Business conservation

The Government of Ontario has made changes to the conservation programs in Ontario and directed the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to centrally deliver energy-efficiency programs until December 31, 2020. Ontario businesses will continue to have access to incentives for retrofits and other energy-efficiency projects to help lower their energy costs.

Have a project underway?

If you already have pre-approval for Save on Energy applications, you still have until December 31, 2020 to complete your project through Toronto Hydro*.

*Please note: If you have pre-approval for Audit Funding, you will have until December 31, 2019 to complete your project.

Planning on submitting an application for a new Retrofit project?

Any Retrofit applications submitted to Toronto Hydro before April 1, 2019 and pre-approved by May 1, 2019 will continue to be managed by Toronto Hydro. Any applications that do not receive pre-approval by May 1, 2019 will be reassigned to the IESO. The IESO will manage any new Retrofit applications starting April 1, 2019.

New applications can no longer be accepted for any of the following conservation programs:

  • Audit Funding Program
  • Residential New Construction
  • High Performance New Construction
  • Existing Building Commissioning
  • Monitoring and Targeting
  • Business Refrigeration Incentive
  • Pumpsaver
  • OPsaver
  • Smart RT for Small and Mid-Size Business (RTU Saver)
  • Suitesaver

Frequently Asked Questions

The following programs are still available:

  • Retrofit
  • Small Business Lighting
  • Energy Manager Program
  • Process and System Upgrades (to be combined with the Industrial Accelerator Program)
  • Energy Performance Program
  • Home Assistance Program (HAP)

To submit your application, please contact the IESO at saveonenergy@ieso.ca or visit Save on Energy.

  • If you already have pre-approval for an application under the Retrofit, Process and System Upgrades or High Performance New Construction (HPNC), you still have until December 31, 2020 to complete your project through Toronto Hydro
  • If you already have a pre-approval for an application under Audit Funding programs, you still have until December 31, 2019 to complete your project through Toronto Hydro
  • Any Retrofit applications submitted to Toronto Hydro before April 1, 2019 and pre-approved before May 1, 2019 will continue to be managed by Toronto Hydro
  • Any applications that do not receive pre-approval before May 1, 2019 will be reassigned to the IESO
  • Customers with existing contracts can still expect to have the incentive paid on project completion (which must be by Dec. 31 2020)

The following programs will no longer be offered:

  • Instant Discount (Deal Days)
  • Heating and Cooling program
  • Business Refrigeration Incentive
  • Audit Funding Program
  • Residential New Construction
  • High Performance New Construction
  • Existing Building Commissioning
  • Monitoring and Targeting
  • Pumpsaver
  • Adaptive Thermostat Rebate Program
  • Home Energy Savings Program (PowerLens®)
  • OPsaver
  • Smart RT for Small and Mid-Size Business (RTU Saver)
  • Poolsaver
  • Suitesaver

The IESO will manage any new incentive applications submitted after April 1. For more information, please contact the IESO at saveonenergy@ieso.ca or visit Save on Energy.

The AffordAbility Fund continues to accept applications and deliver measures to those eligible for the program. You can apply to the AffordAbility Fund and your application will be managed as per the usual processes.

For more information please visit the AffordAbility Fund website or call 1-855-494-3863 Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. EST

For information about Save on Energy programs, please contact the IESO at saveonenergy@ieso.ca or visit Save on Energy.

Save on Energy programs available through Toronto Hydro will be cancelled as of April 1, 2019. However, the following programs are still available through the IESO:

  • Retrofit
  • Small Business Lighting
  • Energy Manager Program
  • Process and System Upgrades (to be combined with the Industrial Accelerator Program)
  • Energy Performance Program
  • Home Assistance Program (HAP).

To submit a new application, please contact the IESO at saveonenergy@ieso.ca or visit Save on Energy.