Incentives
Improving Energy Efficiency is Getting Easier
Geoexchange systems are recognized by provincial and municipal governments as an efficient method of heating and cooling buildings. To promote the adoption of this clean technology, governments has implemented a whole host of incentives for retrofitting or building new commercial buildings with geoexchange.
PROVINCIAL INCENTIVES
Each provincial government provides different levels of funding for commercial geoexchange projects – some provide significant funding opportunities, and some provide none at all. A sampling is provided below. For more detailed information, please see the Canadian Geoexchange Coalition.
Manitoba Hydro provides Feasibility Study Assistance and/or a System Installation Incentive for commercial buildings. Manitoba Hydro will contribute up to a maximum grant of $10,000 per feasibility study and up to $1.25 per sq. ft. heated by a geothermal heat pump system. Learn more here.
The Ontario government is the most proactive of the Canadian provincial governments in its efforts to have geoexchange incorporated into commercial projects. Through various programs it offers generous incentives to promote the installation of geoexchange.
The Wind, Micro-hydro Electric and Geothermal Energy Systems Rebate is part of the Ontario government’s Common Retail Sales Tax Rebates and Exemptions for Energy Efficient Goods program. This program returns the retail sales tax paid on geoexchange systems to homeowners and builders who install these systems into residential buildings, including houses and multi-residential buildings. Learn more here, or by contacting the Ontario Ministry of Revenue, Refund Unit, Retail Sales Tax at 1-800-615-2757.
The Ontario Power Authority’s High Performance New Construction Program provides incentives for new industrial, commercial, institutional, and multi-family residential projects across Ontario – with the exception of the (416) area code - with the goal of reducing peak electric demand in new buildings. This program is replaced by BOMA’s CDM program for the City of Toronto. The builder has the option to choose either a prescriptive or a custom path, which also determines the eligible incentive. Additional information can be found on this program under "municipal incentives" below. Learn more here.
The Energy Retrofit Incentive Program (ERIP) offers grants for energy efficient retrofits to commercial buildings. ERIP has two program options: the ‘Prescriptive Track’ which offers predefined technologies with corresponding per unit or performance-basis savings measures and incentives; and the ‘Custom Track’ which offers incentives based specifically on the level of efficiency improvement. Your local electricity distribution company must be participating in the program in order to be eligible. Learn more here or contact your local distribution company.
Both Enbridge and Union Gas offer a Design Assistance Program to help builders of new commercial buildings, or those undertaking major renovations, to design optimally energy efficient projects. The program is designed to reduce natural gas consumption in new buildings and those getting a major overhaul. Learn more here.
Additional incentives may be offered through municipalities and local distribution companies. Please contact them for information about any additional incentives. In addition, please consult Ontario’s Energy Efficiency Resource and Funding Guide to learn more about the programs, resources and financial incentives available in Ontario.
MUNICIPAL INCENTIVES
Municipalities across Canada are setting stringent energy efficiency targets. Grants and incentives exist at the Municipal level across Canada - check with your municipality for grants and incentives that apply to you.
A few of our favourites to get you started:
The Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) was created by the City of Toronto’s Energy Efficiency Office to provide resources including financial assistance for both energy efficient retrofits and new construction. BBP is currently partnered with the Ontario Power Authority to deliver attractive energy savings incentives for buildings within the 416 area code. Information on both the new construction and retrofit incentives, as well as the necessary application forms, are found here.
Toronto’s Sustainable Energy Funds offer zero interest loans to municipal, academic, social service, health care and not-for-profit organizations located in Toronto for the installation of renewable energy systems that can verify greenhouse gas reductions. Zero-interest loans range from $50,000 to $1million per project for up to 49% of the total project cost. Learn more here or contact the City of Toronto’s Energy Efficiency Office at 416-392-1456.
The BOMA Conservation and Demand Management Program (CDM) offers incentives to commercial building owners and tenants in the office, retail, restaurant, hotel and private institution sub-sectors for electricity conservation projects. Buildings must exceed 25,000 ft2 and be located within the City of Toronto (416 area code). BOMA CDM offers up to $5,500 for an upfront energy conservation opportunity assessment, followed by $250 per cooling tonne saved, up to 40% of total eligible project costs for geothermal installations. Learn more here or by contacting BOMA at 416-440-0101.
In addition to the above funding provided by municipal governments, those same governments can also be the recipient of funding for “green” projects through The Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund™, which supports municipal initiatives across Canada that benefit the environment, local economies and quality of life. The Government of Canada endowed the Federation of Canadian Municipalities with $550 million to establish the Green Municipal Fund.
For more information on commercial incentives where you live, please contact CleanEnergy™.