Save on Energy Small Business Program: Free Upgrades up to $5,500

Save on Energy Small Business Program

The Small Business Program gives Ontario businesses with 50 or fewer employees a free on-site assessment and free installation of eligible upgrades: up to $3,000 for lighting and up to $2,500 for non-lighting equipment such as refrigeration and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning).

Free upgrades for stores, restaurants, clinics and other small businesses, installed by the program.

Reviewed by Adam Polakow, Managing Director · Checked October 27, 2026

What's free

Up to $3,000

For eligible lighting upgrades, installed for you.

Up to $2,500

For eligible non-lighting upgrades such as refrigeration and HVAC equipment.

Free assessment

An on-site look at lighting, refrigeration and HVAC equipment.

Managed install

The program finds the contractor, schedules the work and cleans up.

Who qualifies

Ontario businesses with 50 or fewer employees, in a wide range of industries, for example:

Retail stores
Medical and pharmacy services
Restaurants, food and hospitality
Grocery and specialty food stores
Pet and grooming services
Automotive repair

How it works

Book a free assessment through Save on Energy (saveonenergy.ca/SBP or 1-833-825-7283).
Review the upgrade options; if you go ahead, sign the participant agreement and work order.
Installation is arranged and managed by the program's delivery partners.

Bigger than a small business?

If your building has more space or larger equipment, look at the Save on Energy Retrofit Program, Existing Building Commissioning or Enbridge Gas Custom Retrofit. Our rebate tracker lists them all.

Sources: Save on Energy: Small Business Program brochure · Save on Energy: small business. Program details change; we confirm current rules before you commit.

Common questions

Who qualifies for the Small Business Program?

Ontario businesses with 50 or fewer employees, such as retail stores, medical and pharmacy services, food and hospitality, grocery and specialty food stores, pet services and automotive repair.

What is free?

An on-site assessment of lighting, refrigeration and HVAC equipment, and installation of eligible upgrades: up to $3,000 for lighting and up to $2,500 for non-lighting upgrades.

How do I apply?

Book an assessment through Save on Energy. After the assessment you review options and sign a participant agreement; the program arranges the contractor and installation.