Did you know there are 48 Ontario energy rebates in this year that can save you hundreds (or thousands!) of dollars on your energy bill – and do your part for the environment, to boot!

Who knew you could get paid for doing good? Whether you’re interested in making big changes, such a whole home renovation, or just a few smaller ones such as switching out your light bulbs, you’re sure to find something for you in all these Ontario energy programs!

Ontario has a program for everything somewhere: heating, cooling, water conservation, you name it! There are programs for homeowners and nonhomeowners, low-income families and mid-income families, seniors, and more.

Start your journey to energy efficiency right here by picking out some programs that work for you, and don’t forget to read all the way to the end to learn about some tips on how you can save more money on your hydro bill.

Ontario Energy Rebates for Seniors

Ontario Renovates for Seniors

This program, funded by both the federal and provincial governments, provides forgivable loans to low-income seniors and those with a disability to help them bring their homes up to an acceptable standard of health and safety, as well as accessibility.

Though the program isn’t specifically for energy-efficient upgrades, they do point out that energy-efficient products must be used in the renovations and repairs, so if you need repairs done for health, safety, or accessibility, take advantage of this program as an all-in-one solution. 

Go to your community’s website to learn more about the program in your area or to apply. Here is a small list of areas to help you out:

Brantford	Greater Sudbury	Ottawa
County of Brant	Grey County	Region of Peel
Chatham-Kent	Hamilton	Renfrew County
Cornwall	Huron County	Sault Ste. Marie
District of Timiskaming	Kingston-Frontenac	Simcoe County
District of Muskoka	Leeds & Grenville	Thunder Bay
District of Parry Sound	Lennox & Addington	Toronto
Dufferin	London	Waterloo
Essex County	Manitoulin-Sudbury	Windsor
United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry

Ontario Energy Rebates for Low-Income Households

Ontario Renovates for Low Income Households

This program offers forgivable loans up to $15,000 to households occupied by those with a low income, seniors, and people with disabilities who need to repair their homes to bring them up to health and safety minimums. Eligibility requirements vary by district.

While the program doesn’t specifically provide renovation funds for energy efficiency, they do encourage the use and installation of energy-efficient products.

Therefore, if you qualify and you have repairs that do need to be done for the sake of health and safety—or accessibility—then you can take advantage of this program to cover all your bases: health, safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency. 

The maximum forgivable loan amount varies by municipality, and up to $25,000 is available to those wishing to create or renovate a secondary suite.

To apply, simply go to your municipality’s website and fill out the form, or give them a call at the number provided on the website. Below is a short list of areas to get you started:

Brantford	Greater Sudbury	Ottawa
County of Brant	Grey County	Region of Peel
Chatham-Kent	Hamilton	Renfrew County
Cornwall	Huron County	Sault Ste. Marie
District of Timiskaming	Kingston-Frontenac	Simcoe County
District of Muskoka	Leeds & Grenville	Thunder Bay
District of Parry Sound	Lennox & Addington	Toronto
Dufferin	London	Waterloo
Essex County	Manitoulin-Sudbury	Windsor
United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry

Ontario Electricity Support Program

This program, funded by the Ontario Energy Board and administered through your local utility company, can help you pay your electricity bill. If you are the electricity account holder, you live in the home applying for assistance, and your household income is below the allowable threshold, you could receive a credit of $30 to $50 on your electricity bill.

For example, your income must be less than $48,000 (after taxes for everyone who lives in the house for more than 6 months per year) if you have a family of 4. But if you use additional electricity for medical reasons such as running a kidney dialysis machine, you could receive a larger credit, so be sure to let your utility company know if this is the case for you.

If you qualify, you will have to reapply every 2 years though, unless you are over 65 or receiving CPP disability benefits, in which case you only have to reapply every 5 years.

To apply, just download the application form. Then print and sign the consent form and send it to the address on the form. If you prefer, you can contact an OESP Centre (1 [855] 831-8151) and they will mail you an application form. 

