EnerChange

What EnerChange does

EnerChange is a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization that provides free energy efficiency consulting services to other nonprofits across the state. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Shorewood, Minnesota, the organization operates with an 8-person team led by Executive Director Steve Seidl and Director of Services Delivery Mike Menzel. Its core offering is a bundled six-module program covering on-site energy walkthrough assessments, walkthrough reports, rebate discovery and application support, project financing assistance, project implementation support, and ongoing reporting and tracking. Services are delivered at no cost to the client because EnerChange is funded through Minnesota's Conservation Improvement Program (CIP), with the MN Department of Commerce (Division of Energy Resources), Xcel Energy, and CenterPoint Energy serving as the principal funding and partner channels.

The underlying technology is conventional energy engineering rather than a software platform: assessments are performed in person at nonprofit facilities, covering HVAC systems, lighting and controls, insulation, and the building envelope. Engineering staff produce walkthrough reports identifying specific efficiency measures, then guide clients through Xcel and CenterPoint rebate forms, equipment financing options, and contractor selection. Sub-product capabilities include LED lighting retrofits, HVAC controls installation, refrigerant transition guidance (R-22 to R-410A to R-454B/R-32), utility bill review, and Energy Treasure Hunts. In 2023, EnerChange added solar guidance and Net Zero energy use advisory, and has since developed Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) educational content in partnership with Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs).

The business model is a ratepayer-funded managed services model with no direct client billing. EnerChange is designated as a CIP service provider, which gives it privileged access to utility rebate programs and nonprofit customer flow in Minnesota. Customer segments span ten nonprofit verticals including religious institutions, education, healthcare, community organizations, senior living, multi-family housing, arts, retail, sports, and office operations. The organization reports cumulative outcomes of 1,100+ organizations served, 1,000+ buildings addressed, $20M+ in client savings, and 44M+ pounds of CO2 emissions prevented since inception.

Name

EnerChange

Legal name

EnerChange

Website

https://enerchange.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

EnerChange is a Minnesota nonprofit that delivers free energy efficiency consulting, including on-site walkthroughs, rebate assistance, and project implementation support, to religious, educational, healthcare, and community nonprofit organizations across the state, funded by Minnesota's Conservation Improvement Program through Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Energy Efficiency Consulting

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Renewable Energy & Clean Tech Access (Off-grid, Energy Poverty Solutions) (BPAGALAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Demand Response, Utility Program Enrollment & Smart HVAC Optimization (HSAOANAJ)

Keywords

• Energy efficiency consulting
• Nonprofit energy services
• Building energy assessments
• Utility rebate assistance
• HVAC efficiency services

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis, Minnesota

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Conservation Improvement Program (CIP) Funding: EnerChange services are provided at no cost to nonprofit clients, funded through Minnesota's Conservation Improvement Program (CIP), a collaboration involving Minnesota Utility Ratepayers, the MN Department of Commerce (Division of Energy Resources), Xcel Energy, and CenterPoint Energy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

EnerChange is a nonprofit energy efficiency service provider that delivers a free-to-nonprofits bundled program funded by Minnesota's Conservation Improvement Program (CIP). The core offering comprises six interconnected modules: on-site walkthrough energy assessment, walkthrough report identifying savings opportunities, rebate assistance with utility partners (Xcel Energy, CenterPoint Energy), project financing discovery, project implementation support, and ongoing reporting and tracking. Services cover HVAC, lighting, controls, and building envelope improvements, and have served over 1,100 Minnesota nonprofit organizations across religious, educational, healthcare, community, senior living, multi-family, arts, retail, sports, and office sectors.

