When it comes to energy efficiency, lighting may be the first upgrade opportunity that comes to mind. However, ESA CAM’s eligible measures list goes deeper than lighting upgrades.

During ESA CAM energy audits, participants are often surprised to learn that their properties are eligible for central hot water system upgrades. Ruchi Shah, the senior sustainability manager for the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (TNDC), is working with ESA CAM on upgrades to Maria Manor, a historic building that serves low-income residents and disabled seniors. She described the potential boiler upgrade through ESA CAM at Maria Manor as the most significant change to the property.

“[At] many of our sites, given the age of the buildings, the boilers are coming to the end of [their] useful life and it’s a big investment,” Shah said. Shah added that ESA CAM participation enabled the TNDC team to provide more improvements to their properties than their budget previously allowed.

Like many participants, Shah was considering property upgrades at TNDC’s affordable multifamily buildings when she learned about ESA CAM.

“We knew the property was in need of upgrades. We were thinking about it, but we didn’t have funds to cover all of the sites,” Shah said. “This program is a great way to layer with our existing budget and think about whole-building improvements across our portfolio.”

As ESA CAM covered costs associated with common areas and central systems upgrades, TNDC is able to direct their remaining budget to other necessary property improvements benefitting residents, such as new furniture and paint in the community spaces.

Contact ESA CAM staff to find out how your property can leverage ESA CAM funds to make energy upgrades. ESA CAM provides free technical assistance to help properties identify upgrade opportunities and expand scopes of work.