Ensure Energy Efficiency is Built into your New Construction and Major Renovation Project from Day One
Targeting new construction and major renovations in the planning stages, the HIGH PERFORMANCE NEW CONSTRUCTION program provides design assistance and substantial financial incentives for building owners and architects who exceed the electricity efficiency standards specified in the Ontario Building Code.
Today, developers, architects, engineers, property owners and others in the building industry recognize the significance and positive impact of high performance construction. It clearly pays to put energy efficiency high on your priority list when renovating or building new facilities.
The HIGH PERFORMANCE NEW CONSTRUCTION program rewards builders and their project decision-makers with incentives for offsetting the cost of energy-efficiency measures, achieving lower long-term operating costs, greatly improved marketability and enhanced occupant comfort. By designing and building new buildings with more energy-efficient equipment for lighting, space cooling and ventilation, your building will cost less to operate, have lower environmental impacts and be a comfortable place in which to live, work or play.
Greater Electricity Savings Mean Greater Incentives
The HIGH PERFORMANCE NEW CONSTRUCTION program supports up to 100% of the cost of modelling a building (up to $10,000) for the building owner. Approved projects are eligible for incentives in one of two program approaches – a PRESCRIPTIVE component, which encourages incorporation of pre-approved technologies and a CUSTOM component with incentives based on modelled energy performance.
Incentives are based on standard efficiency measures calculated using worksheets for Lighting, Motors, Unitary A/C, Agribusiness, and Alternative measures for Space Cooling and Multi-Residential In-Suite Appliances
Financial Incentives for PRESCRIPTIVE Projects:
Building owners will receive up to $250 for every kilowatt saved and up to $60 per appliance.
The online PRESCRIPTIVE application will easily help you calculate the PRESCRIPTIVE incentive. Simply select which standard efficiency measure is being considered and enter the number of units requested to calculate the PRESCRIPTIVE incentive available for you.
Incentives are based on assumed energy and demand savings from modelling software results, used to determine the best energy-efficiency measures to incorporate in a new building or major renovation.
Financial Incentives for CUSTOM Projects:
Building owners
- Up to 25% above Code: $250 for every verified kilowatt saved
- Between 25% to 50% above Code: $300 for every verified kilowatt saved
- Greater than 50% above Code: $400 for every verified kilowatt saved
(Note: a CUSTOM project must be eligible for a minimum of $5,000 in incentives)
Design decision-maker (Architects, Engineers, Consultants, etc.)
- Greater than 25% above Code: $50 for every verified kilowatt saved
- Greater than 50% above Code: $100 for every verified kilowatt saved
Eligibility requirements
Eligible new buildings and major renovation projects in office buildings, industrial buildings, retail spaces, multi-residential buildings, housing complexes, colleges, universities, schools, hospitals, long-term care facilities, hotels and motels can participate. Agricultural building projects are also encouraged to apply.
To qualify, the projects must be in Ontario, comply with Part 3 of the Ontario Building Code (OBC), and be intended for commercial, institutional, industrial or multi-residential occupancy. Single-family dwellings are not eligible.
HIGH PERFORMANCE NEW CONSTRUCTION is a collection of design strategies and technologies for reducing energy consumption, improving an indoor environment and minimizing the environmental impact of a building. Energy efficiency and sustainable building practices can both be incorporated affordably.
To achieve high performance, you have to go beyond the normal building design process. Thorough planning, smart design and superior quality construction are just starters. Every building component is carefully considered during the design phase. The subsystems and other parts of the building are integrated. Since all of the pieces have to fit together well, it’s essential that the entire design team be fully integrated from the very beginning.
Getting started
Click here to see the relevant HIGH PERFORMANCE NEW CONSTRUCTION documents.
Relevant Documents
Contact Hydro Ottawa or apply online. A Hydro Ottawa representative will walk you through the process and help you get started.
You have the option of assigning a representative as the Design Decision Maker to complete the application.
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