High-Performance New Construction program

Build energy efficiency in from day one.

Save on Energy can help you reduce the cost of energy-efficient equipment at the core of your projects right from the start.

Developers, architects, engineers, property owners and tenants are all increasingly seeing the benefits of high-performance, energy-efficient buildings. When you make energy-efficient construction decisions, you can expect that your building will cost less to operate, produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions and be a more comfortable place to live, work or play.

We can save billions of dollars in energy costs over the long term by designing and constructing highly energy-efficient spaces.

The High-Performance New Construction program offers design assistance and incentives for building owners and planners who want energy-efficient equipment at the core of their projects.

How it works

There are two tracks for program applications: Engineered and Custom.

Engineered track applications are for more complex equipment upgrades and provide the potential for higher incentives. Custom track applications, on the other hand, provide flexibility for more comprehensive projects with opportunities for increased energy savings.

 

Engineered track

The Engineered track consists of a series of pre-set calculation worksheets that help you estimate reductions in peak demand and/or electricity consumption that apply to the installation of energy-efficient equipment or solutions.

The following technologies are eligible under the Engineered track:

  1. Commercial interior lighting
  2. Commercial exterior lighting
  3. Unitary air conditioner (i.e., rooftop units and split systems)

Lighting incentive The greater of either $400/kW of demand savings or $0.05/kWh of first-year electricity savings
Unitary air conditioner incentive The greater of either $800/kW of demand savings or $0.10/kWh of first-year electricity savings
Custom track

The Custom track application works best for unique or innovative energy efficiency measures that aren’t included in the Engineered track. The building owner can drive the application, or a design decision-maker such as an architect, engineer or consultant can lead the application.

How are incentives calculated?

Custom track incentive amounts are calculated based on the incremental energy performance of the participant’s new building, compared to a base case building that only complies with the Ontario Building Code (OBC) and Supplementary Standard SB-101. The energy usage comparison must be made using approved building modelling software.

There are three incentive tiers within the Custom track.

Project incentives

Project incentive amounts are based on the lesser of 30 per cent of the eligible costs, and the applicable tier and corresponding demand reduction or energy savings incentive (whichever is greater), as outlined in the table below:

 

Tier For building permit applications prior to January 1, 2017 For building permit applications on or after January 1, 2017 Custom incentive
Tier 1 Above base case savings are ≤25% Above base case savings are ≤10% $400/kW of verified demand savings or $0.05/kWh of verified energy savings
Tier 2 Above base case savings are >25% and ≤50% Above base case savings are >10% and ≤25% $600/kW of verified demand savings or $0.075/kWh of verified energy savings
Tier 3 Above base case savings are >50% Above base case savings are >25% $800/kW of verified demand savings or $0.1/kWh of verified energy savings

 

Modelling incentives

Modelling costs are eligible for an incentive amount of up to $10,000. The participant, a design decision-maker or a third party can complete the modelling.

 

Design decision-maker incentives

A design decision-maker can be eligible for an incentive based on the applicable tier and the corresponding demand reduction or energy savings incentive (whichever is greater), as outlined in the table below:


Tier For building permit applications prior to January 1, 2017 For building permit applications on or after January 1, 2017 Incentive
Tier 1 Above base case savings are ≤25% Above base case savings are ≤10% $50/kW of verified demand savings or $0.00625/kWh of verified energy savings
Tier 2 Above base case savings are >25% and ≤50% Above base case savings are >10% and ≤25% $100/kW of verified demand savings or $0.0125/kWh of verified energy savings
Tier 3 Above base case savings are >50% Above base case savings are >25% $150/kW of verified demand savings or $0.01875/kWh of verified energy savings

Find your local program provider

Enter your postal code below to find out who to contact to apply for the High-Performance New Construction program.

Note that some postal code areas are served by more than one hydro company.


Key Documents