GENERAL FAQ
- What does the program hope to achieve?
- I hear that BBP offers incentives. Can you tell me more?
- Where does the money come from?
- Can the funding be denied?
- Other than money, is there any other value that the BBP program offers?
- Who does BBP work with?
- What do you mean by a trade ally?
- Is BBP just for buildings in the city of Toronto?
- How do I apply for a BBP incentive?
- Can I apply for other incentives? Will you help me with those applications as well?
- Are buildings going to have an energy rating system like appliances do?
FAQ Existing Building Retrofits
- Is there any way I can calculate what my energy savings and cost savings will be if I undertake a retrofit project?
- What requirements need to be met to apply for incentives? Where do I start?
- Does BBP do energy audits?
- Can the BBP incentives pay for an entire retrofit project?
- Why does the project needs to be evaluated?
- Who does the final evaluations?
- What if I’ve already done energy retrofits? Do I still qualify?
- Is the BBP only focused on electricity conservation?
- What types of upgrades can my building do?
Specific Program Questions
FAQ MASH (Municipal, Academic, Social Services, and Healthcare)
- What is included in the MASH sector?
- Who should apply (building managers, landlords, etc…)?
- Are there any specific requirements for institutional buildings?
- Where do I go for incentives for a multi-residential building in Toronto?
- What types of upgrades can buildings do?
- When do upgrades have to be completed for the current OPA incentive?
- How long does it take for funding to be released?
- What is the goal of the BBP-NC?
FAQ New Construction
- What kind of construction is eligible for this program?
- What is the incentive program for New Constructions?
- Is there a minimum requirement for the building to met?
- Can buildings in the construction phase apply for the program?
- Is there a time restriction for building completion?
- How and when do I get paid?
- Does BBP-NC have a connection with the Toronto Green Standard?
GENERAL FAQ
Q: What does the program hope to achieve?
BBP’s primary goal is to help reduce carbon emissions in the city of Toronto, by improving the energy efficiency of buildings – new and old – within the city. There are additional goals behind the program that include:
- Creating a culture of conservation and sustainability in Toronto buildings – making them more desirable places to live and to do business
- Increasing awareness of energy conservation
- To be a knowledgeable resource of energy measures and best practices
- To provide excellence in service to program participants
- Collaborate with others to streamline energy programs and policy for Toronto buildings
- To be a strong contributor to the creation of green jobs and economic growth in the City of Toronto
Q: I hear that BBP offers incentives. Can you tell me more?
BBP’s Existing Buildings program assists building owners to improve their buildings through energy efficiency retrofits. These retrofits may be eligible for incentives that offset the cost of such initiatives and subsequently shorten the payback period.
BBP’s New Construction program enables improved energy efficiency in building design. An upfront portion of the incentive assists with the cost of energy modeling at the design phase and the remainder of the incentive is calculated on how well the energy profile of the ‘as built’ building exceeds the standard Ontario Building Code requirement. The target is to surpass the current OBC energy efficiency standards by at least 25 per cent.
Q: Where does the money come from?
BBP’s current energy savings program directs people to funds made available by the Ontario Power Authority.
Q: Can the funding be denied?
No, as long as the application meets the requirements.
Q: Other than money, is there any other value that the BBP program offers?
We also help building owners and managers locate and work with energy management firms and energy service companies so that you can establish a suitable energy upgrade plan for your building. We can help you develop your plan for presentation to senior staff and decision-makers. Also, our program’s monitoring and verification practices provide a ‘stamp of approval’ that is of real value to building owners and managers. We occasionally offer workshops and other forums to provide useful information on such things as energy-related technologies and tools, and how to most effectively access the wide range of incentives that are available for buildings. Finally, we work to make sure that our program participants are recognized for the good work that they do.
Q: Who does BBP work with?
Generally for existing buildings we focus on helping building owners and managers in the multi-residential and institutional sectors, and with new construction we generally work with building developers, energy modellers, architects and other design team members. In both cases there are also groups of trade allies that we work with.
Q: What do you mean by a trade ally?
These are people and companies that provide energy-related services and solutions for buildings. They are knowledgeable about our programs and promote them to building owners and managers.
Q: Is BBP just for buildings in the city of Toronto?
BBP works only with building project that are in the 416 area code.
Q: How do I apply for an incentive?
You can find this information on the website – www.toronto.ca/bbp/apply . If you need to speak to someone, you can also find the project managers’ contact info for your sector on the site.
