Save on Energy – Small Business Program
We help small businesses across Ontario make equipment improvements to reduce their energy consumption.
The Small Business Program offers turn-key, direct installation services for eligible lighting and non-lighting upgrades to qualifying small businesses at no cost.
Offered by Independent Electricity System Operator
Amount
Up to $5,500 in direct-install incentives: up to $3,000 for eligible lighting equipment and up to $2,500 for refrigeration and smart thermostat upgrades, at no cost to you
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
To participate, you must:
- Be an Ontario business with an operating capacity of 50 or fewer employees.
- Own or lease your business space. Business tenants must obtain consent from their landlord and/or building owner to participate.
You may still be eligible for free upgrades if you participated in the former Small Business Lighting program, Refrigeration Efficiency program, Business Refrigeration Incentive program, RTUsaver program and other Save on Energy programs.
I participated in the Save on Energy Small Business Lighting program. Is my business eligible for the Small Business Program?
Participants of the Save on Energy Small Business Lighting program may qualify for non-lighting upgrades and additional lighting upgrades.
I participated in the former Small Business Lighting Program. Is my business eligible for the Small Business Program?
Yes. Past participants that had their lights installed on or after April 1, 2019 may qualify for additional lighting upgrades at no-cost by topping up the value of lighting upgrades you previously received through the program, such that the total value of lights that you receive through the program does not exceed $3,000. For example, if you previously received $2,000 of lights, you may qualify to receive up to an additional $1,000 of lights installed at no-cost by reapplying to the Save on Energy Small Business program. Past participants that had their lights installed before April 1, 2019 may qualify to receive up to $3,000 of lights at no-cost by reapplying to the Save on Energy Small Business Program.
About the funding
- Receive up to $3,000 for eligible lighting equipment
- Receive up to $2,500 for refrigeration and smart thermostat upgrades
Up to $5,500 in direct-install incentives are available for eligible upgrades. Enhance your customer experience, employee satisfaction and bottom line—all at no cost to you.
Note: Certain upgrades that exceed $3,000 for lighting measures and $2,500 for non-lighting measures may qualify for additional incentives (refer to the Eligible Measures List for all upgrades available).
Show all funding details
Is there a cost to participate?
There is no cost to receive an assessment, or to have eligible lighting upgrades of up to $3,000 and non-lighting upgrades of up to $2,500 installed.
If you wish to install additional upgrades that exceed the $3,000 available for lighting and $2,500 available for non-lighting, you will be responsible for paying for the costs of these upgrades, including their installation. Additional incentives may be available for installed upgrades beyond the Small Business Program limits; please refer to the Eligible Measures List for information about the upgrades for the Small Business Program.
Can I receive incentives for additional energy-efficient equipment?
Yes. Businesses may receive incentives for eligible upgrades in addition to the $3,000 available for lighting upgrades and to the $2,500 available for non-lighting upgrades, where applicable.
Can I reallocate or combine incentive amounts?
No. The $3,000 available for eligible lighting upgrades and the $2,500 available for eligible non-lighting upgrades can only be used for equipment in their respective categories.
How is the Small Business Program different from the Retrofit Program and Instant Discounts Program? Can I participate in more than one?
The Small Business Program offers turn-key, direct installation services for eligible lighting and non-lighting upgrades to qualifying small businesses at no cost. This includes a free assessment from qualified energy experts, project management of equipment installation, as well as clean up after installation and disposal of any equipment that is replaced.
Similar programs
| Program | Type | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordable Multi-Family Housing Program | Grant, In-Kind Support | Energy assessments: up to $8,000 per building, to a maximum of $40,000 per housing provider per year | Open |
| Enbridge Gas Audits, Studies & Assessments: Energy Assessments and Meters (formerly: Audits, Studies & Assessments: Commercial Custom Audits & Studies) | Grant, In-Kind Support | Up to 50% of eligible assessment costs, to a maximum of $20,000 per project (institutions) or $10,000 per project (other commercial sectors), capped by previous-year natural gas consumption (up to $6,000 / $10,000 / $20,000) | Open |
| Enbridge Gas Audits, Studies & Assessments: Industrial Studies & Assessments | Grant, In-Kind Support | Complimentary site walkthrough, plus up to 50 percent of costs for energy assessments recommended by an Advisor, to an energy assessment maximum of $6,000 (300k – 3M previous year consumption) or $10,000 (3M – 10 M) | Open |
| Enbridge Gas Building Automation: Affordable Multi-Family Housing Program, Commercial Custom Retrofit Program, and Industrial Custom Engineering Program | Grant, In-Kind Support | Up to 50 percent of incremental project costs (Commercial Custom Retrofit Program | Open |
