Small Business Direct Install

Boost your small business with energy-efficient upgrades

Our Small and Medium-Sized Business (SMB) Direct Install Program offers a free energy assessment to identify opportunities for energy-efficient upgrades, along with installation labor rebates to make these improvements more affordable. This program is designed to ease the financial burden on small businesses, allowing you to optimize your energy usage without worrying about the upfront costs. We’ll help make your operations more sustainable — without breaking your budget.

Program Features

NO-COST WALKTHROUGH ENERGY ASSESSMENT
Eligible businesses can qualify for a free energy assessment conducted by an approved OPPD Trade Ally, pinpointing opportunities for energy savings. Businesses that proceed with these recommendations may be eligible for additional rebates to cover both equipment and installation.

REBATES ON LABOR TO INSTALL ENERGY-EFFICIENT EQUIPMENT
This program offers rebates of up to 70% on labor to install energy-efficient equipment, such as HVAC systems, lighting, small building management systems and advanced rooftop unit controller upgrades, helping you implement solutions without excessive upfront costs.

Find more information on rebate amounts and eligible equipment here.

COMPREHENSIVE LEVEL 2 ENERGY AUDIT REBATES
This assessment includes a comprehensive analysis of your electric bills, your energy usage patterns and the performance of your equipment, with the goal of uncovering hidden opportunities for energy savings and cost reduction. The energy-efficient upgrade recommendations are tailored to your operations. By implementing these recommendations, businesses can qualify for additional rebates for both upgrading equipment and for installation.

Please refer to the SMB Direct Install Program Terms and Conditions for eligibility criteria.

OPPD TRADE ALLIES FOR TRUSTED INSTALLATION
Our program utilizes OPPD Trade Allies to ensure your energy assessment and energy-efficient upgrades are installed by qualified professionals. These trusted contractors have extensive experience to ensure high-quality assessment and installation, so you can rest assured that your business will receive reliable service from experts.

TAILORED ENERGY SOLUTIONS
Every business is unique, and so are the solutions. Whether you’re a small café, a retail store or a nonprofit, the energy-efficient recommendations are customized to your needs. From upgrading your lighting to modernizing your HVAC systems and implementing small building management systems or an advanced rooftop unit controller, we help you improve efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

Benefits to Your Business

Improved Energy Efficiency
With the free walkthrough energy assessment, an approved OPPD Trade Ally provides recommendations on equipment upgrades to help improve energy efficiency for your business. Plus, we’ll walk you through the results to help you understand which equipment upgrades will have the most impact.

Cost Savings
Save on your energy bills by implementing recommended energy-efficient upgrades, all while receiving labor rebates to offset the costs. In addition, you are still eligible to claim rebates on your upgraded equipment. These improvements ensure a quick return on investment and long-term savings.

Find more information on equipment upgrades here.

Sustainability
Adopt greener practices without sacrificing your bottom line. Our program supports your environmental goals by helping you reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Streamlined Process
Participating in our program is easy. Our network of specialized Trade Allies handles almost everything — from performing the energy assessment to managing installation and submitting your rebate application. While it may be different experts handling each phase, the entire process is coordinated seamlessly, ensuring you receive all the support you need at every stage.

To Qualify:

Commercial customers MUST be on either Rate 230 or Rate 231 with annual energy demands of 100 kW or below to be eligible for this program.
This rebate must be combined with at least one of the following OPPD Business Rebates:
- Lighting and Lighting Controls
- HVAC/Chiller/Heat Pump
- Advanced Rooftop Unit Controller (ARC)
- Small Building Management System (BMS)
A free energy assessment must be completed and at least one identified energy efficiency measure installed as per recommendation from energy assessment report prior to applying for this rebate.
Customers must work with an OPPD Trade Ally for installation.
Itemized invoices with labor costs are required for this rebate.

Financing Options:

Do you need financing assistance in your upgrades? Learn about the SMB Energy-Saving Loan here.

Get Started Today!

