Save on Energy Small Business Program
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Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
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
Quick Assessment
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
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
- 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
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
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
Success Profile
Evaluation Criteria
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 4
Eligible Expenses 3
Ineligible Expenses 2
Intake Periods
Deadline Notes
Applying for Save on Energy Small Business Program? Our Grant Proposal Template ($19) mirrors the section structure Canadian reviewers actually score on. Or get all 4 templates in the Founder Pack ($59 · saves $27) →
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Stacking partner data not yet available.
Clawback Risk
Not-applicable RiskHow Save on Energy Small Business Program Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about Save on Energy Small Business Program