Efficient Solutions Program
Small Businesses
Take advantage of an offer adapted to small businesses and receive advantageous financial assistance.
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.
Calculate your financial assistance
The OSE tool gives you access to more than 200 predefined measures for which the savings and financial assistance are calculated in advance.
You can:
- 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.
OSE tool 3.1*
Version in effect since June 3, 2022
Video in French only
Informative video about the OSE tool
Duration: 2 minutes 22 seconds
video transcriptionOSE tool
*Make sure you use the version of the software that corresponds to your project start date:
November 19, 2018, to June 8, 2020: version 1.0
June 9, 2020, to May 8, 2022: version 2.1
May 9, 2022, to now: version 3.1
If you began your project prior to May 9, 2022, refer to the transitional rules.
Institutional buildings
- Installation of LED fixtures with or without DLC Premium 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 induction cooktops
- 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 ENERGY STAR® certified air-conditioners
- Installation of air-conditioning units with a variable-speed compressor NEW
Commercial buildings
- Installation of LED fixtures with or without DLC Premium rating
- Installation of geothermal heat pumps
- Installation of aerothermal heat pumps
- Installation of thermal storage units
- 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 induction cooktops
- 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 ENERGY STAR® certified air-conditioners
- Installation of air-conditioning units with a variable-speed compressor NEW
- Installation of ENERGY STAR® certified commercial refrigerators or freezers NEW
Industrial buildings
- Installation of LED fixtures with or without DLC Premium 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 fan, 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 the program requirements, refer to the Participant’s Guide – Small Businesses Component [in French only].
Participation documents
Section 3 of the Participant’s Guide – Small Businesses Component [in French only] was updated on November 18, 2022.
Participant’s Guide – Small Businesses Component [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 [in French only]
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 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?
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 look to engineering consulting services or an industry professional for support or contact our customer and partner support services at 1 800 ENERGIE (1 800 363-7443).
I am an energy efficiency professional. How can I help my customers participate in the Small Businesses component?
We encourage industry professionals (engineering consulting firms, contractors, companies specializing in energy, etc.) to promote the Efficient Solutions Program with their customers in order to find and implement energy efficiency projects. For more information, see the Participant’s Guide – Small Businesses Component [PDF 128 kB - in French only]
Obtain incentive compensation by becoming a business partner or an aggregator.
Become a partner or an aggregator
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