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Call Us: 410-321-5936

Happier Residents,Fewer Maintenance Worries.

Our lighting, water, and building envelope improvements increase the durability of your buildings.

Green Your Communities –
and Your Bottom Line.

Zerodraft has helped over 100 multifamily communities achieve lasting utility savings.

Showcase Your Property in the Best Light

Our expertise in multifamily lighting will make your property look better than ever before, while improving resident safety and security.
In-Unit Upgrades
Quick Home Energy Check-up

Quick Home Energy Checkups (QHECs)

A few quick improvements can make a massive difference, especially when multiplied by hundreds of units. That’s why Maryland utilities sponsor no-cost multifamily unit upgrades known as Quick Home Energy Checkups (QHECs).  Zerodraft has upgraded thousands of units around the region and is a leader among utility efficiency subcontractors.

Quick Home Energy Check-up

Air Sealing

Our trained technicians quickly identify priority areas of air infiltration/exfiltration. Reducing air infiltration can improve the indoor air quality by keeping out harmful pollutants. Air sealing can also help extend the life of your HVAC equipment by keeping the conditioned air inside the living space, thus reducing the time equipment is operating.

Water Efficiency Upgrades

Smart Water Heating Monitoring

Zerodraft partners with Mosaic Power to deliver a smart water heater monitoring system. This device gets wired into your standard electric water heater to provide energy and usage monitoring. This allows us to detect when the unit starts failing well before any major damage occurs. The best part is that you, the property owner/manager, actually will make money on this! This service can be provided through a variety of financing structures suitable for any ownership structure.

Water Efficiency Upgrades

Lighting Design & Installation

Showcase your units in the best possible light!  Residents love new integral LED fixtures for their clean, even light quality and dimming capabilities. Property managers love the fact that new fixtures eliminate the hassle of bulb changes and drastically reduce maintenance stock and expense.  As experts on regional utility incentives, we will also ensure that you are not overpaying for lighting fixtures and bulbs. If you’re looking for high-value, high-efficiency lighting, then it’s time to give Zerodraft a call.

Lighting Design & Installation

Smart Thermostats

A thermostat is the brain of a heating/cooling system, and having a smart thermostat is key to any smart energy management system. Zerodraft works with regional utility demand response programs to market digital thermostats that benefit your residents and your portfolio assets.

Water Efficiency Upgrades

Bathroom Exhaust Fan Replacement

As an integral piece of health and safety equipment, having an effective, modern bathroom exhaust fan can go a long way in improving the overall indoor air quality of your apartment. Replacing the exhaust fan can also assist in reducing your maintenance and repair costs by removing excess humidity and limiting the potential for mold/mildew growth.

Some of Our Recent In-Unit Projects

Cumberland Arms

Cumberland, MD

Cumberland Arms, Edgewood Management
apartment icon Units Serviced: 66
Light bulb photo Annual kWh saved: 8,789
water icon Annual Gallons of Water Saved: 643,860
Scope of Work: This historic property in Cumberland, MD, chose to participate in its utility Quick Home Energy Check-up program in order to ensure that its in-unit lighting and water fixtures were modern and up-to-date. Zerodraft’s crews replaced over 200 old incandescent bulbs with energy efficient CFLs and LEDs, while installing 97 efficient-flow faucet aerators and 26 showerheads.

Orchards at Severn

Severn, MD

Orchards at Severn, Apartment Services
apartment icon Units Serviced: 439
Light bulb photo Annual kWh saved: 66,610
water icon Annual Gallons of Water Saved: 4,930,110
Scope of Work: This blended townhome/apartment community had Zerodraft install a variety of measures as part of its Quick Home Energy Check-up energy conservation efforts: over 2,700 CFL and 111 LED bulbs, 654 efficient-flow faucet aerators, and 331 showerheads, all available at no cost to residents or management.

Ridgeview at Wakefield

Westminster, MD

Ridgeview at Wakefield, Home Properties
apartment icon Units Serviced: 195
Light bulb photo Annual kWh saved: 187,740
water icon Annual Gallons of Water Saved: 2,375,640
Scope of Work: Through the utility-sponsored Quick Home Energy Check-up Program, the property had Zerodraft install over 2000 CFL and 153 LED bulbs, replacing older and inefficient incandescent bulbs in units, while installing 329 faucet aerators, 123 efficient-flow showerheads, and 702 feet of pipe wrap, resulting in long-term savings for both residents and ownership.

