Plan review
Ask our experts to review your building plans
Our Plan Review Program:
- Offers customers free reviews of proposed building plans and specifications during the preliminary design process.
- Encourages building owners, architects, and design engineers to incorporate energy-efficient designs into new building construction.
- Offers cash incentives for energy-related systems that exceed the Minnesota energy code.
Because HVAC, lighting, controls, and building envelope systems feed off of one another and are best planned in conjunction with each other, the design phase is the best time to plan the use and impact of super-efficient options. For example, a more efficient lighting system in a large retail store reduces heat given off by lights, which can reduce the size requirement of the cooling system. By planning these systems in advance, a customer can reduce upfront capital costs by buying a smaller cooling system and can save future operating costs with the more efficient lighting and cooling systems.
We will compare your building plans to the State of Minnesota Energy Code and will offer cash incentives if you install lighting, heating, building controls, and envelope technology that exceeds that code. Any new commercial building is eligible to participate in the program, but the best candidates are:
- Office buildings.
- Hotels/motels.
- Retail buildings.
- Schools.
- Manufacturing facilities that are larger than 20,000 square feet.
With the Plan Review Program building owners get an energy-efficient facility, often at no additional cost, and lower their annual operating costs. Architects and design engineers learn more about energy-efficient designs and can promote lower operating costs through better building design in the future.