Make sure you have your electricity bill account number, service address, and account holder details; the birthdates and names of all residents in your home; and social insurance numbers or temporary tax numbers for tax-filing household members.

The Ontario Native Welfare Administrators Association (ONWAA) is also available to assist Indigenous households with their applications. Indigenous households can call ONWAA at 1 (844) 885-3157 or email them to confirm their availability.

Low-income Energy Assistance Program

Did you know there are special rules that utility companies in Ontario have to follow when it comes to low-income households? This program, funded by the Ontario Energy Board and administered by all local utility companies ensures those rules are followed and everyone has reasonable access to electricity.

As part of that, this program can give you one-time emergency relief if you’re going through a rough time right now and just need a leg up to get that electricity bill paid, provided you’ve received a disconnection notice.

If this sounds like you, you could qualify for a one-time emergency payment of up to $500 to pay that bill off and keep your power on. You could get up to $600 if your home is electrically heated.

Here’s a few other ways this program can work for you:

• Have the security deposit waived upon connection
• Ask for any security deposit you paid back
• Ask for a disconnection grace period of up to 21 days
• Be allowed more time to pay outstanding balances

If you think this program could help you, contact your local electricity company or the United Way:

1 (855) 487-5327 [email protected] www.UnitedWayGSC.ca

Save On Energy Home Assistance Program

You could get new appliances and more and have them installed for free if your family has a low-income (for a family of four, your income has to be less than $61,028).

Some other energy-efficient items you could get include everything from lightbulbs to bigger items such as programmable thermostats or window air conditioners.The only catch is this program includes a detailed in-home energy assessment, which is actually a great thing because you get free advice on steps that you can take to save even more energy.

Saving energy means saving money! Just one important note though: while everyone is free to participate, if you’re renting, you have to have your landlord’s permission.

Every electricity company has their own version of this program, so call the IESO at 1-877-797-9473 or your local electricity company to learn more and apply. A couple of these versions are listed below.

Toronto Hydro Home Assistance Program

If you have a modest or low income (a four-person household can have a maximum income of $43,546) and meet a few other qualifications, Toronto Hydro will supply and install energy-efficient upgrades, free of charge, such as a refrigerator, freezer, or lightbulbs—among other things—to help you save money and make your home more comfortable. You’ll even get additional insulation in your attic or basement if it’s needed—for free!

Call the IESO at 1-877-797-9473 for more information or to apply. Social housing providers and building owners/managers can also apply. If the building is eligible, all the tenants will qualify.

Hydro One Home Assistance Program

Every penny counts for most of us, but most especially for those families with a low income. That’s why Hydro One works with Save On Energy to help these folks find ways to save money on their electricity bill.

So if you have an income less than the set threshold (for example, $61,028 for a family of 4), have received a LEAP grant in the last year, or gotten assistance from a qualifying social benefit program, you can take advantage of this program.

But you also need to be a Hydro One customer living in a home less than 3 stories high and less than 600 m2 to qualify with Hydro One. And remember, if you rent, you will need the consent of your landlord.

In just three easy steps, you can be on your way to saving money—every month!

• First you’ll get a visit from a certified energy advisor. They will examine your home for areas that could benefit from some repairs or energy-efficient upgrades. Did I mention the visit is free? They will look at things like the light bulbs you’re using, the age of your appliances, and whether drafts are coming in through your doors, windows, attic, or basement.
• After the inspection, the advisor will install any recommended upgrades at no cost to you or your landlord. One or more of these may be included:a. energy-efficient appliancesb. energy-efficient light bulbsc. low-flow showerheadsd. weatherstrippinge. power barsf. faucet aeratorsg. insulationh. programmable thermostats
• And they’re not done yet! Before they even leave, the advisor will give you more advice on other things you could do yourself to save energy and money and how to get the most of the upgrades they installed for you.

Simply call 1 (877) 797-9473 to apply!

Waterloo Region Energy Assistance Program

Sometimes life just doesn’t go your way and the bills start piling up. No one should have to choose between food and heat (or light), so the Region of Waterloo has a one-time emergency fund that could help you out and maybe even take away a little of that stress.

