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If you can't meet the March 31 deadline, please let us know

It's that time of year again, when projects for our fiscal year 2023 need to be completed by March 31.

"Sometimes, you need a nudge to get those projects done," says Tanya Perewernycky, program delivery specialist with our Alliance of Energy Professionals. "And sometimes, you may not be able to get them done in time. If you're in that position, you need to let us know if you need an extension. And if you've installed a product that's not on the approved list, give us a heads up. It could still qualify and get added to the list."

And in case you missed it, please check and double-check that you've submitted all project documentation. Need help? Call our business help desk at 1 866 522 4713.

Business energy saving incentives (BESI) are the meat and potatoes of most energy upgrade projects. They cover lighting, HVAC, refrigeration and mechanical technologies, and they're designed to shorten the payback period while reducing upfront project costs on average as much as $2,800.

Heading into the next year, Perewernycky recommends checking opportunities for outdoor lighting, which represent great potential for energy savings. And if you see a technology you'd like to use but it isn't on the list of incentives, let the Alliance team know. Hearing from contractors, consultants, and vendors is one big way products get added.

Tips for Alliance members, lighting and electric vehicles

We got a great response to this list when we ran it last June, so let's do it again for those who missed it or need a reminder. If you need help beyond what's offered below, contact us by email.

Lighting retrofit applications

Top tips for lighting incentives, which are offered through two programs depending on the size of your business: the business energy-saving incentives (BESI) program and the self-serve incentives program (SIP).

Tweaking an application? Let us know ASAP

One of the surest ways to guarantee a delay in processing incentives around a project – or worse, to see a project application rejected – is to not check in with revisions to an application.

Before you start work, get pre-approval

When you assume that a project will get our approval, it's tempting to get a jump on that work (or to purchase products) without waiting for pre-approval. Don't do it, or you risk leaving your customer on the hook for the extra costs of a lost incentive.

Pre-approval is required for product incentives (BESI) and self-serve incentives (SIP). And, as a general rule, for all commercial and industrial incentive projects.

Familiarize yourself with the BESI get started checklist [PDF], and CEM Hub, the tool for navigating registration, login and the application process.

If, in reviewing invoices, we discover that some products were purchased before the pre-approval date, they'll be disqualified.

Confirm that products are eligible for your retrofit

We only pay for product upgrades that will deliver on qualified energy savings specified by the program. It's all about the right product in the right configuration, and each upgrade must match the specifics of the application.

"For BESI, confirm products you're interested in are eligible for the retrofit configuration you're applying for," says Perewernycky. "Get acquainted with the e.Catalog and always check it."

Eligibility for incentives is specifically linked to the technology being replaced, and which upgrades and products qualify. It's very specific to each retrofit. Based on what the customer has existing, identify what they can upgrade to, and which products they can use.

Learn about project inspections, including the remote option

The majority of projects go ahead – with incentives paid out – without pre or post site inspections. But projects are selected for inspection at random by an algorithm.

Get details about remote inspections.

Make sure invoices are complete and clear

The final stage of an incentive application, after project declaration, is an invoice review. Your invoice will need to include the application number, model numbers of the products installed – check that they match what was indicated in the customer's declaration – and the quantities of each product as well as the cost to install.

If the information is unclear on the invoices submitted, follow-up is required. And that causes a delay in the customer receiving their incentive.

Electric vehicle charger applications

Know the requirement differences between EV charger offers

Rebates for home chargers

• Eligible for single-family homes, townhouses or duplexes.
• Products must be new, not leased or previously used.
• Approved for sale and use in Canada and have cUL, ULC, cETL, CSA, or cQPS certification.
• Products must be a Level 2 charger, 208 volt or 240 volt, and feature a SAE J1772 standard plug head (the only exception to the SAE J1772 plug head requirement is the Tesla Wall Connector. The Tesla Mobile Connector is not eligible for rebates.).
• Applications must be submitted within 90 days of the charger installation.

Rebates for apartment/condo charging

EV Ready plan

• Stratas are eligible to have an EV Ready plan document prepared to help them plan and prepare for EV charger installations.

EV Ready infrastructure rebates

• Require a completed and approved EV Ready plan.

EV charger rebates – pre-approval is required for...

• Implementing the EV Ready plan.
• For those who didn't complete an EV Ready plan, installing eligible chargers.
• Eligible chargers must be networked and connected to a central system via internet communication.
• Note that Tesla Wall Connectors are not eligible for rebates at apartment or condo buildings.

Rebates for workplace

• Eligibility is limited to workplace employee-dedicated parking only.
• Eligible chargers must be networked and connected to a central system via internet communication.
• Note that Tesla Wall Connectors are not eligible for workplace rebates.
• Application pre-approval is required.

Learn more about rebate offers for chargers at single-family homes, in condos and apartments, and at workplaces.