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Posted: Monday, April 12, 2010
By: |
More Incentives to Build Efficiently with the Ontario Power Authority’s High Performance New Construction Program
There’s mounting evidence that above Code construction offers commercial buildings more than environmental benefits. A high performance premium can also be seen in everything from lower operating costs and better productivity to superior marketability and brand value. And now building owners and design decision-makers here in Ontario have one more reason to “build it better” from the start. Enbridge Gas Distribution is delivering a new building construction incentive program on behalf of the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), with the goal of eliminating 50 megawatts of peak electricity demand by the end of 2012. The High Performance New Construction Program (HPNC) provides design assistance and substantial financial incentives for building owners and architects who exceed the electricity efficiency specified in the Ontario Building Code for new construction.
Enbridge is delivering this program, across Ontario outside the 416 area code1. To effectively reach the building and design community across the province, Enbridge has contracted with Union Gas to deliver the HPNC program in its franchise area. Enbridge and Union Gas will also service non-gas areas.
The HPNC program targets all commercial construction (including new buildings, significant additions to an existing building, and major renovations) for offices, retail space, multi-unit residential buildings, affordable housing, colleges, universities, schools, hospitals, long-term care facilities, hotels and motels, and agribusinesses2. Some new industrial construction may also qualify3.
Approved projects are eligible for incentives in one of two program streams – a prescriptive component that encourages incorporation of pre-approved technologies4 and a custom component with incentives based on modelled energy performance5. For approved prescriptive projects HPNC will pay building owners $250 per kW of verified savings6. For approved custom projects owners may receive the up to $400 per kW of verified savings7 and project architects may also qualify for incentives of $100 per kW of verified savings. As well, a building owner may receive up to 100% of the cost of modelling building energy performance8.
As the program is focused strictly on reducing electricity demand, applicants don’t have to be Enbridge or Union Gas customers or use natural gas in their projects to participate. For those who are planning to use natural gas in new construction, however, there are opportunities to apply for added design and construction incentives through natural gas utility programs.
The program targets new construction in the planning stages. This means that custom applications must be submitted before project commitment and prescriptive projects have up to 30 days after completion to apply. Enbridge will receive applications up to October 31, 2010 and construction will have to be completed by the end of 2012 for projects to be eligible to receive incentive payments.
The OPA would like to see every commercial construction project outside of the 416 area code enrolled in this initiative. It is an important opportunity not only to reduce investment costs and improve return on projects but also to show leadership in environmental stewardship. More information on the High Performance New Construction Program can be obtained by calling 1-888-OPA-HPNC (1-888-672-4762) or by visiting our website.
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1The City of Toronto offers a similar program in the 416 area code.
2Single-family dwellings are not eligible.
3Industrial projects may qualify for incentives for energy efficiency in new building structures or major renovations; incentives do not apply to electricity reductions as a result of process improvements.
4As specified in OPA worksheets.
5Approved energy models include EE4, DOE-2, or eQUEST.
6Prescriptive incentives must total $1,000 for the project to qualify.
7Or 50% of incremental costs if this figure is lower.
8Up to a maximum of $10,000.
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http://www.hpnc.ca/
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