If you make less than $28,000 after tax (or $28,001 – $39,000 with 3 or more people living in your home, $39,001 – $48,000 with 5 or more people living in your home, or $48,001 to 52,000 with 7 or more people living in your home), you could qualify.

If you receive Ontario Works, just contact your caseworker. If you don’t, call 519-883-2100 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and select Option 1. When you call, try and have some of the following information ready to make the process easier:

• Social insurance number
• Health card number
• Banking information
• Information on assets and income
• Rent or mortgage amount

Enbridge Home Winter Proofing Program

Those who live in older houses—even if you’re the type who loves the charm of an older home—know how much heat and energy they lose through all their little nooks and crannies. And we all know how cold Ontario winters can be, so Enbridge wants to ensure everyone is cozy through the winter.

So those who have a house built before 1980, an income below a set threshold (or you participate in one of Ontario’s social benefit programs for low-income families), and an Enbridge account could have their house winter proofed for free by certified contractors.

Participating in this program could save you 30% off your winter energy bills—and keep saving you money in the longer term. You even get free draft proofing and additional insulation!

All you have to do to enjoy these benefits is complete the online application form or download it and mail it with your proof of income, your last tax assessment or benefit statement, and your gas bill account number to one of the Enbridge service centres. Or, call one of their service centres, but have all your information handy.

Union Gas Home Weatherization Program

Just like the Enbridge program, this one from Union Gas will help you stay warm and healthier through the cold winter months. And a side benefit? Even though the improvements they make through this program are aimed at keeping you warmer in the winter, the same improvements will keep your home cooler in the summer.

Sweet! 

So, if you have a low income (typically for a family of four you should make less than $62,588), a Union Gas account, and a home built before 1975, this program is for you! What do you get? Let’s take a look:

• An energy assessment of your home where a certified advisor examines your attic, wall, and foundation insulation and your heating and ventilation systems
• An inspection for any other energy-efficient upgrades or improvements that could be made
• Free energy-efficient products
• Free installation of any provided energy-efficient items (such as wall, attic, and basement insulation; water-saving items; and a programmable thermostat)
• Free advice about other improvements you could make to save energy
• A post-assessment to check the quality of the improvements that they made and to measure the new energy efficiency of your home

After you apply online, Union Gas will call you to arrange an appointment and send you a hard copy application to fill out and send back via mail or email. 

Make sure you include your supporting documents, which will include a Notice of Assessment from every adult living in the home (or another form of income verification). You’ll also need a signed declaration form from your landlord if you rent.

City of Toronto Emergency Energy Fund

The City of Toronto considers taking care of its most vulnerable residents to be a priority, and in that vein, they’ve created a fund designed to help low-income citizens not receiving Ontario Works or ODSP continue to receive the electricity they need.

This fund helps to reconnect, prevent disconnection, or assist in paying energy arrears for hydro, gas, or oil services, regardless of immigration status. If you’re in a bit of a spot and you qualify—and you’re in arrears or about to be disconnected—apply today. Just call (416) 338-8888.

Provincial 8% Rebate

Ontario has removed the Debt Retirement Charge from residential electricity bills, and this has resulted in an 8% rebate on residents’ hydro bills. The rebate equals a savings of approximately $11/month per household. This was introduced in January 2017, and the rebate is automatically applied to your bill.

Eligible rural residents see an approximate $45 in savings on their bill in a provincial effort to reduce farmers’ expenses.

Ontario Energy Efficiency Rebates

SAVE ON ENERGY HEATING & COOLING INCENTIVES PROGRAM

Every hydro company in Ontario delivers the energy-efficiency programs offered under the Save On Energy umbrella. The first, and the one most likely to save you the most money, is the Heating & Cooling Incentive Program.

Some descriptions of this program administered by the larger hydro companies are listed later in this article.Heating your home is the biggest money sucker on your utility bill. Why not take advantage of this program to not only save money on the purchase of new, energy-efficient heating products but also to save money every single month after that for the life of the product?

