Zero By Design

Building a Sustainable & Resilient Los Angeles

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LADWP’s Zero By Design encourages developers to build more sustainably by providing financial incentives for commercial and multifamily high-rise (4 stories and above) new construction projects which exceed Title 24 or industry standards.

Participants may receive:

  • Owner incentives to help offset the added costs of building more efficiently
  • Design Team incentives for attaining aggressive energy savings goals
  • Complimentary design assistance and review to aid applicants in realizing their project’s maximum efficiency potential

Eligibility Requirements

LADWP ZBD participants and projects must meet the following requirements to be eligible for program incentives:

  • Project must be a non-residential or multifamily high-rise new construction or renovation/remodel project located within LADWP’s service territory
  • The proposed design must exceed Title 24 or current industry standards for energy efficiency by more than five percent (5%) to qualify
  • Projects not completed within 48 months of LADWP approval may be cancelled and reserved funds returned to the program fund
  • Projects must meet all other LADWP ZBD requirements as specified in the program application

Make certain to review the Terms and Conditions and participation requirements prior to completing the application documents.


Project Evaluation Paths

 

Express

                                                          Measures include:

 

For prescriptive measures, applicants can apply through LADWP ZBD’s Express track.

LADWP ZBD Express provides incentives for the purchase and installation of high efficiency new equipment. Utilizing deemed savings calculations, Express expedites your application processing to get you paid faster. 

LADWP ZBD Express Image

Chillers

Includes:
• Air-Cooled
• Air-Cooled, Path B
• Water-Cooled

Water Heater

Includes:
• HPWH, Residential, All Electric
• HPWH, Commercial, All Electric
(Click for complete list.)

Water Heater

Variable Speed Drives (VSDs)

Includes:
• Central Plant System
• Pool and Spa Pump

HVAC

Includes:
• Heat pump HVAC, All Electric
• Ductless HVAC, Residential, All Electric
(Click for complete list.)

HVAC

Lighting

Express lighting is limited per building type. Annual operating hours are capped per California eTRM.
(Click for additional details.)

Lighting

Whole Building Performance

LADWP ZBD Whole Building Performance offers a more comprehensive approach.

A building is composed of many systems working together to serve its occupants. By viewing building performance as a whole, builders explore systems integration and connectivity to develop innovative and effective efficiency solutions which help reduce operating costs and increase occupant comfort. LADWP Zero By Design’s Whole Building Performance rewards developments that exceed Title 24 requirements by more than 5%.

 

LADWP ZBD Whole Building Image

Design Team

Design Teams may also be eligible for incentives!

To reward Design Teams for setting and achieving aggressive energy savings targets, LADWP Zero By Design also provides incentives to Design Teams. To qualify, Design Teams must submit a qualifying energy model to participate.

In addition to the energy model, the Design Team Leader must submit a completed and signed Design Team application along with the completed and signed Owner’s application. The energy model must be completed using the California Energy Commission approved compliance software for the current Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Energy Code). The energy model must be accurate, reflective of the proposed building and detail and list the proposed equipment and schedules.

Design Team Incentives

Incentives Paid to the Design Team Leader

 

Entry Level 
(% Better than T24)
Incentive Maximum Incentive 
Per Project
Design Team 5% 1/3 of Owner 
Incentives 1
$50,000

130% of the Design Team Incentive may be payable upon review and approval of the pre-construction energy model.

LADWP ZBD Design Team Image

Measures and Incentives

Energy Efficiency Measures and Incentives

End Use*

Commercial Incentive
($/kWh)

High-rise Multifamily Incentive
($/kWh)

Lighting

$0.25

$0.30

HVAC – Cooling

$0.60

$0.50

HVAC – Heating

$0.30

$0.15

HVAC – Ventilation

$0.25

$0.35

Appliance, Plug & Process

$0.30

$0.30

Domestic Hot Water

$0.15

$0.15

*Any End Use categories indicating negative energy efficiency savings and incentives will be deducted from the project’s total efficiency savings and incentive amount. This does not pertain to building electrification measures.

 

 

Electrification Measures and Incentives

Incentive Categories and Rates – Express

End Use Incentive ($/unit)
Heat Pump Water Heater $1,800 to $2,850/each
Large Heat Pump Water Heater $30 to $50/kBtuh
Packaged Heat Pump Air Conditioner $250 to $650/ton
Incentive Categories and Rates – Whole Building Performance
End Use Incentive ($/kWh)
Heat Pump HVAC – Heating $0.65
Heat Pump Water Heater $0.65

How to Apply

Prior to completing the application documents, review the ZBD Program Terms and Conditions and eligibility requirements to determine if you qualify.

All projects require LADWP approval prior to the start of construction or installation of any new equipment. You must prepare and submit an application package to reserve funds.

For customers applying for Express, please complete and submit the following documents:

 

For customers applying for Whole Building Performance, please complete and submit the following documents:

 

For customers applying for Design Team Incentives, please complete and submit the following documents:

 

 

Submit by Email or Mail

Submit all required forms via email to [email protected] or mail to: 

LADWP NEW CONSTRUCTION INCENTIVE PROGRAMS
Attn: LADWP Zero By Design Program 
111 N. Hope Street, JFB Room 1057 
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Once your application has been received, a LADWP ZBD Program Manager will be assigned to your project and will contact you to confirm receipt of the application.

Important Notices

LADWP is unable to guarantee estimated energy savings amounts. LADWP will provide energy savings and incentive calculations only upon completion of the project and verification of the energy savings.

The incentives are reserved on a first come, first served basis until funds are exhausted.

Disclaimer

By applying for an LADWP rebate and/or program, personal information provided may be subject to public disclosure by requesting parties, pursuant to the California Public Records Act.

This program shall at all times be subject to change or termination without notice.