The Point at Germantown

Germantown, MD

The Point at Germantown, Pantzer Properties
  thermostat icon   Thermostats Installed: 217
Value icon Value of Installations: $43,000
Scope of Work: Working with Pepco’s “Energy Wise Rewards™ Program,” Zerodraft was able to procure digital, web-programmable thermostats to replace the property’s aging analog thermostats. Installation across the property was completed in about a week, at absolutely no cost to residents or ownership. Even better still, residents who choose to participate in demand-response peak cycling benefit from even more savings in the form of annual bill credits from the utility.

Potomac Woods I and II

Woodbridge, VA

Potomac Woods I and II, Residential One
heat pump tune-up Heat Pumps Serviced: 128
Value icon Value of Tune-Up Service: $11,500
Scope of Work: Through the auspices of Dominion’s Multifamily Heat Pump Tune-Up program, Zerodraft and its local HVAC partner were able to offer this senior living community a tune-up maintenance program of the property’s air-source heat pumps at absolutely no cost to residents or management. Each tune-up was conducted by a trained HVAC technician and involved a multi-point inspection designed to help the residents save money and stay comfortable, while helping property management reduce operating costs and extend the service life of the equipment.
Common-Area Upgrades
Lighting Retrofits

Lighting Retrofits

Lighting upgrades are one of the smartest ways to make a permanent dent in rising electricity costs, and multifamily property managers love LEDs for their bright, clean light and long life (5-year warranty on most fixtures).  With over 100 multifamily LED lighting projects to our credit, we have the expertise and the in-house crews to spec and install a lighting job that will put your property in the best light.

Building Envelope Upgrades

Building Envelope Upgrades

Do you know what’s in your walls and attics? For many older multifamily properties, the answer is “not much.” Air leaks and insulation deficiencies often lead to tenant comfort complaints, high bills, and problems with humidity and moisture control.  Our experienced auditors, led by a registered architect, have the tools and experience to diagnose common building envelope problems, and our air sealing crews are true to our name – we know how to combat drafts!

HVAC Efficiency

HVAC Efficiency

Don’t have the budget for a new heating or cooling system? That’s no reason to accept high heating and cooling costs. Together with our expert mechanical partners, our auditors can identify low-cost, high-payback items, such as economizers and controls, that will extend the life of your HVAC systems and lower your annual usage.

Some of Our Recent Common Area Projects

Regency Club

Glen Burnie, MD

Regency Club, The Donaldson Group
Lightning Bolt Annual kWh saved: 105,286
Money Annual Savings: $13,161
Payback Period Payback Period: 2.8 years
Scope of Work: This large multifamily community had Zerodraft convert 247 interior and exterior fixtures to LED, thereby taking a chunk out of their ongoing energy and maintenance costs while brightening up the property.

Knights Bridge I Apartments

Silver Spring, MD

Knights Bridge I Apartments, Grady Management
Lightning Bolt Annual kWh saved: 32,128
Money Annual Savings: $4,177
Payback Period Payback Period: 2.4 years
Scope of Work: In order to improve light quality and stay competitive, the property engaged Zerodraft to replace 50 lighting fixtures throughout the property, while retrofitting 118 fixtures. The retrofitting portion allowed the property to retain attractive, functioning stairwell fixtures while still upgrading the light source to LED, keeping payback low and project ROI high.

IO Piazza

Arlington, VA

IO Piazza, Windsor Communities
Lightning Bolt Annual kWh saved: 103,911
Money Annual Savings: $12,469
Payback Period Payback Period: 1.9 years
Scope of Work: This luxury high-rise community turned to Zerodraft to upgrade the lighting in its covered parking garage. Zerodraft installed 155 new high-efficiency LED parking garage fixtures, and retrofitted 14 additional fixtures.
Measure and Verify Your Success

We have the expertise and equipment to help you improve your physical facility, but we can also help with your overall energy management program. Whether you are a multi-site property management company or a small business just starting an energy management program, we can help ensure that:

  • you are being billed fairly and correctly for your energy usage
  • you are compliant with requirements — and receive proper recognition for your improvements
  • you receive proper utility, regional transmission, and tax credits for your energy conservation improvements
Utility Bill Review

Utility Invoice Review

Do you understand your utility invoices and are you being billed correctly? Are you getting competitive utility supply rates with fair contract terms? Zerodraft and its partners provide no-cost utility invoice review and supply consulting services on a contingency basis. When we’re through with your review, you’ll either be saving money or have the peace of mind in knowing you’re being billed correctly and fairly.

Energy Benchmarking

Property benchmarking… coming soon to a jurisdiction near you!  If your city or county does not already require you to track and report your property’s energy data with EPA Portfolio Manager®, it’s a good bet that this requirement is on the way.  Zerodraft can help you stay compliant and turn this requirement into actionable data that helps you better budget for costs and prioritize projects.

