Goal

J

Increase energy efficiency in 5% of all buildings through upgrades, weatherization, and other improvements.

The City can serve as a partner in reducing energy use through energy efficiency upgrades to existing buildings. While the City has little control over the type of energy (coal, natural gas, wind, solar, etc.) that residents and businesses use, building upgrades such as weatherization, updated heating and cooling systems, hot water heaters, can dramatically reduce energy burden and energy use. When rebates and incentive programs are available from the utilities or State or Federal government, these need to be easily found and leveraged. The City has a role in promoting these options and providing assistance to its residents and businesses to meet its climate goals. Currently, the City is partnering with Building Energy Exchange - St. Louis to do this work and this strategy would enhance and expand that effort.

Strategy

Over the next 5 years, expand and continue to support a City-sponsored centralized resource center for residents (renters and owners) and businesses to learn and participate in programs, and to connect to rebates aimed at reducing energy use and energy burden.

Expected Outcomes

Reduced energy costs through energy efficiency with a specific effort to reduce the number of residents experiencing energy burden.
Establishment of a one-stop shop for businesses and residents to access energy efficiency resources and technical support.

How will we achieve this?

Our Actions

J.1

Leverage existing partners and the Building Energy Exchange - St. Louis to provide resources and maintain a database of various rebates, programs, etc. for residential (owners and renters), commercial, and industrial buildings.

J.2

Establish an incentive pool and technical assistance to support underserved residents and small business owners in reducing their energy costs and improving building health, including weatherization.

J.3

Explore the development of voluntary residential energy programs such as DOE Energy Score and green leases in collaboration with partners.

J.4

Evaluate and support resources for building owners with older homes and those in historic districts to upgrade their buildings with climate-friendly technologies.

J.5

Pursue philanthropic and grant opportunities to help offset reductions in state and federal funding for energy for Environmental Justice communities.

Case Studies

Learn more about the sustainability practices or principles mentioned in the actions above.

Building Energy Exchange STL

In 2020, the City of St. Louis passed a building energy performance standard ordinance requiring that all municipal, institutional, commercial and multifamily buildings equal to or greater than 50,000 square feet must consume energy at or below a standard set by the city. BE-Ex STL aims to assist communities in complying with the ordinance and enhancing their buildings to be high-performing and energy-efficient, leading to lower utility costs, improved comfort, and healthier indoor environments. BE-Ex STL provides financial tools, upcoming events, news, and connections to improve Home, business, work, recreation, school, or community spaces.

DOE Energy Score

To promote energy efficiency, the US Department of Energy developed the Home Energy Score. This program provides homeowners, buyers, and renters directly comparable and credible information about a home’s energy use, similar to a miles-per-gallon rating for a car. The Home Energy Score Report estimates home energy use, associated costs, and provides energy solutions to cost-effectively improve the home’s efficiency. Each Home Energy Score is shown on a simple 1 to 10 scale, where a 10 represents the most efficient homes. Through the department’s partners, hundreds of Home Energy Score Assessors have provided thousands of Home Energy Scores across the country, helping residents achieve energy efficiency and contribute to broader sustainability goals.