Small Business Programs
The Save on Energy Small Business Programs offer local businesses a variety of ways to improve their operational energy efficiency, reduce overall energy consumption, and make their business more comfortable for customers and employees.
These programs offer a range of rebates and upgrade opportunities that can adapt to your business needs.
Explore the available programs below or visit Save on Energy for a complete breakdown.
- Participants in Peak Perks save with their smart thermostats by participating in brief, time-limited thermostat adjustments during periods of peak electricity demand that can occur on the hottest summer days.
- Peak Perks events will occur only on weekdays for up to three hours during periods of peak demand for electricity. Events will not take place on weekends or holidays.
- Events can occur up to 10 times between June and September.
- Prior to an event, your thermostat may be adjusted down slightly to pre-cool your home or business so that you remain comfortable while an event is taking place.
- During an event, your thermostat will be automatically adjusted between two to four degrees Celsius to reduce your home’s energy consumption.
- You are always in control – you will be notified when an event occurs and can opt out at any time during an event from your thermostat provider’s mobile app, or by simply adjusting your smart thermostat back to your desired comfort level.
- Once an event ends, your thermostat will return to its original temperature setting.
Participants receive a $75 electronic prepaid Mastercard when they enroll in Peak Perks. You’ll also receive a $20 electronic prepaid Mastercard for each additional year you remain enrolledTo see if you’re eligible and to enroll, visit the Peak Perks Program webpage. - This program is designed to help small businesses across Ontario make no-cost equipment improvements to lower their energy consumption. Your business can receive up to $3,000 towards lighting upgrades and $2,500 towards non-lighting equipment upgrades.How it works:
- Schedule a free on-site assessment to identify energy-efficiency opportunities for your business, including lighting, refrigeration and smart thermostat upgrades.
- After the assessment, you will be presented with options for energy-efficient upgrades that can be installed in your business, free of charge.
- Qualified Save on Energy delivery partners will handle the entire installation process on your behalf – everything from searching for a qualified contractor to obtaining quotes and scheduling installations, and even project management of the retrofit and clean-up.
To see if you're eligible and to apply, visit the Small Business Program webpage. - Receive upfront discounts from participating distributors on the purchase of energy-efficient lighting products that will help to lower your business’s energy consumption, improve your bottom line and transform your space.How to participate:
- Visit a participating distributor/dealer.
- Purchase your eligible lighting equipment and provide your installation address and business name at checkout.
- Your participating distributor/dealer will apply your discount – no paperwork required.
To find a participating distributor near you, visit the Instant Discounts Program webpage. - Get up to 50% of your eligible cost covered for energy-efficiency upgrades!Through the Retrofit Program, your business can receive an incentive for the completion of several energy-efficient upgrades in lighting, heating, cooling and ventilation, manufacturing/process equipment and other equipment.Projects eligible for the Retrofit Program are generally those that provide sustainable, measurable and verifiable reductions in peak electricity demand and electricity consumption. Project incentives are available for a variety of products and technologies to help businesses save on energy costs and increase their competitiveness.
Examples of eligible projects include but are not limited to:
- solar photovoltaic systems
- computer room air conditioners
- industrial energy management information system
- network lighting controls
- HVAC redesign
- chiller replacement
- variable-speed drive installations
- custom equipment retrofits
For a complete breakdown and to apply, visit the Retrofit Program webpage.
Large Business Programs
Whether it's a major renovation or a smaller upgrade, see the return on your investment in energy-efficiency upgrades faster. From building retrofits to equipment upgrades to professional training, Save on Energy has the program that is right for your business and the incentives that make it an even smarter decision.
Explore the available programs below or visit Save on Energy for a complete breakdown.
- The XLerate Program is a streamlined, pay-for-performance initiative that provides industrial, municipal, institutional, and healthcare sectors with a simplified approach to undertaking large-scale energy-efficiency projectsProject feasibility study funding at a 50% cost share helps organizations assess opportunities and reduce upfront risk.Comprehensive support services guide participants from initial scoping through to implementation and measurement and verificationLower thresholds for projects that will deliver a minimum 600 MWh of electricity savings.Project incentives of $300/MWh up to 75% of eligible project costs, with a maximum of $15 million per project.To see if you're eligible and to enroll, visit the XLerate Program webpage.
- The Expanded Energy Management program provides funding for industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities to improve energy efficiency through:
- Hiring of an energy manager
- Implementation of an energy management information systems
- Strategic energy management coaching
- Free training opportunities
To see full eligibility and to enroll, visit the Expanded Energy Management Program webpage. - Receive upfront discounts from participating distributors on the purchase of energy-efficient lighting products that will help to lower your business’s energy consumption, improve your bottom line and transform your space.How to participate:
- Visit a participating distributor/dealer.
- Purchase your eligible lighting equipment and provide your installation address and business name at checkout.
- Your participating distributor/dealer will apply your discount – no paperwork required.
To find a participating distributor near you, visit the Instant Discounts Program webpage. - Get up to 50% of your eligible cost covered for energy-efficiency upgrades!Through the Retrofit Program, your business can receive an incentive for the completion of several energy-efficient upgrades in lighting, heating, cooling and ventilation, manufacturing/process equipment and other equipment.Projects eligible for the Retrofit Program are generally those that provide sustainable, measurable and verifiable reductions in peak electricity demand and electricity consumption. Project incentives are available for a variety of products and technologies to help businesses save on energy costs and increase their competitiveness.
Examples of eligible projects include but are not limited to:
- solar photovoltaic systems
- computer room air conditioners
- industrial energy management information system
- network lighting controls
- HVAC redesign
- chiller replacement
- variable-speed drive installations
- custom equipment retrofits
For a complete breakdown and to apply, visit the Retrofit Program webpage. The Energy Performance Program rewards customers who are able to make behavioural and operational changes that support capital investment projects, enabling them to grow their energy savings year over year.
The program is based on a pay-for-performance model that encourages whole building energy performance improvements.
Participants have choice and flexibility in implementing capital and non-capital energy-efficiency measuresParticipants receive a performance incentive calculated as incentive rate multiplied by electricity savings. The electricity savings are determined by comparing metered consumption to their baseline energy model.
The incentive rates are defined as:- $0.30/kWh for energy consumed on business days between June 1 and September 30 (inclusive), between the hours of 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. (EDT).
- $0.08/kWh for savings during non-summer peak hours
For a complete breakdown and to apply, visit the Energy Performance Program webpage.- The Existing Building Commissioning program is designed to help owners, operators and managers of commercial and institutional buildings in Ontario improve their energy management. Implementing building management best practices will help reduce energy waste, enhance occupant comfort and increase profitability.The program offers financial incentives to commercial building owners to hire qualified commissioning providers to undertake building recommissioning at their facilities, helping them realize energy savings from improved facility operations and maintenance business practices.
The building commissioning process is carried out by an accredited building commissioning provider who will identify potential energy conservation measures and work with the participant to implement recommended building improvements.
The program also provides pay-for-performance incentives for savings achieved through implementation of these practices. The commissioning provider will train participants to engage in ongoing commissioning and to integrate this process into their standard management practices.For complete eligibility and to apply, visit the Existing Building Commissioning Program webpage.