What the ÉcoPerformance RCx Program Funds in Québec: Eligible Costs and Coverage
The ÉcoPerformance program’s recommissioning component (ÉcoPerformance RCx) provides financial assistance in Québec to optimize the operation of existing building mechanical systems. This guide explains exactly what the program funds, the funding rates and caps, which expenses qualify, and how reimbursement works across the RCx phases.
What is recommissioning (RCx)?
RCx is a structured process that tunes and optimizes existing building systems—HVAC and lighting—so they operate efficiently and reliably. In Québec, RCx typically follows five phases: planning, investigation, implementation, transfer, and continuous monitoring to sustain verified energy savings.
As of 2025-12-02, the RCx component is Québec-only. Funding is administered by the Bureau de la transition climatique et énergétique under the Government of Québec.
Program Funding Overview
Purpose: Financial assistance to reduce energy use and optimize existing mechanical systems (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and lighting) in buildings located in Québec.
Model: Provincial contribution (grant/subsidy) that reimburses a portion of eligible professional and measurement costs tied to defined RCx phases.
Phases: The program recognizes five RCx phases. Only the investigation phase and the combined transfer and continuous monitoring phases are eligible for funding. Planning and implementation are not eligible under this component.
Performance expectations: Funded RCx measures implemented at the site must target at least 5% energy reduction relative to the site’s pre-project consumption, and the building must meet program recency and additionality rules.
Funding Amounts & Rates
Reimbursable phases:
Investigation: Eligible for reimbursement.
Transfer and Continuous Monitoring: Eligible for reimbursement as a combined block.
Ineligible phases:
Planning: Not eligible.
Implementation: Not eligible (no reimbursement for measure installation itself).
Contribution calculation
The contribution corresponds to the lesser of:
75% of eligible costs for the reimbursable phase(s), and
$100,000 (per building cap).
Disbursement occurs in two payments:
First payment: Up to 75% of eligible investigation expenses after validation of the investigation deliverables.
Second payment: The remaining approved contribution (up to the per-building maximum) after validation of transfer deliverables and all required documents.
Per-building maximum: The total financial assistance for a project cannot exceed the program’s maximum granted per building.
Project timeline
Projects must be completed within 24 months of the agreement’s effective date. Up to six additional months may be granted in exceptional circumstances.
Eligible Expenses
Expenses eligible for ÉcoPerformance RCx funding focus on professional services and measurement to execute analysis, transfer, and sustained performance tracking.
Eligible cost categories
External consultant fees:
RCx agent and consulting firms performing investigation, transfer, and continuous monitoring deliverables tied to the approved scope.
Internal specialist costs:
Salaries, benefits, and related travel for internal specialists working on eligible RCx tasks, subject to program-specific caps defined in the financial agreement.
Measurement equipment:
Rental of metering and data logging equipment required for analysis and verification.
Purchase of measuring equipment required to carry out the analysis; the participant becomes the owner.
Documentation and reporting:
Preparation of the required RCx analysis reports (investigation, transfer, and annual continuous monitoring reports) and cost-tracking forms.
Purchase orders within the allowed window:
Purchase orders issued up to 30 calendar days before the date the complete application is received are accepted.
Notes on eligibility
Use the internal expense declaration template and follow salary/fee ceiling guidelines specified in the program’s agreement and guidance documents.
Create a dedicated accounting project code to track internal hours and expenses for audit-readiness.
Ineligible Expenses
The RCx component does not fund capital purchases or the physical implementation of measures. Common ineligible items include:
Planning phase activities (general planning work not reimbursable under RCx funding).
Implementation phase costs:
Labour and materials to install or modify equipment.
New HVAC equipment, rooftop units, chillers, boilers, pumps, fans, or lighting fixtures.
Major building automation system (BAS) hardware upgrades or server replacements.
Routine operations and maintenance not directly tied to eligible RCx deliverables.
Non-energy-related building works and tenant improvements.
Tools and software not required for RCx analysis or monitoring.
Costs incurred outside the program’s eligibility window, beyond approved extensions.
Expenses not supported by invoices, purchase orders, or the internal declaration template, or exceeding program salary/fee ceilings.
Expense Documentation Requirements
Prepare a complete, verifiable cost file to support claims. Typical documentation includes:
Signed purchase order authorizing the RCx mandate (for investigation).
Invoices for all eligible consultant fees, rentals, and measurement device purchases.
Internal costs:
Internal expense declaration using the program’s template.
Timesheets aligning with the project code, roles, hours, and tasks.
Payroll records substantiating wages and benefits.
Travel records when applicable.
RCx reports and forms:
Investigation analysis report signed and dated by an accredited RCx agent.
Transfer analysis report signed and dated by an accredited RCx agent.
Two annual continuous monitoring analysis reports (signed and dated).
Updated cost-tracking Excel tabs (e.g., Tabs 2 and 3.1 where applicable).
