saveONenergy FOR BUSINESS Programs Help Businesses Across Ontario Further Reduce Energy Costs

Incentives and resources for businesses available

OTTAWA, Nov. 10, 2014 /CNW/ - Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Energy, hosted an event today at a Tim Hortons restaurant in Ottawa to raise awareness about Ontario's saveONenergy FOR BUSINESS programs. The programs provide incentives and resources for businesses, including retrofits, energy audits, reviews of processes and systems, and energy managers. The programs form part of the new Conservation First Framework, which is designed to reduce electricity consumption by seven terawatt-hours between 2015 and 2020.

Under the saveONenergy RETROFIT PROGRAM, eligible companies can receive financial incentives of up to 50 percent of project costs towards modernizing current systems with high-efficiency equipment. Incentives are available for a range of measures, including lighting, motors, heating and cooling systems as well as new control systems.

Under the saveONenergy HIGH PERFORMANCE NEW CONSTRUCTION program, design assistance and incentives are available for building owners and architects who exceed the electricity efficiency standards specified in the Ontario Building Code. Designing and building a new structure with more energy-efficient equipment will result in a building with lower operating costs and lower environmental impacts.

Tim Hortons is a recognized leader in sustainability and green building practices, and it participates in both saveONenergy programs. In 2014, 245 Tim Hortons restaurants in Ontario will have undergone renovations that included energy-saving measures such as switching all lighting fixtures to light-emitting diode (LED) lights, the addition of white roofs where possible, the introduction of daylight harvesting techniques and the inclusion of occupancy sensors. These initiatives contribute to a projected post-renovation annual energy savings of 18,133 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity for a standard 2,500 square-foot restaurant. Tim Hortons aims to achieve energy savings of approximately four million kWh province-wide by December 31, 2014, which is comparable to the amount of electricity it would take to power about 420 homes for one year.

More information about the saveONenergy FOR BUSINESS programs, including a list of programs and eligibility requirements, is available at www.saveonenergy.ca/Business. To get started, apply online or contact your local electric utility.

Quotes

"Ontario is putting conservation first. It's one of our cleanest and most cost-effective energy resources — and it is one way businesses can reduce their energy bills. saveONenergy FOR BUSINESS programs help businesses save energy and money."
     -     Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Energy

"The saveONenergy FOR BUSINESS programs provide a great opportunity for businesses to manage their electricity use. Ontario businesses can access innovative programs that can help them reduce costs, while at the same time helping Ontario reduce its environmental footprint and defer the need to build new generation and infrastructure. We appreciate the leadership of companies like Tim Hortons who demonstrate their continuing support for our province-wide conservation goals as well as their commitment to a culture of conservation across Ontario."
     -     Andrew Pride, OPA Vice-President, Conservation

"Hydro One operates in every corner of Ontario so we are uniquely positioned to support multi-location businesses with their energy conservation goals. Through our participation in the OPA's saveONenergy FOR BUSINESS programs, we can offer businesses a one-stop, seamless conservation experience."
     -     Carm Marcello, President and CEO, Hydro One

"At Tim Hortons, we are always looking to new technologies and designs to improve energy efficiencies in our restaurants and reduce our overall environmental footprint. The saveONenergy FOR BUSINESS programs assist our restaurant owners in meeting their energy conservation goals and ultimately help them provide the ultimate experience to guests."
     -     Paulo Ferreira, Senior Director, International Design & Building Standards, Tim Hortons Inc.

Ontario continues to be a North American energy conservation leader. Ontario's conservation efforts are helping families and businesses across the province become more active in reducing their energy consumption. It is estimated that Ontarians have conserved about 8.6 terawatt-hours of electricity between 2005 and 2013 – enough to power a city about the size of Mississauga for a year. 

The Ontario Power Authority is responsible for ensuring a reliable, sustainable supply of electricity for Ontario. Its key areas of focus are planning the power system for the long term, leading and coordinating conservation initiatives across the province, and ensuring development of needed generation resources.

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SOURCE: Ontario Power Authority

Media Contact: John Cannella, 416-969-6307, Toll Free: 1-800-797-9604, [email protected]