PETERBOROUGH-The Ontario government is providing up to $4.5 million through the Clean Home Heating Initiative to bring hybrid heating to up to 1,000 households in Peterborough, St. Catharines, London and Sault Ste. Marie.
The Clean Home Heating Initiative will support the installation of electric heat pumps with smart controls by providing homeowners with incentives of up to $4,500 according to the province.
“Switching to hybrid heating could save homeowners up to $80 dollars every year on energy bills – an annual saving that would increase over time – and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 30 per cent,” said Todd Smith, Minister of Energy. “Investing in these types of transformative energy models is how we are building a pathway to a clean energy future that will protect the environment and keep costs down, all while creating new high-quality jobs across the province.”
The Clean Home Heating Initiative, in collaboration with Enbridge, will allow households to leverage Ontario’s electricity grid, which the government says is more than 90 per cent emissions-free. Electric heat pumps replace existing air conditioners in the summer but can also operate in reverse in cooler seasons to provide home heating. Officials say with the addition of smart controls, a hybrid heating system automatically switches to a home’s existing natural gas furnace depending on weather and which source is least expensive.
“The Clean Home Heating Initiative is a great opportunity for homeowners to do their part to reduce household greenhouse gas emissions, promote energy conservation, and address the impacts of climate change,” said St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik. “Thank you to Minister Smith, Premier Ford and the provincial government, as well as the partners at Enbridge for providing opportunities to invest in more affordable energy-efficient solutions that assist in carbon reduction.”
It is hoped the Clean Home Heating Initiative will also support Ontario’s economy by creating jobs and building capacity in the skilled trades, including the province’s Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry, and local Ontario-based suppliers.
“A hybrid heating system can reduce a home’s greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 30 per cent a year while increasing the flexibility and reliability of its heating system,” says Sarah Van Der Paelt, Director of Marketing and Energy Conservation at Enbridge Gas. “We appreciate the support from the Provincial Government, the four participating cities and the electricity sector for supporting this program and its ongoing commitment to energy efficiency and carbon reduction measures. Together, we are working towards a cleaner energy future.
Residents in St. Catharines, London, Peterborough, and Sault Ste. Marie interested in participating in the Clean Home Heating Initiative can visit Enbridge’s website to learn more.