table of contents
Are there disposal regulations for ballasts that contain PCB’s?
I heard that you’re no longer booking assessments, is this true?
How do I know if I fit into one of the building types?
What building types are not eligible for incentives?
Are parking lots or parkades included?
Why are the different building types allotted different funding amounts?
Why are the incentive maximums defined by company for each building type?
What is the cost to participate?
Can I apply on behalf of a client, I’m a lighting company or energy management company?
Can I use the audit or assessment I already had done?
How long will an assessment take?
Why do I have to get a lighting assessment?
How long after requesting an assessment can I expect to receive a call to schedule one?
How much will my project cost?
I’m building a new office, can I apply?
I’ve already changed my lights, can I still apply for the rebates?
I want to use a product not on your rebate list, do I still qualify?
How can I add a product to your rebate list?
Are the rebate amounts on New Luminaires based on a per fixture or per lamp basis
Are the rebate amounts on Lamp plus Ballast retrofit based on a per fixture or per lamp basis?
How long do I have to complete the retrofits and apply for my incentive?
How long will it take to receive my rebate cheque?
Can I pick any manufacturer’s products?
How do I find a lighting supply company?
I am a lighting supply company or installer, can I get on a list of approved vendors?
How long is the program running?
How do I find a certified installer?
Do I require an inspection of my completed project?
Can I fax in my application and/or incentive claim?
I have a question not listed here. Can I call someone?
Are there disposal regulations for ballasts that contain PCB’s?
Yes. When retrofitting lights, you need to be aware of requirements under law for removal, storage and disposal of ballasts that contain Polychlorinated Biphenyls or PCB’s. If a ballast was manufactured prior to 1982 it may contain PCB’s, a potential carcinogen that can cause health hazards if ingested. PCB’s are subject to specific federal and provincial regulations for storage, and disposal and, according to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, new regulations will require removal of PCB ballasts in lighting fixtures by 2025. It is the building owner’s responsibility to ensure compliance with Federal and Provincial Hazardous Waste Management Regulations. Failure to do so can results in fines. To ensure proper disposal, contact the Alberta Recycle Info Line at 1-800-463-6326 to locate a hazardous waste broker in your area.
I heard that you’re no longer booking assessments, is this true?
Yes. Due to the popularity of Light it Right, all rebate funds have currently been spoken for. However, the booking assessment form remains open, and we encourage interested business owners to continue to sign up. Applications will be placed on a waiting list and applicants notified on a first-come, first-serve basis if additional funds become available.
How do I know if I fit into one of the building types?This is how we define the building types for Light it Right:
Multi-Unit Residential
Any residential building that contains a minimum of 2 seprate residences and a common area that can include lobbies, laundry facilities, or parking. Applies to wood-frame, steel, and concrete construction. The rebate will ONLY apply to retrofits made in the internal and external, common areas of these buildings, not to any retrofits made to individual, residential units.
Retail
Small, mid-sized and large retail spaces. Includes stand-alone units as well as units part of a strip mall or larger commercial space. Addresses individually owned retail operations as well as retail chains. Includes but is not limited to operations such as malls, car dealerships, big box stores, and specialized retail operations. Community halls that are owned by the community are included.
Restaurants
Any fast food, stand-alone, or individual food service operation. Can be located in a larger commercial space, such as a shopping mall.
Offices/Hotels
A building containing commercial business operations, exclusive of manufacturing. Application can be for the entire building or only one operation within a building. Includes, but it not limited to medical, dental, financial, consulting, not-for-profit, legal, and trade offices. Also includes hotels.
Warehouse/Recreational Facilities
A light industrial facility, excluding manufacturing facilities. Also includes privately owned recreational facilities.
What building types are not eligible for incentives?
Churches, care facilities/hospitals, schools, institutions, and hospitals.
Municipal, provincial, and federally owned buildings are not eligible for rebates, regardless of the operations in the building.
Are parking lots or parkades included?
If the parking lot or parkade is attached to a building that falls under one of our qualified building types then it does qualify for the program. Independent parking lots that require payment are considered a retail operation and therefore eligible for the program.
Why are the different building types allotted different funding amounts?
Incentive values differ per building type to represent the relative market size (% of floor space) and energy savings potential for each building category. The categories with greatest potential for savings and participation are allocated proportionally larger amounts of the available funding for those reasons.
Why are the incentive maximums defined by company for each building type?
Our goal here at Climate Change Central is to ensure that the maximum number of companies is able to participate in the program. There are some large building owners/property management firms that could easily secure all the funding for some key projects in large buildings. By setting corporate maximums more participants can take advantage of the financial incentives.
What is the cost to participate?
The only cost to participating in the program, without the retrofit costs of course, is a $250 charge per assessment. 50% of this cost will be refunded when we approve your rebate claim.
Can I qualify for lighting rebates if I change the lighting in my personal condo if I am in a Multi-Unit Residential Building?
Sorry, our rebates are only for changes in the common areas of Multi-Unit Residential Buildings. This includes areas like atriums, lobbies, parkades/lots, hallways, laundry rooms, elevators, and exteriors.