Energy Benchmarking
Solar Feasibility Test

Solar

The wide-open roof spaces, multi-family utility rates, and generous tax credits available to multifamily owners make many garden-style apartment communities ideal properties for  PV solar. Think solar is too expensive? If you haven’t looked at the numbers in a while, you may be pleasantly surprised! Contact us for your free solar site assessment.

     Your Multifamily Utility Rebates and Incentives

What programs and incentives can you receive for your mid-Atlantic properties?

BGE NO COST In-Unit Upgrades:

Quick Home Energy Check-up (QHEC) Program

Residents of individually and master-metered multifamily apartment and condominium communities are eligible to receive a variety of energy-saving measures installed at no cost, including LED light bulbs, efficient-flow showerheads and aerators, and pipe wrap. Click here for the official program website, and contact us to to see if your units qualify for this service.

Update: the QHEC program now includes smart thermostats!

BGE Common Area / Master-Metered Utility Lighting Rebates

Generous prescriptive (per-item) rebates cover up to 50% of the cost of certain multifamily LED upgrade projects, including exterior and hallway lighting, while funding is available.  Click here for the official program website.

Maryland County Programs (PACE Financing)

Certain Maryland counties now allow 100% upfront, on-board financing that is tied to your property tax bill and transferable upon sale of the property.  For a current list of participating counties, please click here.

*Please visit our Commercial or Residential pages if you are looking for information on programs for commercial properties or single family homes.

Pepco NO COST In-Unit Upgrades:

Quick Home Energy Check-up (QHEC) Program

Residents of individually and master-metered multifamily apartment and condominium communities are eligible to receive a variety of energy-saving measures installed at no cost, including light bulbs, efficient-flow showerheads and aerators, and pipe wrap. Click here for the official program website, and contact us to see if your units qualify for this service.

Update: the QHEC program now includes smart thermostats!

Pepco Common Area / Master-Metered Utility Lighting Rebates

Extremely generous prescriptive (per-item) rebates cover up to 50% of the cost of certain multifamily LED upgrade projects for projects classified as Medium/Large utility accounts, and 80% of the cost of projects classified as Small utility accounts, while funding is available.  Eligible lighting projects include exterior and hallway lighting; Zerodraft is one of a handful of pre-approved multifamily program contractors. These energy efficiency incentives are some of the best in the nation, so funding may not last for long. Click here for details on the Pepco Multifamily program.

Maryland County Programs (PACE Financing)

Certain Maryland counties now allow 100% upfront, on-board financing that is tied to your property tax bill and transferable upon sale of the property.  For a current list of participating counties, please click here.

*Please visit our Commercial or Residential pages if you are looking for information on programs for commercial properties or single family homes.

Delmarva NO COST In-Unit Upgrades:

Quick Home Energy Check-up (QHEC) Program

Residents of individually and master-metered multifamily apartment and condominium communities are eligible to receive a variety of energy-saving measures installed at no cost, including light bulbs, efficient-flow showerheads and aerators, and pipe wrap. Click here for the official program website, and contact us to see if your units qualify for this service. Update: the QHEC program now includes smart thermostats!

Delmarva Common Area / Master-Metered Utility Lighting Rebates

Extremely generous prescriptive (per-item) rebates cover up to 50% of the cost of certain multifamily LED upgrade projects for projects classified as Medium/Large utility accounts, and 80% of the cost of projects classified as Small utility accounts, while funding is available.  Eligible lighting projects include exterior and hallway lighting; Zerodraft is one of a handful of pre-approved multifamily program contractors. These energy efficiency incentives are some of the best in the nation, so funding may not last for long. Click here for details on the Delmarva Multifamily program.

Maryland County Programs (PACE Financing)

Certain Maryland counties now allow 100% upfront, on-board financing that is tied to your property tax bill and transferable upon sale of the property.  For a current list of participating counties, please click here.

*Please visit our Commercial or Residential pages if you are looking for information on programs for commercial properties or single family homes.

Potomac Edison NO COST In-Unit Upgrades:

Quick Home Energy Check-up (QHEC) Program

Residents of individually and master-metered multifamily apartment and condominium communities are eligible to receive a variety of energy-saving measures installed at no cost, including light bulbs, efficient-flow showerheads and aerators, and pipe wrap. Click here for the official program website, and contact us to see if your units qualify for this service.

Potomac Edison Common Area / Master-Metered Utility Lighting Rebates

Generous prescriptive (per-item) rebates cover up to 50% of the cost of certain multifamily LED upgrade projects, including exterior and hallway lighting, while funding is available.  Click here for the official program website.