For example, if you buy and install a shiny new high-efficiency furnace equipped with an ECM (You even get a $30 rebate on an ECM!), you’ll find yourself with a $250 rebate! You could very well save yourself, on average, $22 on your monthly bill. Add that up over the expected 15-year life span of your new furnace!

Or, if your house is electrically heated, you could also receive up to $4,000 when you purchase a high-efficiency heat pump and $50 off the cost of a smart thermostat. And don’t forget the $600 rebate on a new ENERGY STAR® central air conditioning system.

What could be easier? Jump on this opportunity today because it disappears on December this year. But you still have until February this year, to submit your application form.

To apply, all you have to do is hire a certified contractor to buy and install your new furnace. They’ll submit the application for you. After that, you’ll get an email for your review and approval. Once you send your approval along with your receipt, then you’ll get your rebate in 8 to 12 weeks.

Don’t know what utility company offers this program in your community? Enter your postal code here to find out. 

And know that you can’t participate in The Home Reno Rebate program from Union Gas or the Home Energy Conservation Program from Enbridge (both of which are discussed later) and still be eligible for the Save On Heating and Cooling Incentive program.

This program is meant to help with individual purchases rather than whole renovation or retrofit programs.

SAVE ON ENERGY WHOLE HOME PROGRAM

The Whole Home Program is an energy- and money-saving program created to allow all Ontario homeowners to benefit from a wide range of rebates.

Truly, why not receive thousands of dollars in incentives to make upgrades throughout your entire house, use less energy, and save money? Get money back for saving the planet and your bank account? Yes please!

The first step is to get an energy assessment done on your home. It only takes about 2 hours. While it is a requirement of the program, it also helps you learn the best ways to reduce your energy use, such as replacing your furnace, replacing windows, or installing new or more insulation.

The second step is to finish the recommended upgrades, whether you hire someone for all of them or just for the ones that need a certified contractor. Finishing 2 or more upgrades—such as replacing your current refrigerator with an ENERGY STAR® refrigerator and getting $75 in your pocket for it—through this program will result in you receiving even more great rebates.

But, since the more you upgrade with this program, the more you save, so why not upgrade a few more items that could save you money?

Different rebates are offered in different areas through different operators, so enter your postal code here to find out what’s being offered in your area, or to determine what utility company offers this program in your area.

The final step is to have your post-assessment done. This one will only take about an hour. Then you’ll get a Natural Resource Canada energy rating and your rebates!Again, you can’t participate in The Home Reno Rebate program from Union Gas or the Home Energy Conservation Program from Enbridge and still be eligible for this program. 

Save On Energy Poolsaver™ Program

You may not have thought you could save money with your pool, but Save On Energy did!

As hot and humid as it can get during a typical Ontario summer, many homes rely on their family pool to keep them cool, as expensive as they can be to run and maintain.

This program could save you a bundle this summer though. Did you know that something as simple as a variable-speed pool pump, rather than a constant-speed pump, can save you $1,000 in just 3 years?

And Save On Energy makes it more affordable than ever to switch by giving you $400 back when you buy one!

All you have to do to jump on this program is hire a certified vendor. They’ll help you choose the right model for you and then they’ll install it for you. You’ll receive your rebate immediately, right on your invoice! What could be easier?

This program is available through many major hydro companies throughout the province:

Burlington Hydro	Energy + Inc.	Halton Hills Hydro
Hydro One	Hydro Ottawa	Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro
Milton Hydro	Oakville Hydro	Renfrew County
Toronto Hydro	Veridian Connections	Waterloo North Hydro
Whitby Hydro

ENBRIDGE HOME CONSERVATION PROGRAM

This program, offered and administered by Enbridge, is designed to help you make your entire home work to save you money. Like the Save On Energy Whole Home program, a home assessment is a required component so you can reap the benefits of all the upgrades and rebates included in this program. All you have to do is book an appointment with a certified energy advisor to get started.

