Everything You Need to Know About Home Energy Rebates in Ontario
December 11, 2015
In Ontario, home energy rebates are a win-win proposition. As a province, Ontario benefits from large-scale energy efficiencies, while capitalizing on reduced energy consumption. For the typical homeowner, energy rebates make for affordable retrofit projects and for substantial savings on utility bills throughout the year. In many cases, energy rebates are significant to the point that the original upfront project investment is made well worthwhile.
GreenON Rebates can help to offset energy upgrades
Ontario property owners can now apply for GreenON Rebates when improving energy efficiency in the home. Significant rebates are available when upgrading insulation throughout the home, and with up to $7,200 available, these rebates can help to offset the upfront cost of upgrades.
In an effort to promote energy efficiency across the province, GreenON Rebates allow property owners to benefit from a better-insulated building. In fact, a better-insulated building can reduce heating and cooling cost by 15% or more. And year after year, the savings build up substantially.
GreenON Rebates are made available when an approved contractor undertakes an eligible energy upgrade. Upgrades can be made to a detached home, a semi-detached home, or a townhouse. Also available to those who rent, written permission from the landlord is required in order to qualify.
When purchasing and installing home insulation, up to $7,200 is available in rebates. Insulation upgrades can be undertaken in the attic, in the basement, in the exterior walls, or a combination.
1. Up to $1,500 for attic insulation improvement
2. Up to $1,900 for basement insulation upgrades
3. Up to $3,800 for exterior wall insulation work
The Home Energy Loan Program from the City of Toronto
The Home Energy Loan Program is a financing initiative designed to encourage homeowners to improve energy efficiencies in the home. The ultimate aim, of course, is to save money on lower utility bills. Depending on the scope of the project, energy rebates are available for such things as replacing an old furnace unit, or upgrading a home's insulation. Both of these will contribute to improved energy consumption and reduced energy bills. For many, an initial project investment can be prohibitive. Here, the HELP initiative can offer loans (at low interest rates) to get a project off the ground. With HELP, funding is made available, and repayment is easily amortized through installment payments on the Property Tax Bill. When work is completed, the annual savings from the retrofit work will offset the original project cost, while ensuring manageable installment repayments.
The Home Renovation Rebate Program from Union Gas Company
Unlike some of the more cosmetic home improvements, energy efficiency upgrades create value and savings. As such, Union Gas offers some valuable rebates for homeowners who are interested in doing "energy smart upgrades". Depending on the scope of the project, rebates are available to offset the cost of renovation. For the homeowner, the energy savings from season to season are significant, while the home enjoys added value as an "energy efficient" real estate property. The Home Renovation Rebate Program has a number of pre-requisites. Firstly, a Certified Energy Advisor performs an energy assessment. From this, two renovation options must be expedited, with work performed by an approved professional contractor. With renovations complete, a post-renovation assessment is undertaken and the rebate is processed. For those who properly qualify, the benefits are greater than other home improvements (both short term and long). Home energy consumption, and home energy efficiency is at the forefront across Canada. And in the province of Ontario, many incentive opportunities are available for homeowners. For the most part, the efforts are focused on promoting better energy usage and generating cost savings.
Union Gas offers up to $5000 in home reno incentives
The Home Reno Rebate Program from Union Gas is an incentive program for property owners who make “energy smart upgrades”. Significant rebates are offered to offset the investment cost of the upgrades so that property owners may complete retrofits that are beyond their budget.
Rebates of up to $5,000 are available for a variety of eligible energy retrofits. Best of all, with a professional retrofit, annual utility bills can be dramatically reduced. In fact, an energy-efficient home can provide utility savings over the long-term that actually “pay off” the cost of upgrades.
To get things going, a Certified Energy Advisor is required to do a pre-reno evaluation. This will highlight various upgrades that could be made to improve energy efficiency. In terms of actual reno work, property owners must make at least two renovations from a prescribed list.
To ensure eligibility for the Home Reno Rebate Program, Union Gas has some pre-qualifications.
- homes must be heated with oil, gas, or propane
- heating with a wood burning stove is eligible
- a home has to be detached; semi- detached; or a townhome
To apply for the Home Reno Rebate Program, an applicant must be a Union Gas customer or reside in the franchise area; be a customer with Kitchener Utility or reside in the area; be a customer with Utilities Kingston or reside in the area; or a Natural Resources Gas customer or reside in the area.
Ontario SAVE-ON-ENERGY Program: Heating and Cooling Incentives
In Ontario, heating and cooling costs contribute to 60% of a home's energy usage. It therefore makes economic sense to enhance the energy-efficiency of the home's HVAC equipment. Here, the incentives will vary on the scope of work performed.
Homeowners in Ontario can capitalize on a range of rebates and incentives when making energy upgrades in the home. From attic to basement, the more upgrades that are made, the more rebate dollars available. However the home is heated and cooled, every upgrade will lower utility bills.
Homeowners must have their home assessed by a certified home energy professional. This is followed by retrofit recommendations designed to reduce energy consumption. Here, thousands of dollars in incentives are offered to homeowners who make at least two qualifying upgrades.
Property owners can choose from such upgrades as furnace replacement, window retrofits, and insulation installation. In fact, homeowners can also take advantage of significant dollar rebates on ENERGY STAR® appliances (and even replacement of the central air conditioning system).
The SAVE-ON-ENERGY Program is simple to implement. First, homeowners contact a Certified Energy Advisor to assess the property. After assessment, the Advisor makes specific upgrade recommendations. And finally, after upgrading, a post-assessment allows for receipt of rebates.
PEAKSAVER PLUS® - Managing Electricity Usage
In conjunction with local electric utility providers, the PEAKSAVER PLUS® program allows the homeowner to better manage electricity use all year. An in-home Energy Display Unit (FREE) helps to see how and when electricity is being used.
Home Energy Conservation Program from Enbridge
The Home Energy Conservation Program (through Enbridge Gas Distribution) offers up to $2,000 to homeowners who reside in York Region; City of Toronto and GTA; and selected areas in Peel, Durham, Ottawa, and Niagara. Essentially, the program is aimed at improving energy efficiency.
Enbridge is focused on helping customers to reduce natural gas consumption. As such, making energy upgrades will improve energy efficiency, reduce consumption, and thus lessen annual utility bills. Eligible customers follow a step-by-step process that’s easy to follow and implement.
With the Home Energy Conservation Program, homeowners undertake specific energy retrofits that are assessed when completed. This allows for real-life results to be measured, and to clearly indicate the positive changes that effective energy retrofits can make in a residential home.
To qualify, a homeowner must be an Enbridge customer, and the Enbridge account must be in good standing. The home’s main heating source must be natural gas, and homeowners must live in a qualifying Enbridge community. Homeowners must contract a Certified Energy Auditor.
Under the Home Energy Conservation Program, at least two upgrades must be implemented
- installing or adding new attic insulation
- air sealing (with specific requirements)
- installing new basement wall insulation
- installing a new heat recovery system
ONTARIO MINISTRY OF ENERGY - Incentives Guide
There are many energy-related programs available from the Ontario Government. The aim is to promote energy awareness and energy conservation. Many rebates and incentives are offered in collaboration with electricity and natural gas utilities.
