Updated (05/17/24)

What is the LEAN Deep Energy Retrofit Pathway?

An incentive pathway for a retrofit to an income eligible multifamily building that meets a 40% reduction in site EUI compared to existing building conditions. The incentive is $350 per million BTU (MMBTU) savings, as calculated through a whole building energy model.

  • Projects must include higher-than standard weatherization and other energy efficiency measures to reach the 40% reduction target.
  • Projects may include electrification of space heating and water heating.
  • Renewable electric systems do not count toward 40% savings.
  • Projects are client-managed, and clients must do the upfront work of designing and selecting the scope.
  • The incentive is paid out at the end of installation, after LEAN inspection.
  • The pathway includes commissioning (Cx) 6 months after construction is completed.

What is the Process?

The IE DER process is distinct from the standard LEAN program, however, both use the same application form. Because much of the work is client-managed, including the design, scoping, and contractor selection, LEAN’s role is to validate the projected savings and then conduct an inspection, issue the incentive payment, and oversee the additional commissioning.

Submission


Client: Stage 1 - LEAN application; any known DER details;
Stage 2 - audit or equivalent if done, scope details, modeling if any, initial project template & costs & sources.

Discovery & Validation


LEAN: Stages 1 & 2 - reviews materials, conducts audit if needed, estimates incentive;
Stage 3 - sends for final energy model when ready, calculates incentive.

Reviews & Approvals


LEAN: Stage 3 - conducts completeness review of final energy model, submits for internal & PA approval;
Post-Stage 3 - sends incentive letter to client
Client: Signs incentive letter.

Construction & Invoicing


Client: Manages construction, submits invoice(s) to LEAN.




Inspection, Payment, Cx


LEAN: Manages inspection & Cx, issues payment.




How to Get Started:

Submit the LEAN application here and indicate “yes” in the DER question.

What is the Process?

The IE DER process is distinct from the standard LEAN program, however, both use the same application form. Because much of the work is client-managed, including the design, scoping, and contractor selection, LEAN’s role is to validate the projected savings and then conduct an inspection, issue the incentive payment, and oversee the additional commissioning.

Submission

Client: Upfront audit, scoping design, modeling, submits LEAN application; submits docs & project template
Discovery & Validation

LEAN: Compiles docs, review, validation & incentive calculation.

Approvals & Agreement

LEAN: Submits for internal & PA approval, sends incentive letter to client.
Client: Signs incentive letter
Construction & Invoicing
Client: Manages construction, submits invoice to LEAN


Inspection, Payment, Cx

LEAN: Manages inspection, issues payment, oversees commissioning.

How to Get Started:

Submit the LEAN application here and indicate “yes” in the DER question.

Yes, for-profit owned projects that meet the low-income requirement (50% of the development households have income at or below 60% of the Median Income) are eligible. For-profit owners are required to sign an affordability agreement in addition to the documents we already collect to prove income eligibility.

No, the Program Administrators have a separate program for this – go to www.MassSave.com

 

The Program Administrators also offer a program for market rate multifamily housing; you may apply to that program. Call 800-594-7277 or visit http://www.masssave.com/residential/multi-family-with-5-or-more-dwelling-units/ for more information.

 

Electrically heated buildings served by one of the electric Program Administrators are eligible for all services, including the appliance audit, comprehensive building assessment, electrical upgrades, and heating and ventilation upgrades. Electrically heated buildings served by a municipal light plant are not eligible for any assessments or services.

 
LEAN Multi-Family