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Integrated Design Assistance Program Overview

Expertise and funding for new commercial buildings and major renovations

The Integrated Design Assistance Program (IDAP) offers financial incentives and free technical support to owners, designers and contractors interested in delivering high-performance buildings that exceed building code (PDF 864KB) requirements for energy performance.

Fort Collins Utilities customers can select from two options, each with different levels of incentives and technical support:

Integrated Design Assistance Program (IDAP) Approaches
Whole Building Approach Prescriptive Approach
Incentive Tables
When Used
  • For projects in early design using an integrated approach
  • Achieves highest building performance
  • Typically requires more time/effort in design stage
  • Projects beyond schematic design, are on a fast-track or resources prevent using Whole Building Approach
  • Targets specific equipment and systems
Incentive Types or Equipment/Systems Funded

Design Incentive: helps cover costs for additional design professionals (e.g. daylighting or energy consultant). Available in early design.

Performance Incentive: based on electricity savings of entire building using ASHRAE 90.1 - 2004, Appendix G criteria. Paid at end of project.

  • Lighting
  • HVAC
  • Building envelope
  • Electric motors
  • Custom measures
Incentive Amount

Design: $5,000 + $0.10/square feet (SF) up to 300,000 SF; $50,000 lifetime cap.

Performance: $500 per summer peak kW or $0.10/annual kWh for electricity savings of 10-50% below basline reference; $100,000/year cap.

Based on improvement from efficiency requirements in the ASHRAE 90.1 - 2004 Energy Standard (see specific incentive amounts for various prescriptive measures); capped at $100,000/year.

Building Requirements
  • Pre-design or schematic design
  • Minimum of 5,000 SF
  • Commissioning (independent verification that building performs as intended) included
  • Set goal to exceed ASHRAE 90.1 - 2004 Energy Standard by 10%
  • Located in Fort Collins Utilities electric service area
  • New construction or major renovation
  • Commercial or high-rise residential building, per ASHRAE 90.1 - 2004, Section 2
  • Application for IDAP incentives must be submitted before equipment is installed.
How to Apply
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Steps to follow (PDF 260KB) for the Whole Building Approach and Prescriptive Approach.

More information:

Contact Energy Services Engineer Gary Schroeder at (970) 221-6395 or

Integrated Design Assistance Program