Our homes, businesses, schools, and public institutions collectively consume over 70% of the electricity and natural gas generated across the country. Improving energy efficiency in these spaces remains one of the most impactful, cost-effective strategies to address persistent challenges, chief among those being high energy prices, energy security, air quality, and climate risk.

Partnering with experienced energy efficiency project developers like those at Mantis Innovation can help organizations navigate available incentives from start to finish. When paired with the right project design, these programs can significantly reduce upfront costs and accelerate return on investment.

Be advised, though, that securing incentives isn’t always straightforward. The process can be complex and varies widely depending on the utility, state, and program rules. Working with experienced energy efficiency project developers like those at Mantis Innovation can provide an organization with the expertise to navigate available incentives.

What Does an Energy Efficiency Expert Do?

An energy efficiency expert can support projects from concept through implementation. Specifically, they:

• Work alongside facility managers to plan and design projects
• Conduct energy assessments and identify eligible measures
• Apply for utility incentives on the client’s behalf

Because eligibility criteria and incentive structures differ by region and utility, they can streamline the experience by managing the technical and administrative workload.

In most cases, they’ll coordinate directly with the utility, reducing the likelihood of a denied application. With a deep understanding of incentive timing, caps, and qualifications, they can help maximize savings and ensure your project aligns with current program rules.

Many utilities operate incentive programs on annual funding cycles, with fixed budgets determined by state regulators. Once funds are exhausted for the year, project applications are often paused until the next cycle opens. 

Experienced energy efficiency experts understand these timelines and can strategically align projects with capital planning priorities. They can also ensure your project is submitted wholly and early, improving your chances of qualifying before funding runs out. Doing so helps projects move forward sooner and generates savings faster.

Utility incentives are a powerful financial tool for supporting energy efficiency, but they require careful planning, timely data collection, and clear communication with the utility provider.

More than just an ESCO

Mantis differs from traditional Energy Service Providers (ESPs) and Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) by taking a holistic view of energy on both the demand and supply sides. Our team can simplify the utility incentive process from start to finish by working directly with utility providers to ensure your project qualifies for the highest available incentive levels. We can often accept the utility incentive as a partial direct payment, removing financial and qualification risk from your team and accelerating project approval.

Talk with one of our engineers today to explore energy efficiency opportunities and available incentive funding for your next project.