Product overview

EnerChange is a nonprofit energy efficiency service provider that offers a free-to-nonprofits program funded by Minnesota's Conservation Improvement Program (CIP). The core service consists of a bundled offering of six interconnected modules: On-Site Walkthrough/Energy Assessment, Walkthrough Report, Rebate Assistance, Project Financing Assistance, Project Implementation Support, and Reporting & Tracking. These services help nonprofits identify and implement energy savings measures including HVAC improvements, LED lighting retrofits, boiler tune-ups, and insulation upgrades. The company has served over 1,100 organizations across religious, educational, healthcare, community, senior living, multi-family, arts, retail, sports, and office sectors. EnerChange also provides educational services including webinars on energy topics and guidance on Inflation Reduction Act incentives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Energy Efficiency Assessment Services On-site walkthrough assessments evaluating HVAC, lighting, controls, and other energy systems to identify savings opportunities for Minnesota nonprofit organizations, delivered free of charge.
• Walkthrough Report Detailed report identifying specific energy savings opportunities and recommended efficiency measures with implementation priorities for nonprofit organizations.
• Rebate Assistance Discovery and securing of energy rebates from utility partners including Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy for nonprofit clients.
• Project Financing Assistance Discovery and application support for equipment financing options, providing nonprofit organizations with a selection of financing options tailored to their debt-avoidance preferences.
• Project Implementation Support Project management guidance and support throughout the implementation of energy efficiency improvements for nonprofit organizations.
• Reporting and Tracking Visualization and communication of progress updates and ongoing energy savings tracking for nonprofit energy efficiency projects.
• LED Lighting Retrofit LED tube retrofit services including Type A/B color selectable tubes for fluorescent fixture replacements, supported by Xcel Energy rebates for nonprofit facilities.
• HVAC Controls Installation Web-based HVAC control system installation using CO2 demand-controlled ventilation and free cooling to reduce HVAC operating costs for nonprofit facilities.
• Utility Bill Review Professional review of utility bills to identify billing errors, available riders, and rate adjustments that can deliver additional savings for nonprofit clients.
• Energy Treasure Hunt Structured process to identify and pursue new ways for nonprofit organizations to save money through energy conservation.
• IRA/Inflation Reduction Act Guidance Guidance on Inflation Reduction Act provisions, direct payments, and tax incentives for clean energy efforts targeting nonprofits and disadvantaged communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average annual savings of $4,000 per nonprofit client
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Minnesota Department of Commerce (Division of Energy Resources)coreOthersState government agency that oversees the Conservation Improvement Program (CIP), providing funding that enables EnerChange to deliver free services to nonprofits. The partnership is foundational to EnerChange's ability to serve the nonprofit sector at no cost.
• Xcel EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor utility provider funding EnerChange through CIP and offering rebates for energy efficiency projects including LED lighting, VFD drives, and HVAC improvements. Provides utility forms and rebate programs that EnerChange helps nonprofits access.
• CenterPoint EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor utility provider funding EnerChange through CIP and offering rebates for boiler tune-ups and other efficiency measures. Provides utility forms and rebate programs that EnerChange helps nonprofits access.
• Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Minnesota-based organization focused on clean energy resources. CERTs and EnerChange co-host webinars on Inflation Reduction Act benefits for nonprofits, with CERTs providing expertise on IRA provisions and financial incentives.
• Climate MakerssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHVAC and boiler service company featured in EnerChange's Big Boiler Webinar. Provides boiler maintenance, tune-ups, and replacement services that complement EnerChange's efficiency recommendations for nonprofits.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Energy Trust of Oregon: Independent nonprofit that delivers energy efficiency and renewable energy programs funded by utility ratepayers in Oregon. Closely mirrors EnerChange's structure — utility-funded, free-to-customer, serving institutional and nonprofit customers — and represents the canonical 'state trust' model EnerChange could emulate for multi-state replication.
• Center for Energy and Environment (CEE): Minnesota-based nonprofit delivering energy efficiency services and research, historically focused on residential programs (Home Energy Squad) but with growing commercial and nonprofit-facing work. Directly comparable to EnerChange in mission, geography, and nonprofit-delivery model, and a likely local collaborator or competitor for CIP-funded contracts.
• Slipstream: Wisconsin-based nonprofit (formerly Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation) that designs and delivers energy efficiency programs for utilities, governments, and communities. Operates the same utility-ratepayer-funded program model as EnerChange, with overlapping service offerings in building assessments, HVAC, and behavioral efficiency — making it the closest cross-state peer.
• Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC): Nonprofit that operates Efficiency Vermont under contract with the Vermont Public Utility Commission, delivering utility-funded energy efficiency programs statewide. Highly comparable structure to EnerChange's CIP-funded model and a frequently cited national benchmark for state-level nonprofit energy efficiency delivery.

Broad incumbents

• Franklin Energy: Large for-profit ESCO that designs and implements utility energy efficiency programs across North America. Operates many of the same utility-funded program structures EnerChange accesses, but at much larger scale and with broader customer segments — representing the broader incumbent landscape EnerChange competes against for program delivery contracts.
• CLEAResult: Largest North American energy efficiency services provider, delivering programs for utilities, governments, and businesses. Overlaps with EnerChange in utility-funded program delivery and rebate administration, but operates across residential, commercial, and industrial segments at national scale.
• Resource Innovations: Energy efficiency, decarbonization, and demand-side management consulting firm serving utilities, governments, and program administrators. Comparable to EnerChange in delivering utility-funded efficiency programs but with significantly broader geographic and customer-segment coverage.

Others

• New Buildings Institute (NBI): Nonprofit working to improve energy efficiency of commercial, institutional, and multifamily buildings through policy, program design, and technical resources. Comparable mission orientation toward institutional building efficiency, with EnerChange's nonprofit vertical as an overlapping customer segment.
• Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA): Regional nonprofit membership organization advancing energy efficiency across the Midwest through policy advocacy, program design, and stakeholder convening. Comparable in mission and nonprofit structure, and a likely collaboration partner for EnerChange on regional program scaling.

Emerging players

• Seventh Generation Advisors: Nonprofit climate and clean energy advisory organization working with local governments, tribes, and community institutions on decarbonization strategy. Partial overlap with EnerChange's institutional customer focus and educational mission, though it operates more upstream on policy and strategy than on direct facility assessments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@EnerchangeOrg
• Facebookfacebook.com/EnerChangeMN
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/enerchange

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EnerChange