saveONenergy's RETROFIT PROGRAM Launches Updates to Help Businesses Further Reduce Energy Costs

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Sep 25, 2014, 12:09 ET

TORONTO, Sept. 25, 2014 /CNW/ - (Revised): The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) today announced updates to the saveONenergy RETROFIT PROGRAM that provide additional financial incentives for Ontario businesses to reduce energy used by lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, refrigeration systems and building plug loads.

Retrofitting outdated equipment provides cost savings and improves the efficiency of operational procedures and processes. Eligible companies can receive financial incentives worth up to 50 percent of project costs towards modernizing current systems with high-efficiency equipment.

The saveONenergy FOR BUSINESS programs were developed collaboratively by Ontario's local electric utility companies and the OPA to provide businesses with substantial financial incentives to encourage the replacement of existing equipment with energy-efficient equipment and new control systems.

The OPA invites Ontario businesses to join a webinar that will be held on October 2, 2014, at 8 a.m. to review the program changes as well as address questions businesses may have. Join the webinar at www.saveONenergy.ca/program-update.

Key update and new incentives released under the RETROFIT PROGRAM include:

New Prescriptive Lighting Measures

Receive incentives worth up to:
- $638 per LED exterior area light qualifying for DLC Category 1 & 2
- $59 per LED troffers light.
- $12 per LED A shaped lamp.
- $20 per wet location rated LED PAR.
Lights must be ENERGY STAR® qualified and fixtures must be certified by the DesignLights Consortium (DLC).

New Prescriptive Incentives for Variable Frequency Drive and Variable Displacement Air Compressors

Replace old fixed capacity air compressors with new variable frequency drive or variable displacement air compressors and receive up to $7,500 per compressor and $100 for each zero loss drain installed.

New Engineered Worksheets for Compressed Air Systems

Incentives are provided at $800 per kilowatt or $0.10 per kilowatt hour of energy savings from reducing system pressure, fixing leaks, installing refrigerated air dryers and zero loss drains.

New Prescriptive Incentives for Commercial HVAC System Upgrades

Install hotel suite occupancy controls for HVAC and lighting systems and receive up to $67 per controller.
Upgrade to ECM motors on HVAC fans and receive up to $0.10 per CFM of rated fan capacity.

New Prescriptive Incentives for Reducing Commercial Building Plug Loads

Receive incentives for ENERGY STAR® certified ice machines of up to $188 machine.
Install motion sensor activated vending machine controls and receive up to $193 per vending machine control.

New Prescriptive Incentives for Commercial Refrigeration Systems

Upgrade to ENERGY STAR® certified freezers and receive up to $672 per freezer
Upgrade to ENERGY STAR® certified refrigerators and receive up to $121 per refrigerator
Upgrade motors in refrigerator and freezer evaporator fans to ECM motors and receive up to $1,130 per motor.
Upgrade to high efficiency refrigeration compressors and receive up $82 per compressor.

Increased Agribusiness Incentives

Incentives have been increased for most agricultural focused incentives.
Examples of the program updates include increased incentives of up to $2,000 to install high volume low speed fans and up to $187 per high efficiency exhaust fan installed.

For additional information including terms and conditions on the saveONenergy RETROFIT PROGRAM or specific incentives, visit www.saveonenergy.ca/business or contact your local electric utility.

Quotes

"Ontario's Five-Point Small Business Savings Plan is designed to help small businesses save money and energy through enhanced conservation programs and is part of Ontario's commitment to put Conservation First." -- Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli

"These financial incentives strengthen the business case for companies to upgrade or replace equipment with more energy efficient options. We expanded the program to help move energy efficiency projects higher on the list of priorities for Ontario businesses." -- Andrew Pride, OPA Vice President of Conservation

About the Ontario Power Authority

The Ontario Power Authority is responsible for ensuring a reliable, sustainable supply of electricity for Ontario. Its key areas of focus are planning the power system for the long term, leading and coordinating conservation initiatives across the province, and ensuring development of needed generation resources.

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SOURCE: Ontario Power Authority