Take control of your energy usage and start saving today. Sign up for your free energy assessment with the form below and let us help your efforts to implement energy-efficient upgrades, reduce bill costs and create a sustainable future for your business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Check out the FAQs below or fill out the form above to contact an expert.

What businesses are eligible for the SMB Direct Install Rebate Program?

To be eligible for the SMB Direct Install Rebate Program, your business must be a commercial customer on Rate 230 or Rate 231, with an annual peak demand equal to or less than 100kW. For more detailed eligibility criteria, please refer to the program’s Terms & Conditions.

What rebates are offered in the SMB Direct Install Program?

The SMB Direct Install Program offers rebates on installation labor costs for energy-efficient upgrades, based on the recommendations made by the energy auditor during the free energy assessment. These upgrades may include the small building management system, HVAC improvements, lighting enhancements and advanced rooftop unit controller.

Additionally, small businesses can also receive rebates for a comprehensive Level 2 energy assessment, which provides a deeper evaluation of energy usage and identifies further cost-saving opportunities. A free energy assessment must be completed, and customer would need to sign a customer agreement for installation to receive this rebate.

For more detailed information on rebate items, please refer to the labor rebate list for qualified energy-efficient equipment upgrades and the Terms & Conditions for the rebates’ eligibility and requirements.

Can my business still receive business equipment rebates if we receive a rebate for SMB Direct Install Program?

Yes, businesses that meet the eligibility of SMB Direct Install Rebate Program are eligible for the Business Rebates on energy-efficient equipment/prescriptive rebate. In fact, this program is a bundle program for Business prescriptive rebates. Please refer to the Terms & Conditions for more information.

What is the process for applying for a rebate through this program?

First, simply fill out the request form above to schedule your free energy assessment. Please note that the service address is the address that you would like to have the free energy walkthrough.

If you’re eligible, you will receive an email from us, and an approved Trade Ally will reach out to you to arrange a convenient time for a free energy walkthrough to identify potential energy-efficient upgrades.

After the assessment, you’ll receive a detailed report with recommendations for energy-efficient equipment, along with a brochure that includes a link to our Trade Ally list—qualified professionals who can perform the installation work.

You can choose a contractor from the Trade Ally list, or we can suggest a Trade Ally to assist with your installation plan.

Your chosen Trade Ally will work with you to finalize the installation plan and provide a quote. Once the installation is complete, your Trade Ally will handle the rebate application for you.

Does the program subject to a budget limit?

Yes, the SMB Direct Install Rebate Program is subject to available program funding. Once the allocated budget is exhausted, the program will close for the year. We encourage businesses to apply early to ensure they can take advantage of the rebates while funding is still available.

How many premises can qualify for the rebate under one business account?

The program limits rebates to a maximum of three premises per account ID. This applies to business owners, brand owners, national chains, and franchises. If you have more than three locations, you may still participate, but rebates will only be available for up to three premises.

What happens if my business decides not to implement the recommendations after the energy assessment?

Participation is flexible. After the energy assessment, you have the option to proceed or not with the recommended upgrades. There is no obligation to move forward, but rebates and financial support will only apply if the recommendations are implemented.

Can I choose my own contractor for installation, or do I have to use a Trade Ally?

To qualify for rebates under the SMB Direct Install Rebate Program, you must use one of our approved Trade Allies. These professionals are experienced in energy-efficient installations and will ensure that all work meets the program's standards for quality and compliance. Your contractor can apply to be an OPPD Trade Ally via an online application on the OPPD website. Please refer to the Trade Ally hub for more details and requirements.

Can my business participate in the program if we lease or rent our building?

Yes, businesses that lease their premises can still participate in the program. As long as you meet the eligibility criteria (being on rate 230 or rate 231 and have an annual peak demand equal to or less than 100kW), you can benefit from the energy assessment and rebates, whether you own or lease the property. However, it's essential to ensure your landlord approves any energy-efficient upgrades.

Don't see your question listed above?

If you have other questions about OPPD's rebate programs, email BusinessRebates@oppd.com.