Efficient Solutions Program
Small Businesses
You could receive financial assistance to implement energy efficiency measures in your company. The Small Businesses component will meet all your needs—big or small!
Enhanced offering
With the Small Businesses component, you can receive financial assistance to carry out energy efficiency projects in buildings and plants subject to Rate G. Using the OSE tool, businesses can estimate the amount of financial assistance they could receive in order to implement targeted energy efficiency measures and also submit their project quickly and easily once it has been completed. The eligibility criteria are tailored to small businesses.
Advantages for small businesses
Receive financial assistance of up to 90% of eligible costs.
Reduce your electricity bill and improve your company’s competitive edge.
Improve your company’s brand image.
List of products that are eligible for financial assistance under the Small Businesses component
Institutional buildings
- Installation of LED light fixtures with DLC rating
- Installation of geothermal heat pumps
- Installation of heat pumps in a mixed water loop system
- Installation of aerothermal heat pumps
- Installation of a thermal storage unit
- Improvements to the thermal envelope (walls, roof, windows)
- Drain water heat recovery
- Recovery of heat from air and pool enclosures
- Recovery of heat from air vents
- Recovery of heat discharged by refrigeration systems (arena, curling rink)
- Installation of variable-frequency drives (range hood, HVAC system, pump motor, fan motor)
- Improvements to the efficiency of an arena or curling rink ice refrigeration system (CO2, ammonia)
- Installation of an HVAC control system
- Installation of an induction cooktop
- Installation of solar panels to preheat domestic hot water
- Installation of a solar wall to preheat fresh air
- Installation of air-conditioning cooling units with a high-efficiency compressor
- Installation of air-conditioning cooling units with a variable-speed drive on the compressor motor
- Installation of EnergyStar certified air-conditioners
- Installation of an air-conditioning unit with a variable-speed compressor - New
Commercial buildings
- Installation of LED light fixtures with DLC rating
- Installation of geothermal heat pumps
- Installation of aerothermal heat pumps
- Installation of a thermal storage unit
- Improvements to the thermal envelope (walls, roof, windows)
- Drain water heat recovery
- Recovery of heat from air vents
- Recovery of heat discharged by a refrigeration system in refrigerated display cases and cold-storage rooms (grocery stores)
- Installation of variable-frequency drives (range hood, HVAC system, pump motor, fan motor)
- Improvements to the efficiency of a refrigeration system in refrigerated display cases and cold-storage rooms for grocery stores (CO2, ammonia)
- Use of efficient snow cannons at ski hills
- Installation of an HVAC control system
- Installation of an induction cooktop
- Installation of a solar wall to preheat fresh air
- Installation of air-conditioning cooling units with a high-efficiency compressor
- Installation of air-conditioning cooling units with a variable-speed drive on the compressor motor
- Installation of EnergyStar certified air-conditioners
- Installation of an air-conditioning unit with a variable-speed compressor - New
- Installation of ENERGY STAR® certified air-conditioners - New
Industrial buildings
- Installation of LED light fixtures with DLC rating
- Installation of efficient air compressors (max 200 hp)
- Installation of a solar wall to preheat fresh air
- Installation of variable-frequency drives for pumping processes (max 500 hp)
- Installation of a high-efficiency compressor on a refrigeration system (max 100 T)
- Installation of variable-frequency drives on refrigeration system components (compressor, condenser ventilation, evaporator fan)
Eligibility criteria*
The project must:
- be carried out in one or more commercial, institutional or industrial buildings subject to Rate G and located in Québec;
- target one or more buildings that receive their electricity from the Hydro-Québec grid or an eligible off-grid, municipal or cooperative system;
- target energy efficiency measures predefined in the OSE tool;
- qualify for financial assistance of at least $1,000;
- target only new equipment.
* For all the program requirements, refer to the Participant’s Guide – Small Businesses Component [PDF 128 kB - In French only].
OSE calculation tool
More than 200 predefined measures for which the savings and financial assistance are determined in advance.
Calculate* the amount of financial assistance that you could receive using the OSE tool.
A quick and effective tool to:
- validate the eligibility of the measures you’ve selected
- assess the amount of financial assistance you may be entitled to receive
- submit your request for financial assistance
Version 3.1 of OSE effective June 3, 2022
Download the OSE tool
[EXE 13 Mo– in French only]
As of June 3, 2022, participants who submit a project with work starting May 9, 2022, or later, must use version 3.1 of the OSE tool.
*Download the latest version of the software to take advantage of the most recent program updates.
Video in French only
video transcriptionOSE tool
Participation documents
- Participant’s Guide – Small Businesses Component [PDF 128 kB - In French only]
- Conditions and undertakings [PDF 122 kB - In French only]
- Municipal and cooperative systems [PDF 58 kB - In French only]
- Eligible off-grid systems and Calculation of financial assistance [PDF 66 kB - In French only]
- Notice of participation – Aggregator* [PDF 706 kB - In French only]
* Document for project aggregators
Inspirational examples
Read testimonials from companies that have participated in our programs and see examples of projects to learn more about the potential financial assistance available.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I participate in the Small Businesses component?
As a small business, you will benefit from measures that are tailored to your reality and from additional financial assistance of up to 90% of the eligible costs as well as a reduced eligibility threshold of $1,000. This will help you lower your electricity bill and improve your competitive edge.
Why is the Small Businesses component different from the Medium and Large Businesses component?
The Small Businesses component provides additional financial assistance and a reduced eligibility threshold for small businesses subject to Rate G, which differentiates it from the Medium and Large Businesses component.
Who is the Small Businesses component intended for?
This component is intended for companies that are subject to Rate G and that have one or more commercial, institutional or industrial buildings located in Québec and that receive their electricity from the Hydro-Québec grid or from an eligible off-grid, municipal or cooperative system. Refer to the Participant’s Guide – Small Businesses Component [PDF 128 kB - In French only] to learn more about the program requirements.
I would like to participate in the Small Businesses component. What do I need to do?
You must first consult the Participant’s Guide – Small Businesses Component [PDF 128 kB - In French only] to learn about the requirements and the steps to take. You can also rely on engineering consulting services or an industry professional for support. You can also contact our customer support services at 1 800 ENERGIE.
I am an industry profesionnal. How can I help my customers participate in the Small Businesses component?
We encourage industry professionals (engineering consulting firm, contractor, company specializing in energy, etc.) to promote the program with their customers in order to implement energy efficiency projets. All the relevant information is available on the Partners and aggregators page.
Obtain incentive compensation by becoming a business partner or an aggregator.
Hydro-Québec is looking for partners and project aggregators who would like to participate in its programs and promote them to their customers.
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