LADWP expands free efficiency upgrades for Los Angeles businesses

Mark Brost

Aug 4

3 min read

Los Angeles businesses and multifamily property owners can now access expanded no-cost energy upgrades through the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s Commercial Direct Install Program. The initiative is designed to reduce electricity consumption, lower operating costs and improve facility performance while supporting the city’s broader climate and grid-reliability goals.

Key takeaways

Eligible commercial customers with average monthly demand of 250 kilowatts or less may qualify.
Multifamily properties with at least five units can receive upgrades in common areas.
Available improvements include LED lighting, refrigeration controls, motor upgrades and heat pump water heaters.
The program covers equipment and installation, with no upfront cost for approved participants.
LADWP uses free assessments to identify potential energy and bill savings.

The program’s local impact was highlighted at Second Baptist Church, where inefficient lighting in the church and its Children’s Ministry Building was replaced with high-efficiency LED fixtures. LADWP estimates the improvements will save approximately 11,061 kilowatt-hours of electricity and $1,769 annually.

Who can participate

The CDI Program serves qualifying nonresidential LADWP electric customers whose average monthly demand is no more than 250 kW. Multifamily properties with five or more units may qualify for improvements in shared areas. Renters can participate with landlord approval, and eligible accounts must be in good standing.

That eligibility framework makes the program relevant to small and medium-sized businesses, property managers, community organizations, schools and lodging facilities seeking practical ways to manage utility expenses without committing capital to a large retrofit.

What upgrades are available

Energy-saving measures are selected after an on-site assessment and may include LED fixtures and lamps, LED exit signs, electronically commutated motors, refrigeration case lighting, anti-sweat heater controls, automatic door closers and heat pump water heaters. LADWP officials said some refrigeration improvements can reduce related energy use by 20% to 40% while improving equipment performance.

For contractors and property managers planning additional lighting work beyond the program’s scope, Led Lumenaires provides commercial-grade LED solutions with spec-ready SKUs, bulk availability and fast fulfillment. Its Pro Support team can also assist with product selection, layouts, rebate questions and large project quotes.

How the process works

Applicants first submit an interest request so eligibility can be confirmed. LADWP then arranges a complimentary facility assessment to identify suitable improvements and estimate potential savings. A certified program installer completes approved upgrades with minimal disruption to daily operations.

The program is administered in partnership with Willdan. Equipment and installation are provided at no cost to qualified participants, removing a common barrier for businesses that may not have funds available for infrastructure improvements.

A program with a longer reach

LADWP launched the initiative in 2008 as the Small Business Direct Install Program for customers with demand of 30 kW or less. It was renamed Commercial Direct Install in 2016, when eligibility expanded to 200 kW, and the threshold rose to 250 kW in 2018. School installations were added in 2019.

Mayor Karen Bass and LADWP Interim General Manager David W. Hanson presented the program as a way to connect energy efficiency with lower operating costs, emissions reductions, improved air quality and a more resilient electric grid. For businesses considering a broader lighting modernization project, combining utility-sponsored upgrades with reliable, warranty-backed commercial products can help support long-term maintenance and performance goals.

Sources

LADWP and Mayor Karen Bass Highlight Commercial Direct Install Program Supporting Los Angeles BusinessesThrough No-Cost Energy Efficiency Upgrades, LADWP News.
If you’re a small business owner, here’s what you need to know about LADWP’s free energy-saving program, LA Local.