Description

The Home Energy Rebate Option (HERO) – Commercial Buildings Retrofit Program is offered by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources for residents or licensed businesses of Louisiana. Buildings must be located in Louisiana and must reduce annual energy consumption by at least 10%. Qualified buildings must fall into one of two categories:

• Category 1: Buildings must be rated by a HERO Certified Home Energy Rater or a Louisiana Licensed Professional Engineer or Architect. Category 1 buildings are less than 10,000 square feet with independently controlled single-zone HVAC systems that derive heat and cooling from the same system. These buildings have no economizers and do not have lighting regulated by Health or Life Safety Codes.
• Category 2: All other commercial buildings. Category 2 buildings require an audit by a Louisiana Licensed Professional Engineer or Architect.

Applicants must first have an audit performed by a HERO-Certified Energy auditor with Commercial Training or Louisiana Licensed Professional Engineer or Architect. Licensed professionals can be found on the program web site. After meeting with the auditor and determining which improvements will be made, the applicant has six months to complete the improvements, have the original auditor conduct a post-improvement audit, and submit all necessary documentation.