I am a tenant in a building and I have to pay for common area utility bills and I’d like to see improved lighting efficiency, but I don’t have the authority to make changes. How can I participate?
The first step is to talk to your building owner. They may be enthusiastic about making the changes as well.
Can I apply on behalf of a client, I’m a lighting company or energy management company?
Yes, you can apply on behalf of your client.
Can I use the audit or assessment I already had done?
Unfortunately, we cannot accept audits or assessments completed by someone else. We need to ensure consistency of data in the information we capture through our assessments. This is why we use the same form and our own, professional assessors.
All of our assessors are experienced energy efficiency professionals. They are hired on contract by Climate Change Central. None of the assessors works for nor represents a particular lighting company.
At this time we aren’t set up for self assessment. We will, however, explore the options for small, remotely located businesses. Email us at lights@climatechangecentral.com to let us know your particular situation.
How long will an assessment take?
Each assessment is individual. The time it takes to complete depends in part on the building type and the total square footage. Exterior assessments will also add additional time for a night visit. Assessments are scheduled for 2 hour, 4 hour, and full day time slots.
Why do I have to get a lighting assessment?
We require this because it allows us to ensure that the changes you make turn into energy savings. The lighting assessments also allow the program to capture general information about lighting used in the commercial building sector in Alberta. We at Climate Change Central are also audited for our programs by our funding partners and so we need to show that the funds are being used appropriately.
How long after requesting an assessment can I expect to receive a call to schedule one?
Because we anticipate a lot of requests for assessments, we aim to call you within 2 weeks of your online assessment request.
How much will my project cost?
The cost of each individual project will depend on the changes you, the applicant, choose to undertake.
The rebate amount is unique to each individual project.
I’m building a new office, can I apply?
Light it Right is currently only available as a retrofit program. All buildings must be occupied for a minimum of 6 months before they can participate.
I’ve already changed my lights, can I still apply for the rebates?
We commend you for taking the initiative to improve the energy efficiency of your building. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide rebates retroactively. All participants in the program must undergo a pre-retrofit lighting assessment as well. Perhaps there are opportunities for additional lighting improvements in your building.
How did you choose the products on your incentive list?
Our rebate list was compiled with the expertise of lighting professionals and energy efficiency experts. We aim to capture the most likely or most common retrofit options, with the intention of pushing energy efficiency beyond the usual upgrades. It is a simple list.
I want to use a product not on your rebate list, do I still qualify?
You must use a product on our rebate list to qualify for a rebate under Light it Right.
How can I add a product to your rebate list?
Our rebate list is set for the term of the program. We won’t be adding new products during the course of the program. We will however, take note of all potential new products in the event the program continues past our current sunset date. Please send a note to lights@climatechangecentral.com to introduce us to your product and we will add it to our list of potential future products.
How were the rebate amounts chosen?
We targeted a rebate of approximately 25% of the average purchase price of a product. Due to rounding the number may be more or less than 25%. Rebates are not based on energy savings, technology preference, or on the technology that the retrofit is replacing.
Are the rebate amounts on New Luminaires based on a per fixture or per lamp basis?
They are calculated per fixture, regardless of the number of lamps in the fixture.
Are the rebate amounts on Lamp plus Ballast retrofit based on a per fixture or per lamp basis?
They are calculated per fixture, regardless of the number of lamps in the fixture.
How long do I have to complete the retrofits and apply for my incentive?
TOnce you have completed an assessment you have 2 months to reserve funds from our program by telling us the changes you plan to make in your retrofit. You have 6 months (from the time you reserve your funds) to complete the retrofits and submit your rebate claim.
How long will it take to receive my rebate cheque?
After you have completed your retrofit and we have received and approved your rebate claim, a cheque will be issued within 8-12 weeks. We anticipate a high volume of rebate claims and each one requires verification and approval.
Can I pick any manufacturer’s products?
As long as the products are part of the approved incentive list of the Light it Right program you may pick any supplier or manufacturer.
How do I find a lighting supply company?
There is a number of lighting supply companies in Alberta. We can’t recommend any one company over another. Both the yellow pages of the phone book and internet searches will provide you with multiple names.
I am a lighting supply company or installer, can I get on a list of approved vendors?
We do not maintain a list of approved vendors or manufacturers. We can’t recommend any one company over another, nor be perceived as endorsing any particular company.
How long is the program running?
Light it Right is currently scheduled to run until December 31, 2011. We will accept claims for completed retrofits until that date, or until such a time that all the rebate dollars are fully subscribed.
How do I find a certified installer?
A qualified electrician, licensed to work in the Province of Alberta can be found through most lighting supply companies and electrical service providers.
Do I require an inspection of my completed project?
The program does not specifically require an inspection, but depending on the amount and complexity of the work you do in your project, your municipality may require an inspection. Please ensure that you confirm these requirements prior to starting your project.
Can I fax in my application and/or incentive claim?
We prefer that you use our online application and upload your documents through the Light it Right website. If this is not a feasible means of application, please contact our call centre directly at 1-888-537-7202.
I have a question not listed here. Can I call someone?
We have a call centre available for you at 1-888-537-7202.