Update: please note that all funding has been committed and the program is currently frozen.  Contact us if you wish to be notified when the program is processing rebate applications again.

Regional Transmission Operator (PJM Interconnect) Energy Efficiency Credits

PJM, our regional transmission operator, offers additional energy efficiency resource credits which can amount to up to 10% of the value of an energy efficiency project, depending on the exact measures enacted. Only certain utility programs allow “double dipping” of utility rebates and PJM credits.  Zerodraft typically deducts the value of any available PJM credits from the initial customer payment.

Maryland County Programs (PACE Financing)

Certain Maryland counties now allow 100% upfront, on-board financing that is tied to your property tax bill and transferable upon sale of the property.  For a current list of participating counties, please click here.

*Please visit our Commercial or Residential pages if you are looking for information on programs for commercial properties or single family homes.

SMECO NO COST In-Unit Upgrades:

Quick Home Energy Check-up (QHEC) Program

Residents of individually and master-metered multifamily apartment and condominium communities are eligible to receive a variety of energy-saving measures installed at no cost, including light bulbs, efficient-flow showerheads and aerators, and pipe wrap. Click here for the official program website, and contact us to if your units qualify for this service.

SMECO Common Area / Master-Metered Utility Lighting Rebates

Generous prescriptive (per-item) rebates cover up to 50% of the cost of certain multifamily LED upgrade projects, including exterior and hallway lighting, while funding is available.  Click here for the official program website.

Maryland County Programs (PACE Financing)

Certain Maryland counties now allow 100% upfront, on-board financing that is tied to your property tax bill and transferable upon sale of the property.  For a current list of participating counties, please click here.

*Please visit our Commercial or Residential pages if you are looking for information on programs for commercial properties or single family homes.

Pepco DC Common Area / Master-Metered Utility Lighting Rebates

Prescriptive (per-item) rebates cover up to 25% of the cost of certain multifamily LED upgrade projects, including exterior and hallway lighting, while funding is available.  Click here for the official program website.

Update: please note that all funding has been committed and the program is currently frozen.  Contact us if you wish to be notified when the program is processing rebate applications again.

*Please visit our Commercial or Residential pages if you are looking for information on programs for commercial properties or single family homes.

Dominion Energy Common-area Lighting and In-Unit Rebates

Prescriptive (per-item) rebates cover up to 30% of the cost of certain multifamily LED upgrade projects, including exterior and hallway lighting, while funding is available.  The multifamily program also provides potential in-unit upgrades such as water savings measures, LED light bulbs, and air sealing. Click here for the official program website.

Update: the program now includes Google smart thermostats!

Regional Transmission Operator (PJM Interconnect) Energy Efficiency Credits

PJM, our regional transmission operator, offers additional energy efficiency resource credits which can amount to up to 10% of the value of an energy efficiency project, depending on the exact measures enacted. Only certain utility programs allow “double dipping” of utility rebates and PJM credits. Zerodraft typically deducts the value of any available PJM credits from the initial customer payment.

*Please visit our Commercial or Residential pages if you are looking for information on programs for commercial properties or single family homes.

MetEd Lighting Rebates

Rebates are calculated according to either prescriptive (per-item) measures or annual kWh saved ($.05/kWh) and can amount to 20-50% of total LED upgrade cost, depending on the type of fixtures and facility burn hours.  Multifamily LED upgrade projects can include a variety of measures, such as exterior and hallway lighting.  Click here for the official program website.

Regional Transmission Operator (PJM Interconnect) Energy Efficiency Credits

PJM, our regional transmission operator, offers additional energy efficiency resource credits which can amount to up to 10% of the value of an energy efficiency project, depending on the exact measures enacted. Only certain utility programs allow “double dipping” of utility rebates and PJM credits. Zerodraft typically deducts the value of any available PJM credits from the initial customer payment.

*Please visit our Commercial or Residential pages if you are looking for information on programs for commercial properties or single family homes.

PPL Lighting Rebates

Rebates are calculated according to annual kWh saved ($.05/kWh) and can amount to 15-30% of total LED upgrade cost, depending on the type of fixtures and facility burn hours.  Multifamily LED upgrade projects can include a variety of measures, such as exterior and hallway lighting.  Click here for the official program website.

Regional Transmission Operator (PJM Interconnect) Energy Efficiency Credits

PJM, our regional transmission operator, offers additional energy efficiency resource credits which can amount to up to 10% of the value of an energy efficiency project, depending on the exact measures enacted. Only certain utility programs allow “double dipping” of utility rebates and PJM credits. Zerodraft typically deducts the value of any available PJM credits from the initial customer payment.