Once your advisor has examined your home, they will recommend the best energy-efficient measure(s) for you. For example, perhaps you need more or better insulation. You could get anywhere from $250 to $1,750 back, depending on the type and location of the insulation you install.

Or maybe you could benefit from a new furnace. This program will give you $1,000 rebate for replacing a furnace that meets these eligibility requirements:

• Less than 95% AFUE natural gas, propane, or oil furnace
• 89% or less AFUE natural gas, propane, or oil boiler with a 95% or higher AFUE condensing natural gas, propane, or oil furnace
• 90% or higher AFUE condensing natural gas, propane, or oil boiler

An additional $2,100 could be yours for retrofitting, and you could even qualify for up to $5,000 for installing 2 or more eligible measures and completing the pre-energy audit if you are a qualified homeowner.

And there are additional incentives available as well, such as rebates for installing smart thermostats (see below). 

UNION GAS HOME RENO REBATE

Have you been thinking of tackling an energy-efficient renovation project before another cold winter comes blowing in? Now is a great time to do just that with the rebates offered by the Union Gas Home Reno Program!

Get $1,000 back when you upgrade to a new, more energy-efficient furnace or up to $1,750 for installing new insulation. Perhaps $500 for a water heater, $80 each for new windows and doors, or $75 for energy-efficient appliances sounds good? And that’s not all this program offers.

You could get a total of $5,000 (or up to $5,800 when you install an air-source heat-pump system) if you meet certain requirements, which include having an energy assessment conducted on your home before and after your renovations. 

If having a home energy assessment sounds like just an extra, nuisance step, think again. It’s actually a great way to learn new ways for you to save money—and help the environment by saving energy!

It’s easy to qualify for this program if you live in area served by Union Gas. If you own a detached, semi-detached, town house, or mobile home heated by natural gas, oil, propane, electricity, or wood, you’re in business. Just know that you have to complete two recommended upgrades to get the rebates.

To apply, simply enter your postal code to find a list of approved energy advisors. Once you book an appointment, you can apply for your rebates. Keep reading for all the available Union Gas rebates!

Union Gas Heating System Rebate Program

Heating your home takes up the largest chunk on your energy bill, so it makes sense that biggest energy- and money-saving change you could make is to upgrade your current furnace or boiler.

The Heating System Rebate program can take the sting out of it if you act now and your home is heated with oil, propane, or natural gas.

Provided you buy a qualifying model, this program will get you a rebate of $1,000 when you buy an upgraded furnace or boiler. The best way to know what model qualifies and is the best for you is to simply ask the advisor that conducted your home energy assessment.

If you’d like to read about them for yourself, check out this list of equipment eligibility requirements. So you’ll save money on your purchase and save money while your purchase saves you energy!

Not only is the rebate a great money saver, and also easy to take advantage of. Your energy advisor will take care of everything for you, from giving you advice to filling out your rebate application. So after your pre- and post-assessments are complete and your chosen models are purchased and installed, you’ll get your rebates!

Good news: this rebate qualifies you for additional rebates when you make 2 or more eligible upgrades. If you make these extra upgrades, you’ll get another $250 back!

Wood Burning Heating System Rebate Program

Has your current wood-burning system seen better days? Ready for an upgrade but not quite ready to ditch the wood? Don’t worry, you can still upgrade to a more efficient system without giving up the wood or the rebate.

Now upgrading to a more energy-efficient model is a lot more cost effective because the Wood-Burning Heating System program gives you $750 back when you buy an eligible model. Check out the list of qualifications here.

And yet…should you be ready to cut out the wood, your other option is to switch out your old wood-burning system with a new, qualifying condensing propane, natural gas, or oil furnace or boiler. Trying out something new will get you $1,000 back!

Your advisor will give you all the information you need to make the best decision, help you decide on the options, and take care of the application for you. Your only job is to make the decisions and accept the money in your wallet!

This program also qualifies you for the additional $250 rebate when you make more than two upgrades.

