As of July 24, 2026, Ontario commercial lighting opportunities are divided among the Small Business Program, Instant Discounts for eligible products through participating distributors, Retrofit incentives for networked lighting controls, and qualifying custom projects.
Program information changes. Confirm every customer, product, purchasing, installer, application, approval, contribution, installation, and timing requirement on the official Save on Energy pages before acting.
Quick planning checklist
- Confirm business, facility, location, ownership or tenant, employee, and project eligibility
- Identify whether the work is an existing-building retrofit, control project, small-business direct install, or custom project
- Check current eligible measures, products, distributors, installers, contributions, and limits
- Verify whether an application or pre-approval is required before commitment or work
- Keep invoices, product information, quantities, address, calculations, approvals, and installation records
- Do not show an incentive as guaranteed until the program provider confirms it
Small Business Program
The official Small Business Program page advertises direct-install incentives, including up to $3,000 for eligible lighting equipment for qualifying Ontario businesses with 50 or fewer employees on site. Program representatives assess eligible upgrades, and the official FAQ says customers cannot use their own contractor for equipment installed under that program.
Instant Discounts Program
Instant Discounts provides point-of-purchase discounts through participating distributors for eligible lighting used to replace less-efficient lighting in existing Ontario commercial, industrial, institutional, agricultural, or multi-unit residential facilities. Products, amounts, distributors, availability, customer contributions, and requirements can change.
Retrofit Program changes effective June 30, 2026
Save on Energy states that most lighting measures previously in the Retrofit Program are now offered through Instant Discounts. Networked Lighting Controls remain listed under Retrofit. The Custom stream may support qualifying complex projects based on verified energy or peak-demand reduction and eligible-cost limits.
Why the project route matters
A small business direct-install program, a distributor discount, a networked-controls application, and a custom energy project do not use the same equipment, contractor, purchasing, application, timing, or documentation process. Identify the possible route before equipment is ordered or commitments are made.
Use official sources
Review the Small Business Program, Instant Discounts Program, and current Retrofit measures. These primary sources control over summaries on this website.
Keep incentive responsibility explicit
The written project scope should state who checks eligibility, selects qualified products, purchases through the required channel, submits an application, receives approval, maintains records, verifies installation, and receives or applies the incentive. Do not assume the contractor handles every step.
Update volatile content
Display a program-review date and revisit the official pages before quoting an amount or advising a customer. Product lists and program requirements may be updated without notice, and an article can become stale even when the lighting technology has not changed.
Questions to ask before approving the work
- Which program route applies to this customer, building, measure, and project timing?
- Must a program delivery partner, participating distributor, or particular contractor route be used?
- Are the exact products and controls eligible on the planned purchase date?
- Is pre-approval required before commitment, purchase, delivery, or installation?
- What customer contribution, documentation, installation deadline, and verification apply?
- Who owns the application and what happens if the program changes or declines it?
Related services and facility guidance
Frequently asked questions
Did standard lighting measures leave the Retrofit Program?
Save on Energy says most lighting measures previously available through Retrofit moved to Instant Discounts effective June 30, 2026. Networked Lighting Controls remain listed under Retrofit.
Can our preferred contractor install Small Business Program equipment?
The official Small Business Program FAQ says only qualified Save on Energy contractors may install eligible equipment under that program. Separate non-program work can follow a different route.
Are Instant Discounts paid after the project?
The program describes upfront point-of-purchase discounts at participating distributors for eligible products. Confirm current requirements, product availability, contribution, and installation timing with the distributor and program.
Can an incentive be included in project payback?
It can be shown as a separate scenario when the amount and probability are responsibly supported. Do not treat it as confirmed until the applicable provider has approved or applied it under the program rules.
Primary Sources
Sources used for electrical, workplace, local, and incentive guidance
These primary sources support the material factual details on this page. Program information was reviewed July 24, 2026 and should be rechecked before a purchase, application, approval, or installation decision.
- Save on Energy: Small Business ProgramCurrent eligibility, direct-install process, lighting limits, qualified installer route, and program documents.
- Save on Energy: Instant Discounts ProgramCurrent eligible lighting products, participating distributor process, customer requirements, and installation timing.
- Save on Energy: Retrofit Measures and IncentivesCurrent Retrofit lighting-control measures, custom-project information, and the June 2026 lighting-program update.
Turn the guide into a site-specific plan
Use the facility, operating schedule, existing equipment, access, and priority areas to prepare a clear scope and written estimate.