Apartment Owners

Incentives for Apartment Building Owners

3E Thermal makes energy efficiency upgrades easy to undertake for owners of qualified apartment buildings. We provide various cash incentives as well as technical support.

We are not weatherization contractors or product vendors. We’re unbiased consultants whose interest is maximizing the energy performance of Vermont’s affordable apartment housing, saving building owners and tenants money, and making apartments better places to live for folks by building more durable, sustainable housing.

To qualify for 3E services at no cost, a combination of income eligible tenant applications and/or rent thresholds will be used to determine eligibility. Click here to view the 2024-2025 allowable Area Median Income (AMI) levels.

Apartment Owner Application

Unbiased Consultants Providing Funding To Move Your Project Forward

3E Thermal uses funds from Vermont’s Thermal Efficiency Fund (which comes from other energy programs, not general tax dollars) to provide cash reimbursements for energy improvements. The more comprehensive the energy improvements, the more we can offer in incentives. Generally, we target apartment buildings with 3 or more units and projects that will achieve at least 25% savings.

We’re green-building advisors who pride ourselves on solving problems and achieving the most effective energy improvements within the parameters of the owner’s capital expense plan and budget.

For buildings that don’t qualify for free services, we can provide technical support on a fee-basis.

3E Thermal Technical Support Includes

Complete assessment of existing conditions and opportunities for energy improvements

Analysis of fuel usage history and current energy performance

Estimates of savings and budgets for recommended improvements

Collaboration with owner’s design team on larger projects

Review of and advice on project specifications and bids

Progress and final inspections to assist contractors and ensure work meets specs

“The tenants are happier, they have a more reliable heating system. The building is more comfortable because we added a whole lot of insulation. We have new energy-efficient windows that work a lot more effectively. So I’m happy and I think the tenants are happy, too.”

- Richard Carr, RH Carr Associates

“Scott and Randy are the best to work with. I was like a fish out of water with the first project, and they helped me along with everything. It was marvelous and they were wonderful to work with.”

- Sharlene McEachern, Realty Resources Management

Constructing a new multi-family building?

Efficiency Vermont offers design support and cash incentives.

Renovation & Construction

Featured Projects

Northfield Apartment Building Saves Almost 50% on Energy

After making energy efficiency improvements designed by 3E Thermal...

The owners of an apartment building in Northfield are set to save 47% on energy costs this winter.
Air leakage was reduced by 42%.
The per unit monthly heating cost dropped from $132 to $56.

Morrisville Apartment Complex Receives Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Colonial Manor in Morrisville has undergone an extensive energy efficiency upgrade, with funding and technical support assistance from 3E Thermal. The five-building complex has added insulation and air sealing, a central heating plant, improved ventilation, and new windows and doors. In this video, we visit the project and talk with Randy Drury of 3E Thermal about what was involved with making the apartments more efficient and comfortable.

Rutland Apartment Building Undergoes Energy Efficiency Transformation

At 24 Royce St. in Rutland, 3E Thermal undertook a comprehensive weatherization project. Key results include:

We replaced old insulation, spray foamed the stone foundation, and improved air quality with sheeting and fans.
Reduced 3,000 gallons of fuel each year to being electric.
Two 80-gallon water tanks instead of one 30-gallon unit.

Barre Street Apartments

Black River Overlook

Richmond Terrace Senior Living

FAQ

After we receive an owner's application for services, we contact them with any questions, and schedule a walkthrough of your building. We work with the local Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) office to confirm that the property is considered “affordable housing” based on rent levels or tenant income. We also verify that the property is a relatively high user of energy for heat and hot water, and that project plans are likely to result in at least 25% energy savings.

If the building and project plans qualify, we’ll schedule an energy audit to gather data and perform diagnostics. We analyze that data, then hold a project meeting to determine the work scope, funding, and timeline. Specifications and request for bids are developed by the building owner with 3E Thermal’s help.

Our next step is to meet with the owner and design team to finalize the scope, funding sources and timeline. An incentive agreement is issued by us, detailing the incentives being offered for comprehensive building performance improvements. The building owner retains contractors to do the work and 3E Thermal pays incentives to the owner as the work is completed.

3E Thermal has a broader scope than traditional weatherization and other efficiency programs. Our goal is to improve a building’s energy efficiency at least a 25% savings from existing use for heat and hot water. We take a whole-building approach, analyzing air-sealing and higher insulation levels in attics, foundations and walls; and upgrades to space-heating, water-heating and ventilation equipment.

The specific size of the incentives depends on how much savings we can generate together. Usually, the more savings a project will generate, the higher the incentive we can offer. We will conduct an energy audit analysis at no charge and then meet with you to finalize the scope of work and the level of incentives it allows.

We offer incentives to help owners take their renovation and retrofit projects further, and some of our services are free, such as energy audits and technical support — which allows us to act as an unbiased consultant to the owner. Our team at 3E Thermal does not do installations or pay for materials or contractors directly. Contracts for construction are between the contractor and the owner. We provide incentive payments as reimbursement to the owner.