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Millions of $$$ of utility rebates
If you manage a building in Chicago, there’s a good chance you’re paying more than you should to keep it warm in the winter and cool in the summer. And worse, you’re probably missing out on tens of thousands of dollars in utility rebates that could help cut your costs back.
Utilities like Peoples Gas offer giant rebates to help building owners upgrade old, inefficient equipment. We’re not talking about minor savings. These rebates can cover significant amounts of the cost of installing smart building controls, replacing outdated HVAC components, and making energy-saving improvements. But hardly anyone is taking advantage. And now, these programs are starting to disappear.
Most Chicago Buildings Are Bleeding Energy
Walk into most buildings across the city and you’ll see the same thing: outdated controls that haven’t been updated since they were installed decades ago. These legacy timer-based systems are wildly inefficient. They overheat apartments, waste gas, and run cooling 24/7 even when buildings don’t need it.
This is a serious cost driver for building owners. Chicago’s winters are long, summers are hot and gas prices are unpredictable. Without smarter controls, buildings are spending thousands more each year on energy than they need to.
Why These Rebates Exist
The rebates aren’t just a perk from the utility companies. They’re mandated by state energy policy to reduce carbon emissions and help avoid costly infrastructure upgrades. Rather than have to constantly expand capacity, utilities like Peoples Gas are incentivized to help buildings use less gas.
That’s where you come in. If you manage a large multifamily or commercial building, the utility will literally pay you to reduce your energy usage. But only if you know how to navigate the system. Fortunately there are companies like Runwise who have built free tools and processes like this one to do that work for you.
The Clock Is Ticking - Rebates Are Going Away
For the last few years, rebate programs have been flush with extra funding thanks to federal climate legislation. But that’s changing. Several utilities have already reported that their 2025 rebate budgets will shrink or be cut entirely.
Some Chicago-area programs have already started scaling back; there are fewer eligible projects, smaller payouts, and more red tape. If your building hasn’t already applied for rebates, the window to do so may close very soon. We suggest doing this now. That free tool linked above from Runwise is a great starting point.
Real Money To Make Real Cuts In Energy Costs
These programs are a big deal because the results are HUGE. Runwise has helped buildings across Chicago unlock five- and six-figure rebates for projects that cut energy bills 20% or more and immediately improve tenant comfort.
Check Your Building’s Eligibility Now
The majority of buildings in Chicago are missing out on a lot of money simply because no one told them it was there. Utilities usually won’t spend the money to advertise these programs (they work with companies like Runwise to spread the word).
If you’re not sure if your building is eligible, Runwise can help you find out. They created a free tool to help building owners and operators capture any available rebates before they vanish. Use their free tool and you’ll get the information about the rebates you qualify for.
