Energy Efficiency Grant or Renewable Energy Grant Application

 

Once you have a recent professional energy audit in hand, you may apply for funds to:

1. Undertake energy efficiency improvement projects, e.g. building or equipment improvements that will reduce the energy use of their church buildings that have a payback of 12 years of less*. Examples include:

  • Improvements to the building envelope to reduce thermal losses, e.g. insulation, air sealing, weather-stripping, windows and doors

  • Replacement of existing equipment with energy efficient equipment, e.g. HVAC, refrigeration, lighting

  • Materials and /or equipment used in a building expansion that improves the energy efficiency of the building or its systems above the existing building code energy standards

  • Projects that qualify for financial incentives from NHSaves.

2. After energy efficiency projects have been done, undertake renewable energy projects that will lower the building’s carbon footprint and have a payback of less than 15 years*. Examples include (this is not an exhaustive list):

    • Solar photovoltaic panels to reduce grid-sourced electricity.

    • Solar photovoltaic panels to power cold-climate heat pumps that displace fossil fuel-fired heating equipment.

    • Biofuel-based heating equipment, e.g. wood pellets, wood chips, etc.

    • Electric vehicle recharging station connected to solar photovoltaic panels

 *Higher payback ratios may be considered as special cases, but will not receive priority funding.  

The application must include the following:

  • A quantitative assessment (energy audit) of the energy efficiency improvements/renewable energy project to be made, to include

    • Costs for the project, based on local labor and material costs.

    • The estimated energy savings expected, based on the building’s actual energy use and accepted engineering calculations.

  • If available, a copy of the contractor’s quote that describes the project.

Funds are available on a rolling basis. About $20,000 will be granted each year. Fund requests less than $5,000 are encouraged although requests up to $10,000 will be considered. Funds will be disbursed on a reimbursement basis after the project activities have taken place and a copy of vendor invoice provided.

Grant Application

Remember to email us at gerke@nhipl.org once you have completed the application and attach the report from a recent energy audit. Your application is not complete without it.