What is the California Energy Design Assistance Program?
The California Energy Design Assistance (CEDA) program is the go-to solution for energy efficiency and decarbonization in new construction and major renovation projects. This complimentary program provides significant advantages for your project by offering tailored support and financial incentives. This guide outlines the program’s benefits, eligibility, and enrollment process to help you get started. Read on to learn how CEDA can help you achieve your energy efficiency goals.
CEDA Program Overview: Supporting Energy Efficiency and Decarbonization
The CEDA program supports decarbonization for new construction and major renovations. As a unique program offered through investor-owned utilities (IOUs), CEDA works with project teams to lower energy use and carbon emissions. Our energy specialists provide complimentary analysis and tailored decarbonization options, helping you achieve long-term savings and maximize available incentives while aligning with your project goals.
By enrolling in CEDA, you gain access to key benefits, including:
- Complimentary, custom decarbonization analysis
- Financial incentives for qualified projects
- Detailed energy cost and payback analysis
Participating in CEDA also demonstrates your commitment to sustainable design and high-performance building practices, improving environmental impact, occupant comfort, and resilience. For more details on the financial incentives available through the program, visit the CEDA Financial Incentives webpage.
Eligibility Criteria for the California Energy Design Assistance Program
To qualify for the CEDA program, projects must meet certain criteria, including being in the early design phase and located within the service area of participating utilities. CEDA serves commercial, public, high-rise multifamily, industrial, and agricultural projects.
For a full list of eligibility requirements, visit the CEDA Eligibility webpage.
How to Enroll in the CEDA Program
The process for enrolling in the complimentary CEDA program can be completed in a few ways. Projects can apply directly via the application page here, or you can reach out to an Outreach Specialist at CEDA@willdan.com, who can submit the application on your behalf once provided with the necessary project details.
To apply for the program, you will need to provide the following essential information:
- Approximate square footage
- Street address
- Project type: new construction or major renovation
Additional details can be shared later in the process to refine the analysis and recommendations.
Next Steps After Enrolling in the CEDA Program
After enrollment and confirmation of eligibility, the CEDA process typically involves a series of key meetings over the course of 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the size and scope of your project. The timeline may vary, but your project team will keep you informed throughout the process:
- Discovery Call: In this initial meeting, the CEDA team will discuss your project goals and explore potential decarbonization strategies tailored to your needs.
- Results Meeting: Following the discovery call, the CEDA team will schedule a results meeting to review the energy analysis and present recommended measures for your project based on the findings.
- Verification: After the completion of construction and implementation of the recommended measures, the CEDA team will conduct an on-site verification to ensure the strategies have been properly executed.
FAQs: Common Questions About the CEDA Program
- When should I join the CEDA program?
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To maximize program benefits, we recommend participating during the early design phase, before key building system decisions are finalized. This allows energy-saving measures and decarbonization strategies to be integrated most effectively.
However, projects incorporating heat pumps may still qualify later in the project timeline.
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- How do I get started with the program?
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Getting started is easy! Simply complete the screening tool linked to the “Apply” button at the top of this page—there’s no cost or obligation, and it takes about five minutes. Any member of your project team can submit it.
You’ll be asked to provide a few basic details about your project, such as location, building type, and project timeline.
Once submitted, Willdan will assign a dedicated project manager who will schedule a discovery call to understand your project goals and discuss potential energy-saving opportunities.
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- What if I decide I no longer want to participate?
- Participation is non-binding. You can exit the program at any stage if your project needs or priorities change.
- What does it cost to participate?
- The CEDA program is available at no cost to the participant. There are no hidden fees or charges. We offer complimentary technical assistance and customized decarbonization analysis to help you achieve your energy and sustainability goals.
- When will I receive the financial incentives?
- Design Team Incentives: These incentives are distributed after bundle selection during the early stages of the project.
- Owner Incentives and Inducements: These are distributed after project verification. A verification specialist will visit the project site to ensure that all energy-saving measures have been properly implemented. Once verified, the local utility partner will be notified, and the incentives will be processed and distributed.
Start Achieving Energy Efficiency and Decarbonization Today
Participating in the California Energy Design Assistance (CEDA) program offers valuable support for achieving your energy efficiency and decarbonization goals for new construction and major renovations. This complimentary program empowers project teams with custom analyses, financial incentives, and tailored strategies to enhance sustainability and savings. By understanding the benefits, eligibility, and enrollment process outlined in this guide, you can take confident strides toward a more energy-efficient future. Ready to get started? Schedule a call with a member of the CEDA team today and explore how we can help you achieve your energy efficiency goals.
