Overview

Whether you’re constructing a new commercial building, planning an expansion or undertaking a major renovation, our team of experts can help you incorporate energy-efficient design features to optimize the building’s performance and minimize energy use. The Commercial New Construction Program provides support for whole-building energy modeling as a design tool and offers incentives to help offset the capital cost of efficient construction. Suitable for commercial, institutional, and multi-unit residential building new construction projects.

Benefits of Commercial New Construction

Optimize energy performance and occupant comfort
Benefit from advanced design practices and leading technologies
Enjoy reduced operating costs compared to a code-minimum building
Reduce the building’s equivalent CO₂ emissions
Incentives to assist in constructing a more efficient building

Features of Commercial New Construction

Gain an understanding of the different energy efficient technologies suitable for your project
Establish performance goals for your building
Use Energy Modeling to evaluate design alternatives
Eligible projects receive a modeling incentive of up to $15,000, applied to consultant fees
Upon completion of construction, projects receive an implementation incentive proportional to total electricity savings

Common Measures for Commercial New Construction or Major Renovation

Envelope insulation higher than code requirement
Ventilation air heat recovery systems
High-performance heat pump technology
ENERGY STAR appliances (residential buildings)
Solar PV (some restrictions apply)

Getting Started

Eligibility Requirements

Project must be in design phase (pre-construction)

Total conditioned area must be at least 15,000 ft²;
Project must be located in Nova Scotia and save electrical energy;
Project must be defined as one of the following:
- A new structure;
- An addition to an existing structure;
- A major renovation of a building 15,000 ft² (1,394 m²) or greater;
Project must implement at least two energy efficient measures
Project must achieve a reduction in total building energy consumption of at least 25% and at least 100,000 kWh of electricity savings.

Incentive rates for New Construction or Major Renovation Projects:

Incentives are applicable to total electricity savings as determined through energy modeling.

Tier	Criteria	Incentive Rate
Tier 1	Total performance 25-50% better than baseline	$0.13 per kWh
Tier 2	Total performance 51-60% better than baseline	$0.14 per kWh
Tier 3	Total performance 61-99% better than baseline	$0.15 per kWh
Tier 4	Total performance 100% better than baseline (Net Zero)	$0.18 per kWh

Not-for-profit (NFP) & charitable organizations: additional $0.02/kWh, subject to ENS approval.

Program Documents

Please download, fill out and attach the Energy Modelling Incentive Application to the contact form: