Mayor Kerry Thomson

Page last updated on March 19, 2025 at 5:07 pm

Solar, Energy Efficiency, and Lighting (SEEL) grants for energy efficiency projects are provided as a reimbursement. Applicants must complete the application first and receive project-specific approval by the City before performing any upgrades.

 

SEEL Energy Efficiency Grant Benefits

 

  • $10,000 Grant - The City of Bloomington awards grants to projects with a minimum size of $10,000. If the project costs exceed the grant amount, the remainder of the project costs will be financed by the organization or through lending. Additional financial support is available, such as rebates and tax credits.
  • $3,000 Energy Efficiency Assessment - When participation in the program is confirmed, the SEEL program partner IFF will perform a facility energy assessment and produce a report to inform the grant recipient’s project choice. The energy assessment is valued at $3,000 and the cost of the assessment is covered by the City of Bloomington.

 

Energy Efficiency - Eligible Projects

 

The energy efficiency standards listed below are guidelines for expected efficiency. Proposals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to meet the missions and goals of the SEEL program. 

 

  • LED lighting
    • Convert from incandescent or fluorescent to LED
    • Replace LED lights over 10 years old
    • Install motion sensors
    • New lighting must be Energy Star Certified and/or DLC listed LEDs

 

  • Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
    • Energy efficient air conditioners with 2-stage compressor and variable speed blower
    • Electric or geothermal heat pump systems with heat recovery ventilator
    • Must be EnergyStar Certified
    • Existing unit must be at least 10 years old
    • Electric capacity and wiring upgrades may be included in the project cost covered by the grant, if they are necessary to install the selected equipment
      • Minimum energy factor: SEER 18 or equivalent

 

  • Water heaters
    • Must be EnergyStar Certified
    • Existing unit should be at least 10 years old
    • Must be electric heat pump, solar, or geothermal
      • Minimum energy factor: UEF rating of .92 recommended for commercial electric water heaters. UEF ≥3.30 (or 2.20 for 120 volt/15 amp circuit) for residential-type heat pump water heaters.

 

  • Weatherization and Building Envelope
    • Insulation and sealing improvements
      • Insulation minimum energy ratings: above deck minimum R-30, attic R-60, below-grade R-15
    • Roof upgrades that include cool roofs and insulation improvements
    • Windows and doors with Energy Star certification
      • Windows: U-factor of .30 or lower or SHGC of .40 or lower
      • Doors: Opaque doors U-factor of .2 or lower, storefront window doors U-factor of .3 or lower, or .4 SHGC or lower
        • Buildings in a historic district must contact the City of Bloomington Historic Preservation Program Manager Noah Sandweiss (noah.sandweiss@bloomington.in.gov) to review any proposed changes to the exterior of the building before pursuing a grant.

 

Application and Program Process 

 

  1. Submit the eligibility check form using the SEEL online application system in CiviForm. Log in with your Access Indiana account or create a new account.
  2. For organizations that lease their facility: the eligibility check form will ask you to provide contact information for the property owner so that the City can request their signature on a Building Owner Disclosure and Agreement Form.
  3. Eligible applicants will receive a link to complete the second and final application stage. The SEEL program coordinator will reach out to discuss your application.
  4. Accepted applicants will be connected with IFF, the program partner, to schedule the energy assessment visit.
  5. IFF will produce an energy assessment report and the SEEL program coordinator will arrange a meeting to review the report with you.
  6. Select a project and obtain a quote from a contractor. Send the quote to the SEEL program coordinator for review and approval. Projects must be approved before they are installed to ensure they meet program requirements.
  7. Proceed with project installation.
  8. Provide a final, paid invoice to the SEEL program coordinator, who will schedule a visit to your facility to observe the completed project.
  9. Receive the grant. Grant payment requires a grant agreement to undergo internal City of Bloomington legal review and controller approval, which may take several weeks.

 

Additional Financial Incentives

 

In addition to grants provided through the SEEL program, participants are encouraged to take advantage of readily available financial opportunities such as:

  • federal tax credits
  • utility rebates
  • state property tax exemptions
  • low interest loans

 

Review the commercial rebates and financing web page for more information. These are optional and are the responsibility of the applicant to pursue, though the City will provide guidance where possible. 

 

Contractor Selection

 

Selecting a contractor is up to the grant recipient based on availability, cost, and qualifications for energy efficiency projects. Grant recipients are encouraged to research contractors and obtain multiple quotes to get the best bid. Contractors must install according to the minimum specifications per each project type listed above. 

The local contractor list below is provided to assist the grantee in identifying companies qualified to fulfill their project needs. Business information is provided on an opt-in basis and does not imply endorsement or recommendation of specific companies by the City of Bloomington.

Are you a business interested in being listed as a contractor? Please email sustain@bloomington.in.gov to have your information listed below.
  

Bloomington Contractors:  

 

  • HVAC
    • Quality HVAC, scott@qcomfort.com, 812-336-3372
    • HFI, 812-339-2579
    • Eco-Friendly Mechanical, 812-333-1223
    • All Phase Electric Supply, 812-330-8222
    • D & S Maintenance Inc., 812-333-9233
    • Howard’s Home Improvement, 574-532-9587
    • Kevin Merrimam, 812-842-4850
    • Simanton Mechanical Inc., 812-333-1223
    • Keller Heating Air Conditioning, Inc., 812-332-1161 

 

  • Lighting
    • Jefferson Electric, dani@jeffersonelectricllc.com, 317-418-3917
    • Equity Builders Roofing, schmidt.doug@yahoo.com, 812-650-2424
    • Unrivaled Electric, nathan@unrivaledelectric.com, 812-994-6973
    • PQL, sales@pqlighting.com, 1-800-323-8107
    • All Phase Electric Supply, 812-330-8222
    • Alexander Electric Inc., 812-332-9408
    • D & S Maintenance Inc., 812-333-9233
    • Howard’s Home Improvement, 574-532-9587
    • Let It Shine, 812-961-8856
    • Monroe Lighting LLC, 812-961-8232
    • New Power Solutions, 877-880-8119

 

  • Water Heaters
    • Equity Builders Roofing, schmidt.doug@yahoo.com, 812-650-2424
    • MPI Solar & Mann Plumbing, amie@mpisolarenergy.com, 812-334-4003
    • Quality HVAC, scott@qcomfort.com, 812-336-3372
    • Eco-Friendly Mechanical, 812-333-1223