Buildings Upgrade Prize

Project Website: www.heroX.com/buildingsUP
Lead Performer: National Renewable Energy Laboratory – Golden, CO
DOE Total Funding: $24,000,000 for Phase 1
FY23 DOE Funding: $17,900,000
Project Term: January 1, 2023 - Current
Funding Type: Prize

Project Objective

Developed by the U.S. Department of Energy Building Technologies Office (BTO), Buildings UP aims to build capacity in communities to rapidly and equitably transform U.S. buildings. Twenty to 60 teams will develop innovative initiatives for widespread building upgrades, leveraging the billions of dollars available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), utility rebate programs, and many other funding sources, and capitalizing on this once-in-a-generation opportunity to equitably transform a wide variety of buildings across diverse geographies. As teams progress through the prize, they will receive cash prizes and technical assistance to help bring their ideas to life. 

Project Impact

Upgrading existing buildings to efficiently run on clean energy will help address climate change. Building upgrades may include transitioning to efficient electric equipment, including heat pumps and heat pump water heaters, and improving building efficiency through measures such as insulation and air-sealing. Together, these efforts will help reduce carbon emissions and energy costs, while improving indoor air quality and occupant comfort.

Contacts

DOE Technology Manager: Holly Carr
Lead Performer: Sarah Truitt, National Renewable Energy Laboratory