News and updates archive

Save on Energy Website – Change to iCon log-in URL

September 13, 2018

The URL for the Retrofit application iCon log-in will be moved to retrofitportal.ca on September 27, 2018. Please bookmark this link, but note that it will also be accessible from the Retrofit program web page.

Retrofit Program Eligibility Update – Linear TLED UL Type B Clarification

August 23, 2018

To align with the launch of the updated Small Business Lighting Program on August 6, 2018 (which includes Linear LED Type B (UL1598c) as an eligible measure), similar TLED products are also eligible for the Retrofit Program effective August 6, 2018, on the custom track only. A prescriptive measure for LED Type B (UL1598c) is expected to be developed at a later date.

Note: It is important that LDCs only process applications for LED Type B, where satisfactory documentation confirms the TLED product is “double-ended” and listed under UL code UL1598c.

New Horticulture Worksheet for High Performance New Construction (HPNC) and Retrofit

August 22, 2018

The IESO has approved a business case submitted by the HPNC Task Committee for new worksheets to support horticulture lighting applications under the HPNC and Retrofit programs. The worksheets will become effective on September 10, 2018.

Key updates to the worksheets include:

• Increased incentive to $0.10/kWh capped at 50% of project costs to align with the custom HPNC and Retrofit programs
• Variance between base case and EE case will depend on the type of lighting being installed (i.e., top lighting only, top lighting and interlighting, or interlighting only will have variances set to 10%, 10% and 40% respectively)
• New custom measures (cannabis warehouse archetype, cannabis greenhouse archetype and vegetable archetype).

Prescriptive Lighting Measure Updates – Retrofit

August 22, 2018

The IESO has approved changes to some prescriptive lighting measures under the Retrofit Program proposed by the Prescriptive Measures Committee. The following changes and associated updates to iCON will take effect on September 10, 2018.

Changes include:

• A reduction to the LED Tube Replacement incentive amount from $5 to $4 for the ≤15W ≥ 1500 Lumens lamps and from $7 to $4 for the ≤22W ≥ 2100 Lumens lamps
• A reduction to the minimum lumen requirement for the LED Tube Replacement from 2200 lumens to 2100 lumens
• The inclusion of Design Lighting Consortium (DLC) listed “LED Linear Ambient” fixtures, now merged with the previously existing “LED Troffers” measure
• A shift from a high-low wattage range to a maximum wattage, minimum lumen output for the LED High Bay fixtures measure
• Clarification on eligibility language for occupancy sensor measures, and the creation of two new occupancy sensor measures:
  • Integrated/fixture mounted sensors that control one fixture 100W and above
  • Integrated/fixture mounted sensors that control one fixture 99W and below.

As with previous changes to prescriptive measures in iCON, the expired measures will remain on the system and be labeled “Lighting Expired September 10, 2018.”

Update to Prescriptive Measures and Assumptions List Available

May 14, 2018

The IESO’s Prescriptive Measures and Assumptions List (MAL) has been updated to reflect the verified results from the 2016 Evaluation, Measurement & Verification (EM&V) process and approved business cases for pilots, local and province-wide programs. The latest version of the MAL is available here.

Key updates to the MAL include the following:

• removal of measures no longer being offered in current Save on Energy programs;
• addition and consolidation of new and existing measures included in approved pilot and local programs;
• updated baseline and energy-efficient measure assumptions to align with approved business case changes; and
• removal of net-to-gross ratio assumptions.

The measure-level assumptions will be reviewed on a regular basis as new information becomes available.

Process & Systems Upgrades Program: New rules effective May 7

May 7, 2018

The Process & Systems Upgrades Program has been updated as of May 7, 2018. This program is intended for large-scale energy-efficiency upgrade projects with at least 300 MWh in annual electricity savings. Industrial, commercial, institutional and municipal buildings may qualify.

Your customer may have an opportunity to access this program and move their business forward. If they qualify, they can:

• Lower their capital costs and payback periods to implement their upgrade projects, receiving incentives of up to 70% of total capital project costs, or $200 per MWh of annual electricity savings
• Receive up to $50,000 in Engineering Feasibility Study incentives; they will get 50% upon study completion, and the balance paid if their project gets implemented
• Work with their local hydro company to kick off their application

See here for the new description and rules of this program. As a value-add, you can assist your customers with the material needed to apply.

Unitary AC updates: Effective May 14

April 30, 2018

Updated versions of the Retrofit and High Performance New Construction (HPNC) Unitary AC Worksheets have been approved and will take effect May 14, 2018.

The Retrofit Unitary AC Worksheet has been updated to align the worksheet baselines with the minimum standards in the Ontario Building Code (ASHRAE 90.1-2013).

The HPNC Unitary AC Worksheet has had the following updates:

A "small duct, high velocity, air cooled" Unitary AC category has been added to the drop down menu for equipment type field; and
the "air cooled air conditioners below 65,000 BTU/h" category has revised efficiencies for Split System (SEER 13) and Single Packaged (SEER 14).

The updated worksheets can be found on the Save on Energy website's Retrofit and HPNC pages.