Grant
Provincial
Active
Save on Energy Small Business Program
IESO / Save on Energy
Maximum Funding
Up to $5,500
Ongoing
Difficulty
Moderate
Payment
In Kind
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
—
Co-Funding
Varies
Save on Energy Small Business Program provides Up to $5,500 in direct-install incentives (up to $3,000 for eligible lighting; up to $2,500 for eligible non-lighting such as refrigeration and smart thermostats), at no cost to the business for eligible upgrades within caps. Ontario small businesses with 50 or fewer employees can receive up to $5,500 in direct-install incentives for eligible lighting and non-lighting upgrades at no cost to the business. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
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Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
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Program Description
Ontario small businesses with 50 or fewer employees can receive up to $5,500 in direct-install incentives for eligible lighting and non-lighting upgrades at no cost to the business.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be an Ontario business with an operating capacity of 50 or fewer employees
- Must own or lease the business space; tenants need landlord/building owner consent
- Available to commercial and small-industrial sites
- Upgrades beyond the lighting/non-lighting caps may qualify for additional incentives, but the applicant pays the cost of those extras
Provinces
Industries
Business Stage
Quick Assessment
Difficulty
Moderate
Competition
Moderate
First-Timer
Not rated
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $5,500 in direct-install incentives (up to $3,000 for eligible lighting; up to $2,500 for eligible non-lighting such as refrigeration and smart thermostats), at no cost to the business for eligible upgrades within caps
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Provincial
- Deadline
- Ongoing
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Competition
Moderate
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Varies
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
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Insider TipTenant businesses should obtain landlord consent before the assessment so lighting and thermostat upgrades are not delayed.
Rejection Pitfalls 4
- More than 50 employees on site
+3 more pitfalls
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Success Profile
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Evaluation Criteria
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All 4 pitfalls, the checklist and the reviewer notes are in the Playbook below. See what it includes ↓
What's in this Playbook
Everything you need to win Save on Energy Small Business Program
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 4 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 4-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- Your Application Game Plan — the print-ready PDF the preview below describes
- 3-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
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3 steps
4 docs
Application Steps
1
Apply and schedule an assessment Apply online, by phone, or by email to schedule a free on-site assessment; the program identifies energy-efficiency opportunities for your business.
Required Documents 4
✓ Proof of Ontario business operation
✓ Proof of 50 or fewer employees
Eligible Expenses 3
Ineligible Expenses 2
Intake Periods
Deadline Notes
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
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Stacking partner data not yet available.
Combined Funding Potential
See your total funding potential
Clawback Risk
Not-applicable Risk
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How Save on Energy Small Business Program Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
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| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Save on Energy Small Business Program | Up to $5,500 | Moderate | In Kind | Ongoing |
| Ontario Job Grant (formerly Canada-On... | Up to $10,000 per employee | Easy | Varies | Ongoing — year-round... |
| Ontario Innovation Tax Credit | Up to 8% tax credit | Moderate | Tax Credit Offset | Ongoing |
| Commercial Façade Improvement Grant P... | Up to $12,500 (50% of costs) | Easy | Reimbursement | Annual Intake |
| Creative Industries Funding | Varies | Moderate | Reimbursement | Ongoing (multiple... |
Related Programs
Other programs you might be eligible for
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about Save on Energy Small Business Program
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Is there a cost to participate?
No. There is no cost to receive an assessment, or to have eligible lighting upgrades up to $3,000 and non-lighting upgrades up to $2,500 installed.
Can I use my own contractor?
No. Only qualified Save on Energy contractors are permitted to install eligible equipment under the program.
Can I combine or reallocate the lighting and non-lighting amounts?
No. The $3,000 available for lighting upgrades and the $2,500 available for non-lighting upgrades can only be used for equipment in their own category.
Who decides which upgrades I get?
A qualified Save on Energy representative conducts a free assessment and identifies eligible upgrades for your business; you can then agree to or reject any of them before they're installed.
I already participated in a past Save on Energy program. Can I still apply?
Possibly. Past participants who had lights installed on or after April 1, 2019 may qualify to top up their lighting upgrades to the $3,000 total; those installed before that date may qualify for up to $3,000 of new lighting at no cost by reapplying.
Who is eligible?
Ontario businesses with 50 or fewer employees that own or lease their business space; tenants need landlord or building owner consent.
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Full Playbook: Save on Energy Small Business Program
3 steps · 4 docs · reviewer insights