Clear answer, explained.
The saveONenergy Retrofit Incentive Program is Ontario's primary utility incentive for commercial and industrial energy efficiency upgrades. To qualify, the facility must complete an approved energy study — one that meets the ASHRAE Level 2 standard in terms of scope, data collection, and documentation. A walk-through assessment or a basic energy review does not satisfy this requirement.
The approved energy study identifies qualifying energy conservation measures and their estimated savings. These measures — LED lighting retrofits, HVAC upgrades, variable frequency drives, building controls improvements — are the eligible scope for incentive payments. The incentive is paid as a per-unit or per-kWh-saved amount for each qualifying measure implemented.
An audit that does not meet the ASHRAE Level 2 standard will not qualify for saveONenergy Retrofit Incentive funding, regardless of the savings it identifies. This is one of the most common reasons Ontario facilities leave incentive money unclaimed — the audit was done, the measures were implemented, but the audit documentation did not meet the program's methodology requirement.
What this means in practice.
- saveONenergy Retrofit Incentive Program requires an approved energy study meeting ASHRAE Level 2 methodology
- A walk-through assessment or basic energy review does not satisfy the saveONenergy documentation requirement
- Qualifying ECMs include LED lighting, HVAC upgrades, VFDs, and building controls improvements
- Incentives are paid per unit or per kWh saved for each qualifying measure implemented
- Non-compliant audit documentation is the most common reason Ontario facilities miss saveONenergy incentives
- NRCan IEM funding for the audit itself can be combined with saveONenergy ECM incentives in Ontario
Best-fit environments.
- You are planning LED, HVAC, or controls upgrades and want to confirm what audit documentation saveONenergy requires
- You have completed an energy assessment but are not sure if it meets the saveONenergy methodology standard
- You are sequencing an efficiency and solar project and need to confirm the audit qualifies before proceeding
- You are a facility manager applying for saveONenergy funding and need the correct audit documentation
