financing — helping your organization identify the right path to move from audit recommendations to implemented improvements.
What buildings are eligible?
Eligible buildings include commercial office buildings, retail facilities, healthcare and educational institutions, government and civic buildings, multifamily residential properties, nonprofit facilities, and any building subject to the City of Columbus Building Energy Benchmarking and Reporting Ordinance in Columbus, Ohio. Buildings should be around 50,000 square feet. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all program funding has been allocated.
Lifecycle of Energy Efficiency Upgrades
For many building owners, the path to improving energy performance can feel unclear — especially knowing where to start, what it will cost, and how to pay for it. An investment grade energy audit is the critical first step that brings clarity to those questions.
1. Recognize the Opportunity - Rising utility costs, aging equipment, carbon reduction goals, or future local benchmarking obligations signal that it's time to understand your building's energy performance.
2. Apply for a No-Cost Energy Audit - You are here! Apply through CRGF at no cost. If approved, CRGF assigns a certified auditing vendor who scopes and conducts the audit on your behalf.
3. Receive Your Investment Grade Audit Report - Your vendor delivers a comprehensive report identifying energy waste, high-impact improvements, and the projected costs, savings, and return on investment for each recommended measure.
4. Prioritize Improvements - Review findings and prioritize Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) based on budget, feasibility, and organizational goals.
5. Secure Financing - CRGF helps you identify the right financing path for capital improvements, such as grants, PACE financing, low-cost nonprofit or municipal financing, or conventional commercial financing. Your audit report is designed to meet the documentation requirements of lenders and grant programs.
6. Implement Improvements - Engage contractors to implement your prioritized ECMs. Your assigned vendor is available for additional contracted consulting support through design, implementation, and contractor coordination.
7. Track and Verify Savings - Energy performance is tracked and verified against audit projections. CRGF monitors outcomes at 6, 9, and 12 months post-audit to document real-world savings and support continued improvement.
Have a question? Reach out to Dominique Hadad at dh@crgreenfund.org
About This Program
This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, administered locally through a subaward from the City of Columbus. It is part of a broader collaborative effort between the DOE, the City of Columbus, and the CRGF to advance energy efficiency, reduce operating costs, and support compliance with the City of Columbus Building Energy Benchmarking and Reporting Ordinance across the region.