*Please visit our Commercial or Residential pages if you are looking for information on programs for commercial properties or single family homes.

Delmarva DE Lighting Rebates

Prescriptive (per-item) rebates cover up to 40% of the cost of certain LED upgrade projects, while funding is available.  Multifamily LED upgrade projects can include a variety of measures, such as exterior and hallway lighting.  Click here for the official program website.

*Please visit our Commercial or Residential pages if you are looking for information on programs for commercial properties or single family homes.

Our Clients
Frequently Asked Questions
General Zerodraft Information
Is Zerodraft MD licensed and insured?

Yes, Zerodraft is fully certified, licensed, and insured to meet or exceed all utility standards. All of our auditors are certified by the Building Performance institute

How many multifamily projects have you performed?

Over the past seven years, Zerodraft has completed energy efficiency upgrade projects at over 200 distinct multifamily projects across the mid-Atlantic region.  

 

In-Unit Upgrades
What Energy Upgrade Measures are included in the QHEC program?

The direct installation measures include: efficient-flow shower heads, efficient-flow faucet aerators, efficiency light bulbs, as well as water heater tank wrap, pipe insulation and “smart” power strips. *Update: as of October 1, 2016, the program has been improved to include LED bulbs!* All measures are subject to program specific installation and quantities.

 

Do all residents in the community have to participate?

No, tenants may opt out of the program if they choose. However, most property owners prefer that all units be upgraded uniformly for ease of maintenance and repair in the future.

Do residents have to be home for QHEC upgrades?

No, maintenance can give Zerodraft entrance to all participating units in a tenant’s absence.

How long will it take to complete a QHEC upgrade?

We typically install upgrade measures in less than 15-minutes per unit with an average of 60 units or more per day.

 

What should residents do if they have questions or comments regarding QHEC upgrades?

We maintain a 24-hour QHEC hotline for any questions or comments regarding upgrades. We will provide you and your tenants with the 24-hour QHEC hotline (1-800-385-5535) or else you can reach us during business hours at 410-312-5936

 

How much does a QHEC cost?

The program is fully funded by the “EmPOWER Maryland” initiative, so there is no cost to tenant or property owners. These upgrades will save apartment residents and condo owners more than $100/unit per year in electricity bills and save management more than $40/unit per year on water and sewer fees.

Common Area Upgrades
What other energy efficiency measures does Zerodraft provide?

Zerodraft participates in additional utility-sponsored common area upgrade programs, which can further reduce operating costs by upgrading your building’s lighting, HVAC systems, and envelope. After completing your in-unit upgrades, we can provide you with recommendations concerning additional programs that further reduce energy expense.

 

 

 

Will LED Lighting reduce our maintenance costs?

Absolutely.  Besides the substantial reduction in your lighting costs, you will also enjoy lighting that is virtually maintenance free.  New LED fixtures last 10 years or longer, and don’t have ballasts or bulbs need to change.

How do you choose the right lights for my facility?

We are officially vendor-neutral and have years’ of experience in finding lighting product that meets the right criteria of reliability, aesthetics, utility specifications, and price.  We often buy in bulk and factory-direct, which enables us to be extremely price-competitive, but we can also work with you if you have a preferred manufacturer or aesthetic for your property.

Can you upgrade our PL lights to LED?

Yes.  Compact Fluorescent PL lights (a type of ballasted CFL most often found in recessed can fixtures) are very common to hallway lighting because they are a reasonably efficient light with neutral aesthetics.  However, they are widely disliked by maintenance because of issues with flicker and the necessity of frequent ballast changes. There are now a wide variety of LED replacement solutions that offer a higher-quality light that is more efficient and maintenance-free. Some utility programs now even offer a rebate for this conversion.

What warranty do you provide?

On all of our common-area lighting jobs, we provide a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty on all fixtures, and a 1-year service warranty on labor.

 

What kind of rebates can I expect?

This depends on a number of factors, including your state, utility, existing building condition, and your electric rate classification.  Rebates can range from as low as 10% to as high as 80% of final project cost.  We are utility program experts and would be happy to give you a straightforward assessment of what utility programs can do for you.

Do you handle the rebate paperwork?

Yes.  We take care of all of the utility rebate paperwork and reporting requirements so you don’t have to.  In addition, and unlike many other contractors, we offer the option of discounting the utility rebate directly from your final project cost so that you don’t have to wait 12 weeks or even longer for the utility rebate to arrive.

 

More questions?

Please contact us today with your project-specific questions!

No Cost. No Obligation.

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