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GreenSense rebates rose after funding boost; staff report 776,388 kWh saved and 444 metric tons CO2e avoided
Summary
Caitlin Davis, an environmental services coordinator, told the Denton City Sustainability Committee that GreenSense rebates rose sharply after a budget increase from $250,000 to $1,000,000 and that staff estimate HVAC and insulation retrofits reduced electricity use by about 776,388 kWh and greenhouse-gas emissions by about 444 metric tons CO2e.
Caitlin Davis, an environmental services coordinator, presented results for Denton City’s GreenSense Energy Efficiency Incentive Program on July 25, reporting a significant increase in rebate awards and estimated energy and greenhouse-gas reductions after program changes in fiscal year 2023–24.
Davis said the GreenSense program, administered by the Environmental Services and Sustainability Division and funded through Denton Municipal Electric (DME), began in February 2009 and focuses on building-envelope and building-system retrofits. She told the committee the program’s annual budget grew from $250,000 to $1,000,000 for FY2023–24 and that incentive levels were increased for the measures with the largest estimated energy savings.
Davis reported that between FY2023 and FY2024 the total number of energy-efficiency rebates increased 118%, which staff attributed to the funding increase, higher incentive levels, improved online processing and stepped-up outreach including social media, utility-bill ads and flyers. Staff said the program added HVAC tune-up rebates, weatherization kits and dedicated funding for fan giveaways targeted to renters; EV and e-bike incentives have been moved to a separate framework fund this fiscal year.
On outcomes, Davis and staff presented the program’s energy and emissions estimates for two large retrofit categories. They reported a combined reduction of 776,388 kilowatt hours from HVAC and insulation retrofits in the measured period, which staff converted to an estimated 444 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent using U.S. EPA methods. Davis said staff used residential load calculations and DME rates to estimate annual bill savings.
Staff also presented cost-effectiveness measures: several high-impact retrofit types were compared by estimated cost per kilowatt-hour reduced. Staff noted the calculations are for the first year of equipment operation rather than lifetime savings and that further analysis is in progress.
Committee members asked for more granular cost-per-dollar impact data — for example, gross installed cost versus rebates and kWh reductions per dollar — so the committee can better target incentive levels. Members also asked about program reach: staff said most rebates went to homes built in 2009 or earlier and that landlords and small property managers (including some 10-unit properties) sometimes participate. Davis said GreenSense has worked with multiple installers and that outreach to HOAs, employer lunch-and-learns, neighborhood Facebook groups and targeted postcards were being used or considered to raise participation.
On spending, staff said they had spent about $600,000 through June 30 and roughly $700,000 including commitments since then; staff noted the FY24–25 figures exclude EV and e-bike incentives that were moved to the framework fund (about $140,000 of spend in the prior year). Staff listed next steps including tracking additional program metrics, improving data collection, and continuing to monitor budget discussions with city council. No formal action was taken.
