Who Can Apply to the ÉcoPerformance RCx Program in Québec
The ÉcoPerformance program — Recommissioning (RCx) of building mechanical systems — provides financial assistance in Québec to optimize HVAC and lighting performance in existing buildings. It targets energy efficiency, operating cost reduction, and GHG reductions by funding critical RCx phases and deliverables.
This eligibility guide explains who can apply to the ÉcoPerformance RCx component, which buildings qualify, and what project conditions must be met. It also clarifies the Québec-only scope, the accredited RCx agent requirement, sector eligibility, timelines, and frequent edge cases. All details reflect the official program guidelines as of December 2, 2025.
Program Overview
The ÉcoPerformance RCx component supports recommissioning projects that optimize the operation of mechanical systems in existing buildings, including heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and lighting. The program is administered provincially by the Bureau de la transition climatique et énergétique under the Government of Québec.
Key features to keep in mind:
Québec-only program; buildings must be located in Québec.
RCx projects follow five phases: planning, investigation, implementation, transfer, and continuous monitoring.
Funding covers specific phases and deliverables (notably investigation and transfer/continuous monitoring).
An accredited RCx agent is central to eligibility and documentation.
All energy forms are eligible.
This article focuses on who is eligible to apply and under what conditions.
Applicant Type Requirements
Eligible applicants are broad and inclusive across Québec’s economy. Organizations may apply as:
Businesses (including corporations and SMEs)
Groupings or consortiums of businesses
Institutions (such as healthcare, education, and other public institutions)
Municipalities and municipal organizations
Other organizations active in eligible sectors
Eligible sectors include:
Industrial
Commercial
Agricultural
Agri-food
Manufacturing (primary and secondary)
Institutional
Municipal
Additional notes:
Non-profits that operate buildings within these sectors are generally considered “organizations” and may be eligible if the building and project meet all program criteria.
Grouped applications (e.g., multi-entity or multi-building sites) are possible where a single lead coordinates the RCx project and documentation.
Size & Scale Criteria
The program does not impose explicit minimum or maximum revenue thresholds. However, practical size considerations apply:
The building must have sufficient energy consumption and mechanical complexity for RCx to deliver measurable savings.
The measures chosen and implemented must represent at least 5% of the site’s pre-project energy consumption. This functional threshold effectively screens very small or low-consumption sites.
Organizations must have the capacity to engage an accredited RCx agent, implement measures, train staff, and maintain continuous monitoring for two years.
There is no stated cap on the number of employees or facilities, but multi-site organizations should plan documentation and reporting by building.
Geographic Eligibility
Québec-only: The building must be located in Québec.
The program is provincial government funding; it is not available for buildings outside Québec.
Multi-province organizations may apply for their Québec buildings if each site meets the program criteria.
If your organization operates across Canada, ensure that the RCx application and documentation clearly identify the Québec building(s) targeted by the project.
Project & Activity Requirements
To qualify, projects must be structured as bona fide RCx initiatives that follow the recognized sequence:
Planning: Describe mechanical systems on site and propose the RCx approach.
Investigation: Conduct a full investigation and generate an investigation report.
Implementation: Implement the recommended RCx measures.
Transfer: Train the technical staff and update building documentation to sustain savings.
Continuous monitoring: Verify proper functioning for at least two years after implementation and correct deviations.
Additional admissibility conditions:
Energy impact threshold: Chosen and implemented measures must represent at least 5% of the site’s energy consumption before the project begins.
Prior RCx funding lookback: The eligible building must not have had an application to this RCx component in the previous five years.
New building rule: A new building becomes eligible for RCx three years after commissioning.
Additionality principle: If the building previously received funding under the standard implementation stream and the engagement period is still in effect, the RCx project can be eligible only if expected savings are additional (i.e., not double-counted or already funded).
Timeline requirement:
Complete the project within 24 months from the effective date of the financial assistance agreement; up to six additional months may be granted for exceptional circumstances.
Energy scope:
All forms of energy are eligible (e.g., electricity, natural gas, other fuels), provided the project meets RCx requirements.
Financial & Operational Criteria
The program funds specific RCx phases and deliverables:
Funding applies to the investigation phase and to the combined transfer and continuous monitoring phases.
Planning and implementation phases are not funded, although they remain mandatory RCx activities.
Organizational readiness considerations:
You must engage an accredited RCx agent to sign required deliverables.
You must maintain proper records (invoices, internal labour logs, purchase orders).
You should be prepared to train in-house staff and update O&M documentation.
You must be able to sustain continuous monitoring for two years post-implementation and submit annual monitoring reports.
Ineligible Applicants
While the program lists eligible sectors broadly, applicants will be ineligible if:
The building is not located in Québec.
The same building has an RCx application within the last five years.
The building is newly commissioned and has not met the three-year eligibility window.
The project cannot demonstrate the minimum 5% pre-project energy consumption threshold for measures to be implemented.
The organization cannot engage an accredited RCx agent to prepare and sign required analysis documents.
The proposed project does not follow RCx methodology and phases, or primarily seeks capital replacement outside RCx scope.
Note on excluded costs:
Although organizations may be eligible, activities limited to planning or implementation phases alone are not funded under RCx (funding focuses on investigation and transfer/continuous monitoring).
Special Cases & Exceptions
Grouped or consortium applications: A lead entity can coordinate a multi-building or multi-organization RCx initiative, provided each building meets eligibility rules.
Public institutions and municipalities: Hospitals, schools, universities, and municipal buildings (e.g., arenas, libraries) are eligible within the institutional/municipal sectors.
Energy form neutrality: The program is energy-form agnostic; projects can target electricity, gas, or other energy forms, focusing on operational optimization and verified savings.
Previously funded buildings under other ÉcoPerformance components: Allowed when additionality is clearly demonstrated and the prior engagement terms are respected.
Extensions: A project timeline extension of up to six months may be granted in exceptional cases.
Applicants should confirm edge cases with the program administrator during the eligibility analysis stage.
Self-Assessment Checklist
Use this quick checklist to assess eligibility before engaging an accredited RCx agent:
Organization type
We are a business, a grouping of businesses, an institution, a municipality, or an organization active in an eligible sector.
Sector fit
Our building falls under industrial, commercial, agricultural, agri-food, manufacturing (primary or secondary), institutional, or municipal.
Geography
The building is located in Québec.
Building status
The building has not applied to the RCx component in the last five years.
If new, it was commissioned at least three years ago.
Project design
We will follow the five RCx phases (planning, investigation, implementation, transfer, continuous monitoring).
The measures we plan to implement represent at least 5% of pre-project site energy consumption.
If we previously received funding under the standard implementation stream, our RCx savings are additional.
Capacity and documentation
We can engage an accredited RCx agent to sign the analysis deliverables.
We can complete the project within 24 months (plus possible exceptional extension).
We have the ability to train staff, update documentation, and conduct two years of continuous monitoring with annual reports.
We can collect and maintain invoices, internal labour records, and purchase orders.
If you answer “yes” to all items, your organization is well positioned to qualify for ÉcoPerformance RCx in Québec.
Conclusion
ÉcoPerformance RCx is a Québec-only government funding program enabling organizations across industrial, commercial, agricultural, agri-food, manufacturing, institutional, and municipal sectors to improve building performance. Eligibility hinges on the building’s location in Québec, adherence to the RCx methodology, engagement of an accredited RCx agent, and meeting key thresholds such as the 5% energy impact. With a clear plan for the five phases, two years of continuous monitoring, and the right documentation, most organizations that operate qualifying buildings in Québec can apply with confidence.
