San Francisco Building Efficiency Programs

San Francisco leads the state in many of its energy efficiency programs, including Energy Watch, GreenFinanceSF, the stimulus-funded SF Home Improvement Program, and the Commercial Boiler Retrofit program. These programs cover both residential and commercial sectors, and they target single and multifamily homes along with large and small businesses. Utility bill savings are created through efficiencies in lighting, refrigeration, and heating and cooling. In addition, San Francisco aims to increase transparency in building performance and incentivize the private market to increase energy efficiency through policies focused on market transformation. To help achieve this aim, the City’s building performance law adopted in 2011 requires commercial property owners to measure and disclose their buildings’ energy use and conduct energy audits. The data and increased awareness is expected to drive future investments in energy efficiency. Source: San Francisco Climate Action Strategy, p.15.