Q: Can I apply for other incentives? Will you help me with those applications as well?
We can suggest other programs, for example Enbridge’s program for natural gas savings, however you are responsible for those applications.
Q: Are buildings going to have an energy rating system like appliances do?
This is a long term goal that the ‘green’ building industry is working toward.
FAQ Existing Building Retrofits
Q: Is there any way I can calculate what my energy savings and cost savings will be if I undertake a retrofit project?
It is really very project specific, taking into account the start condition of the building and its systems, the size of the building, the nature of the retrofits and the use of the building. There are energy calculator tools available that can help estimate savings.
Q: Where do I start?
The important place to start is with an energy audit that reveals where energy savings can be achieved. This would then lead to the creation of a proposed project that can be presented as the basis for an application to the BBP program.
Q: Does BBP do energy audits?
No, however we can facilitate if someone is looking for an energy auditor.
Q: Can the BBP incentives pay for an entire retrofit project?
No, depending on the building sector and the nature of the project, the incentive can cover between 40 and 50 percent of the total eligible project costs.
Q: Why does the project need to be evaluated?
An evaluation is required to verify the exact amount of energy savings that the incentive payment will be calculated on.
Q: Who does the final evaluations?
They are conducted by a third party energy evaluator. All such costs are paid for by the program.
Q: What if I’ve already done energy retrofits? Do I still qualify?
The program is designed for buildings that are planning retrofits or new builds.
Q: Is the BBP only focused on electricity conservation?
No, the Better Buildings Partnership takes a very holistic attitude toward conservation. The BBP was created as a program to address multiple City of Toronto priorities including global climate change and its implications for society, economical development and job creation. There three areas are central to a number of objectives that city council mandates for the partnership at the time of its inception in 1996. To this end we work very collaboratively with Enbridge and with the City’s Water Division.
Q: What types of upgrades can my building do?
Everything from lighting upgrades, to deep water cooling. The program is designed to support any initiative that reduces peak kilowatt hours and in turn reduces CO2 emissions.
Specific Program Questions
FAQ MASH (Municipal, Academic, Social Services, and Healthcare)
Q: What is included in the MASH sector?
This is essentially the institutional sector that includes municipal, academic, social services and healthcare buildings.
Q: Who should apply (building managers, landlords, etc…)?
In the MASH sector it is most likely a facilities manager or energy coordinator, or others that we work with to fill out the application.
Q: Are there any specific requirements for institutional buildings?
They must be owned and operated by a MASH organization. In some cases, such as university residences, the buildings are owned and operated by an organization rather than the university in which case they would instead apply as a multi residential building.
Q:Where do I go for incentives for a multi-residential building in Toronto?
Toronto Hydro at www.torontohydro.com
Q: What types of upgrades can buildings do?
This depends on the investment the building owner is prepared to put into the building. They can range from lighting upgrades, to complete Heating/cooling/boiler upgrades, chiller replacements, corridor fans (VFD), garage fans (CO System), BAS, window replacements and more.
Q: When do upgrades have to be completed for the current OPA incentive?
By December 31, 2014.
Q: How long does it take for funding to be released?
Generally it takes 60-90 days after the project is completed and verified by our project evaluator.
FAQ New Construction
Q: What is the goal of the BBP-NC?
To help ensure that new buildings being constructed in the City of Toronto exceed the minimum building code (Ontario Building Code) for energy efficiency, ultimately helping to conserve energy and reduce CO2 emissions.
Q: What kind of construction is eligible for this program?
All new buildings, additions to an existing building, alterations which converts an existing building to another use and complete all-system retrofit.
Q: What is the incentive program for New Constructions?
High Performance New Construction (HPNC) is the current OPA program that offers energy savings for new buildings. These are two program streams: Custom and Prescriptive.
Q: Is there a minimum requirement for the building to meet?
The minimum payment for a prescriptive project is $1000 and for custom project is $5000.
Q: Can buildings in the construction phase apply for the program?
Yes if the building permit was issued after January 01,2011 and the equipment has not yet been purchased.
Q: Is there a time restriction for building completion?
Yes, the construction must be completed by December 31, 2014 such that the building is ready for occupancy.
Q: How and when do I get paid?
The final ‘constructed savings’ incentive is paid when the building is complete and final documentation is verified and approved.
Q: Does BBP-NC have a connection with the Toronto Green Standard?
Yes there is an important energy efficiency requirement for TGS that BBP can help site plan applicants to achieve. We work closely with City of Toronto Planning Division on this.
