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Existing Building Commissioning program
Incentives for commissioning to improve existing building energy performance
Record updated
- Funding available
- $ 50,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Deadline
- Open continuously
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
Overview
Save on Energy’s Existing Building Commissioning (EBCx) program supports Ontario commercial and institutional building owners, operators, and managers to hire accredited commissioning providers and implement recommissioning measures that improve energy management, reduce waste, and enhance occupant comfort. Funding includes up to $50,000 for the investigation phase (plus pay-for-performance incentives capped at $50,000 for implementation and $50,000 for persistence) for eligible activities such as set point and scheduling optimization, air and water balancing, operational and maintenance changes, and minor equipment repairs or replacements.
At a glance
Funding available
- Maximum funding
- $50,000
- Maximum share of project costs
- 75%
- Optimize production processes
- Reduce environmental footprint
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible candidates
- Location
- Ontario
- Eligible Industries
- All industries
- Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
- Organisation size
- All organization sizes
- Audience
- All groups
- Legal structures
- Public or Parapublic institution
Start applying for this program
Take a practical assessment to gain a clear understanding of how well this program aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Owners, operators, or managers of commercial buildings
- Owners, operators, or managers of institutional buildings
- Commissioning providers in Ontario (to sign up as providers under the program)
Who is not eligible
- Industrial and manufacturing facilities seeking incentives for energy used by industrial/manufacturing processes (this energy use is excluded from the program’s consumption threshold).
- Organizations that have undertaken a building commissioning exercise within the last two years.
- Organizations participating in a building accreditation system that requires EBCx as a pre-requisite.
- Organizations that do not own, operate, or manage a commercial or institutional building (i.e., do not have a qualifying building type for this program).
- Organizations with facilities not connected to (or behind the meter of) an electricity customer connected to the IESO-controlled grid or a distribution system.
Eligible expenses
- Fees paid to an accredited commissioning provider to investigate the facility, prepare the investigation report, and draft the commissioning plan (up to 75% of these investigation costs).
- Costs to implement energy-efficiency operational and maintenance improvements identified in the commissioning plan (covered through pay-for-performance incentives based on verified electricity savings).
- Costs for commissioning-provider training to maintain and monitor systems for one year (covered through pay-for-performance incentives based on persisting, verified electricity savings).
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Lighting projects
- Process load ECMs
- Behind-the-meter generation projects
- Fuel switching
- Measures funded under other incentive programs
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario (commercial and institutional buildings connected to, or behind the meter of, an electricity customer connected to the IESO-controlled grid or a distribution system).
Activities funded
- Conduct an existing-building commissioning (recommissioning) investigation to identify energy-saving opportunities and develop a commissioning plan.
- Implement operational and maintenance improvements identified through commissioning (e.g., scheduling and set point optimization, occupant behaviour measures, air and water balancing).
- Carry out minor equipment repairs or replacements required to support the commissioning improvements.
- Complete a one-year persistence phase to monitor performance and maintain the improvements with support/training from a commissioning provider.
How to apply
- Step 1: Engage a commissioning provider
- Retain a qualified commissioning provider to work on the application.
- Step 2: Prepare the application
- Complete the application and supporting documentation through the commissioning provider.
- Step 3: Submit to the IESO
- Submit the application for review through the program process.
- Step 4: Sign the agreement if approved
- Enter into a Participant Agreement before participating in the program.
Documents Needed
- Program Requirements
- Program Brochure
- Participant Agreement
- Commissioning Provider Agreement
- List of Documentation Required
- Measurement & Verification (M&V) Guide
Selection criteria
- Measures are subject to IESO technical review and approval.
- Incentives are based on confirmed energy savings.
- Persistence incentives depend on confirmed persisting energy savings after 12 months.
Processing and Agreement
- The application must be submitted by a commissioning provider.
- Applications are reviewed by the IESO and approved applications require a Participant Agreement.
- Each phase report is submitted and reviewed under the program’s phase requirements.
- Participant reports and supporting documentation are used to determine incentive payments.
Additional information
- Incentives are tied to three phases (Investigation, Implementation, Persistence) and are only available to participants who complete each phase.
- Building commissioning is performed by an accredited/authorized commissioning provider who identifies energy conservation measures and supports implementation.
- The program includes training to help participants maintain and monitor building systems and integrate ongoing commissioning into standard management practices.
- Energy savings are calculated and verified after a 12-month period for the Persistence phase.
Contacts
Official sources
Program guide
Existing Building Commissioning ProgramExisting Building Commissioning ProgramExisting Building Commissioning Program Measurement & Verification Guide
Frequently Asked Questions about the Existing Building Commissioning program Program
What is the Existing Building Commissioning program?
Save on Energy’s Existing Building Commissioning (EBCx) program supports Ontario commercial and institutional building owners, operators, and managers to hire accredited commissioning providers and implement recommissioning measures that improve energy management, reduce waste, and enhance occupant comfort. Funding includes up to $50,000 for the investigation phase (plus pay-for-performance incentives capped at $50,000 for implementation and $50,000 for persistence) for eligible activities such as set point and scheduling optimization, air and water balancing, operational and maintenance changes, and minor equipment repairs or replacements.
How much funding can be received?
Existing Building Commissioning program Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $50,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the Existing Building Commissioning program program?
To be eligible for the Existing Building Commissioning program program, you must:
Owner, operator, or manager of an Ontario commercial or institutional building.
Facility has 12+ months consecutive energy data and uses ≥750,000 kWh/year (excluding industrial/manufacturing processes).
Building connected to (or behind the meter of) an electricity customer on the IESO-controlled grid or a distribution system.
What expenses are eligible under Existing Building Commissioning program?
Fees paid to an accredited commissioning provider to investigate the facility, prepare the investigation report, and draft the commissioning plan (up to 75% of these investigation costs).
Costs to implement energy-efficiency operational and maintenance improvements identified in the commissioning plan (covered through pay-for-performance incentives based on verified electricity savings).
Costs for commissioning-provider training to maintain and monitor systems for one year (covered through pay-for-performance incentives based on persisting, verified electricity savings).
Who can I contact for more information about the Existing Building Commissioning program?
You can contact Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) by email at EBCx@ieso.ca.
Where is the Existing Building Commissioning program available?
The Existing Building Commissioning program program is available the province of Ontario.