When building a new home, or even upgrading an existing one, choosing the right HVAC system is a crucial step.
For many homeowners, this choice includes a couple major elements: energy efficiency and affordability. Combined, these help make up what HVAC system is most appropriate for a home.
In an effort to make the most energy efficient HVAC systems more affordable for the average homeowner, there has been a rise in HVAC system rebates and incentives. These government programs help encourage environmentally friendly home heating and cooling choices.
This blog will discuss the benefits of rebates and incentives for HVAC systems and provide information about the most common programs available in Canada. We will also detail how you can prepare your home for the programs.
Do not hesitate to reach out for any of your HVAC needs, including information on choosing the right HVAC system for your home. Our experienced team of HVAC technicians is one phone call or email away, so don’t be afraid to reach out.
Rebates and incentive programs for HVAC systems are specifically designed to encourage more people to invest in high quality HVAC systems. Specifically, they often encourage the use of energy efficient HVAC systems.
Here are details on the top 5 benefits homeowners can expect from rebates and incentives for HVAC systems:
The immediate benefit of capitalizing on rebates and incentives for HVAC systems is, of course, that you receive money back on your purchase of qualifying HVAC equipment. The cost savings can help make more energy efficient HVAC systems more affordable for the average household. The result opens up a multitude of other benefits down the line.
Another incredible benefit homeowners can realize through HVAC rebates and incentives are cost savings over time. Specifically, homeowners can enjoy lower utility bills thanks to the quality of equipment they are able to purchase due to the rebates and incentives. Cost savings on upgrades may also be available through some incentive programs.
One of the major goals for government HVAC rebate and incentive programs is to make energy efficiency more accessible. Thus, the eligible HVAC equipment is more energy efficient than others. The increased energy efficiency is often a trigger for another benefit in the home: cost savings from lower energy bills.
HVAC rebates and incentive programs, as they allow homeowners to purchase quality HVAC systems, can also help boost the comfort and safety of the home. Thus, homeowners can experience consistent temperatures in their home throughout the year, whether it be cool in the summer or warm in the winter.
The HVAC systems that are eligible for rebates and incentives typically do a wonderful job at helping lower the average individual’s carbon footprint. While this particular benefit is not as immediate or visible, it still has a significant impact on the environment as a whole. This is especially the case as more and more people purchase qualifying HVAC equipment and engage with the rebates and incentive programs.
Of course, once you know the benefits of rebates and incentives for HVAC systems, it is only a matter of time before you begin searching for a program that you might qualify for.
To that end, here is some information on the most common HVAC system rebates and incentives available within Canada:
The Canada Greener Homes Initiative offers grants and loans for eligible home retrofits and EnerGuide evaluations.
Eligible retrofits for this program include:
Grants in this program range from $125 to $5,000, and participants can also receive up to $600 towards the cost of their pre- and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation. The evaluation is mandatory to be eligible for the grant. Eligible major home retrofits can also receive up to $40,000 in interest-free loans with a 10-year repayment term.
Enbridge Gas has partnered with Canada’s Greener Home Grant to provide a selection of rebates for eligible home retrofits. This is known as the Home Efficiency Rebate Plus Program and is designed to help Ontario residents save energy in their homes, including those who currently use natural gas. Enhanced rebates of up to $10,000 and an additional $600 for the EnerGuide home evaluation are available through this program.
Steps of the Home Efficiency Rebate Plus program include:
The Clean Home Heating Initiative is brought to Enbridge Gas customers through a partnership between Enbridge Gas and the Government of Ontario. The Clean Home Heating Initiative offers up to $4,500 for the installation of an air-source heat pump unit that has smart controls. The heat pump is paired alongside a condensing natural gas furnace to create a hybrid heating system. This system switches between energy sources for efficiency.
This initiative is available in specific locations. These locations are:
Besides being an Enbridge Gas customer residing in one of the specified locations, other eligibility requirements include:
Maximizing your chances of successfully receiving a rebate or other financial incentive from your chosen program requires some preparation.
Here are the 4 key tips you need to know to help:
Calling a licensed HVAC technician should be one of the first things you should do when you are trying to receive a rebate or incentive for your HVAC system. In fact, they should be the first call you make as soon as you decide to go down this route.
HVAC technicians can do several things for you to help, including:
Once you have called an HVAC technician, you should prepare your HVAC system for inspection.
Some of the things you will want to do for this include:
You should also make note of unusual noises and smells and write down details of broken or damaged components.
If you have any specific rebates or incentives in mind before the appointment, you may also wish to write notes on those so you remember to ask your HVAC technician questions when the time comes.
Once you and your HVAC technician determine what HVAC system will allow you to take advantage of a rebate or incentive, including whether you are purchasing a new system or simply making energy efficient upgrades to your existing one, it is time to put the plan into action. Specifically, you now need to make the necessary upgrades or purchases to meet the requirements outline in your chosen HVAC rebate or incentive program.
In some cases, you may need to have an energy audit or home energy assessment done as part of your path to obtaining an HVAC system rebate or incentive. This may happen before installing the new system or making upgrades – as it can help identify the most effective upgrades and system for your needs – or after the changes have been made.
When an energy audit is conducted after upgrades or the purchase of a new system, it is done to ensure the HVAC system is operating at the level the rebate program requires.
Ultimately, successfully obtaining a rebate or incentive for an HVAC system in your home starts with evaluating your needs. Calling a licensed HVAC technician can help provide the details you need on what HVAC systems would be appropriate for your home. They can also give their recommendation on what rebate or incentive program would work for you and the HVAC system you are upgrading or installing.
Do not hesitate to reach out for any of your HVAC needs, including information on choosing the right HVAC system for your home. Our experienced team of HVAC technicians is one phone call or email away, so don’t be afraid to reach out.
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