Other required confirmations:
Letter committing to continuous monitoring and indicating expected cost.
Disclosures of other public funding received or anticipated.
Date-of-eligibility rule
The program sets an “eligibility date” equal to the complete application receipt date minus 30 calendar days. Purchase orders dated within that 30-day pre-application window are acceptable.
Examples of Funded Projects
RCx focuses on low-cost operational and control measures that improve performance without major capital replacement. Examples of eligible activities and measures (costs funded are those tied to investigation, transfer, and monitoring):
Investigation and diagnostics
Data logging supply/return temperatures, airflows, and power to quantify baseline performance.
Functional tests on air handling units (AHUs), economizers, VAVs, boilers, chillers, and heat recovery loops.
Sensor calibration checks to ensure reliable control inputs.
Control optimization measures (implementation itself is not reimbursed; however, analysis/transfer/monitoring related to these measures is eligible)
Reprogramming BAS sequences for:
Demand-controlled ventilation (CO2-based airflow modulation).
Economizer optimization for free cooling.
Night and weekend setbacks for space temperatures.
Supply air temperature, chilled water, and hot water reset schedules.
Equipment sequencing and staging to match loads.
Lighting scheduling and occupancy-based controls to reduce after-hours use.
Fan/pump variable frequency drive (VFD) tuning and minimum flow optimization.
Ventilation scheduling aligned to actual occupancy and process needs.
Transfer and capacity building
On-site training of building operations staff on updated sequences, trend reviews, alarm management, and seasonal tuning practices.
Documentation updates: as-operating sequences, points lists, and setpoint libraries.
Continuous monitoring and verification
Establishing trend logging strategies, dashboards, and performance KPIs.
Periodic review and corrective actions by the accredited RCx agent to sustain savings for a minimum of two years.
Preparation of the required annual continuous monitoring analysis reports.
Funding Disbursement & Claiming Process
The RCx contribution is paid in two instalments, aligned to program milestones:
1) First payment — Investigation
Submit the signed investigation analysis report by the accredited RCx agent, the signed purchase order authorizing the RCx mandate, updated cost-tracking tab(s), and invoices.
After validation, the program issues the first reimbursement equal to 75% of eligible investigation costs (subject to caps).
2) Second payment — Transfer and commitment to continuous monitoring
Provide the transfer analysis report signed by the accredited RCx agent, updated cost-tracking tab(s), invoices, a letter committing to the continuous monitoring phase and its expected cost, and disclosures of any other funding.
After validation, the program confirms the second and final payment up to the remaining eligible amount within the per-building maximum.
3) Continuous monitoring deliverables
Although the second payment is made after transfer validation, you must complete continuous monitoring for at least two years and submit two annual monitoring analysis reports:
First monitoring report within 14 months of the transfer report receipt.
Second monitoring report within 26 months of the transfer report receipt.
Stacking Rules with Other Programs
Other public funding may be combined (“stacked”) with ÉcoPerformance RCx, but must be declared. Applicants provide agreements or confirmations of assistance received or expected from other sources.
The total assistance is subject to program rules, the per-building maximum, and any public funding limits defined in the normative framework. If stacking applies, the ÉcoPerformance contribution may be adjusted to remain within caps.
Utility incentives or municipal programs may support implementation costs not covered by RCx. Coordinate timelines and scopes carefully and keep documentation distinct for each funding source.
Real-World Budgeting Tips
Separate phases and costs:
Build a clear budget by RCx phase. Tag investigation costs (consultants, internal specialists, measurement equipment), then distinguish transfer and continuous monitoring costs.
Use allowable internal costs:
Allocate internal specialists’ time with the official internal expense declaration template. Confirm applicable salary/fee ceilings early.
Plan measurement equipment strategy:
Leverage rentals for short-term diagnostics and purchase only where needed for analysis. Ensure invoices clearly state the RCx project and measurement purpose.
Respect the 30-day rule:
If purchase orders precede the application, ensure they fall within 30 calendar days before the complete application receipt date.
Target at least 5% site savings:
Prioritize measures with verifiable savings. Sequence optimization, resets, ventilation scheduling, and economizer tuning often deliver strong impacts.
Keep implementation financed elsewhere:
Since implementation is not reimbursed, explore complementary funding or plan internal capex/O&M budgets for measure installation.
Reserve resources for monitoring:
Budget staff time and RCx agent support for two years of continuous monitoring to maintain savings and meet reporting obligations.
Conclusion
ÉcoPerformance RCx funding in Québec covers the professional analysis, transfer, and continuous monitoring required to optimize existing building mechanical systems, with reimbursement up to 75% of eligible costs and a per-building cap. Planning and implementation are not funded under this component, so align budgets accordingly. By focusing on measurable control optimizations and maintaining two years of continuous monitoring, organizations can reduce energy use cost-effectively while meeting program requirements.
