The City of Lowell has been selected as a BetterBuildings Community and was awarded $5 million dollars to implement BetterBuildings Lowell Energy Upgrade (BLEU) Projects. BLEU Projects will increase the energy efficiency of your buildings. BLEU Projects include new boilers, insulation, lighting, air sealing and other energy efficiency upgrades to your commercial or multi-family property, located in Lowell’s Downtown Historic District.

BLEU PROJECTS

BRIGHT BLEU PROJECT

Get $500,000 for a BetterBuildings Lowell Energy Upgrade (BLEU) BRIGHT BLEU Project. BRIGHT BLEU Projects include new boilers, insulation, lighting, air sealing and other energy efficiency upgrades to your commercial or multi-family property, located in Lowell’s Downtown Historic District. BRIGHT BLEU Projects must achieve a whole building energy use reduction of at least 15%. The deeper your energy use reduction with a BRIGHT BLEU Project the more money you get from BetterBuildings Lowell and the greater the savings on your energy utility bills. To apply for a BRIGHT BLEU Project have your Historic District property receive a Whole Building Energy Analysis, this provides energy upgrade guidance to determine the size of your BRIGHT BLEU Project, and supply BetterBuildings Lowell with your Historic District property’s energy utility data from the past year.

BRIGHT BLEU PROJECT: ≥ 15% WHOLE BUILDING ENERGY USE REDUCTION

BRIGHT BLEU Projects achieve a whole building energy use reduction of 15% or greater, BetterBuildings Lowell will provide a BLEU Grant of ⅓ of the project cost up to $250,000, an LDFC Loan for ⅓ the project cost up to $250,000 and the property owner will provide ⅓ of the project cost up to $250,000.

More information about this exciting program can be found here. 

LDFC LOAN

Your LDFC Loan has a 10 year loan term and a low 3% interest rate. For more information about the Lowell Development & Financial Corporation (LDFC) visit: www.ldfc.org

OWNER MATCH

Previously completed energy efficient measures, since May 2010, in your property can be counted towards your Owner Match for your BRIGHT BLEU Project. Contact BetterBuildings Lowell for more information regarding this BLEU Project component.

VACANT SPACE

Vacant buildings and vacant space within whole buildings located in the Historic District are eligible for a BRIGHT BLEU Program. Projects involving vacant space will be managed on a case by case basis. Contact BetterBuildings Lowell for more information regarding this BLEU Project component.

WHOLE BUILDING ENERGY ANALYSIS

A Whole Building Energy Analysis determines exactly how much energy your Historic District property uses and provides energy upgrade guidance so your building achieves an energy use reduction of at least 15% and is eligible to apply for a BRIGHT BLEU Project. The Whole Building Energy Analysis is 100% reimbursed by BetterBuildings Lowell upon completion of your BRIGHT BLEU Project. BetterBuildings Lowell has created an Energy Professionals List that is distributed upon request.

ENERGY UTILITY DATA

Your Historic District property’s energy utility data for 1 year prior to your BRIGHT BLEU Project is required for BetterBuildings Lowell to determine a whole building energy use baseline. The whole building energy use baseline will be compared with the energy use utility data that is required monthly for 1 year after the completion of your BRIGHT BLEU Project. The energy use comparison will clearly show the success of your BRIGHT BLEU Project. Energy utility data is electricity, gas, oil, and any other energy source you receive energy utility bills for.

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