Air Source Heat Pump Rebate Program

If your home is heated electrically, consider taking advantage of Union Gas’s rebate of up to $5,800 when you buy a qualifying air source heat pump (ASHP) after your home energy assessment as part of your eligible upgrades.

Don’t worry about having learn everything about ASHPs because your advisor will recommend the best model for your needs and wallet and will also fill out and send in the rebate form for you. The amount you could get back could be anywhere from $1,900 when you buy a ductless ASHP (single head, electric baseboard, no air conditioning) to $5,800 for a ductless ASHP (cold climate multiple head).

While you can’t combine this rebate with another heating system rebate, your ASHP purchase thankfully doesn’t count towards the $5,000 rebate maximum, so you actually end up getting as much as $10,800 back all together if you go with a new ASHP plus all the other required upgrades.

Again, remember the $250 bonus (doors/windows/skylights or insulation and sealing) if you make more than 2 qualifying upgrades!

Union Gas – Additional Rebates to Qualify for the $250 Rebate

So now you’ve finished your home assessment and you’re an expert in all things energy efficient. And you’ve also made an energy-saving upgrade. Why stop there? Take that excitement and money you’ve saved and make some more upgrades. Watch your monthly bill drop even more!

How about upgrading your insulation? Especially if you live in an older home, the chances are good that you don’t have enough insulation and it’s probably not installed everywhere it should be.

Perhaps your energy advisor already enlightened you? Well why not upgrade your insulation now while you still get some money back for doing so? The amount you get back will depend on the resulting R-value and where you install your insulation, but you can look forward to anywhere from $250 to $1,750.

Or do a little extra air sealing and see yourself with an additional $100 to $150 back. What about that old water heater of yours? It’s probably just faded into the background and become part of the woodwork over the years. Getting yourself a nice, new water heater will save you energy, money on your monthly bill, and $500!Could be you need some new windows or doors and you just kept putting it off because you dreaded the cost? Now’s the time to take care of them because you’ll get back $80 for each unit. Skylights qualify too if that interests you. Make sure they’re ENERGY STAR® Zone 2 or 3 qualified though!

I hate to tell you this, but the above rebates are only for homes heated with natural gas, oil, or propane. Your home isn’t heated with natural gas, propane, or oil? Don’t worry! If your house is heated electrically instead, many of the upgrades are still available for you too. Get $250 to $1,750 for additional insulation, $100 to $150 extra air sealing, and the $80 per unit for ENERGY STAR® Zone 2 or 3 qualified windows, doors, or skylights.

You can even nab yourself the same savings if you use a wood-burning system. $250 to $1,750 for insulation, $100 to $150 for air sealing, and $80 per unit for ENERGY STAR® Zone 2 or 3 qualified windows, doors, or skylights. And as with those homes heated by natural gas and such, you’ll also get the $500 rebate for upgrading your old water heater.

And hey, you don’t have to do anything…your energy advisor will fill out and send in the application forms for you! So why not?

Union Gas Additional Available Rebates

Would you believe that Union Gas isn’t done with the rebates yet?

Not by a long shot. These rebates don’t qualify you for the additional $250 rebate, but they also don’t count towards the $5,000 maximum rebate either, so they’re worth looking into.The rebates are seemingly endless for homes heated with oil, natural gas, or propane.

Banish the summer heat with an ENERGY STAR® window air conditioner ($25), an ENERGY STAR®-qualified central air conditioner, and an upgraded ENERGY STAR® dehumidifier ($30). And stop spending too much on your energy bill by upgrading to new ENERGY STAR® refrigerators, freezer, and washing machines ($75).

A new furnace with an electrically commutated motor (ECM) will get you $250, and an ASHP will get you $500. Whew! And homes heated with wood also have access to these same rebates.

Just like all the other rebate programs, that wonderful certified energy advisor of yours will tell you what improvements and upgrades you should make, let you know what models qualify, which ones are best for your needs, and fill out the rebate form.

Toronto Hydro Heating & Cooling Incentives

This program is funded by Save On Energy and includes the e xact same details. Take advantage of it now to cool your home for less this summer and be prepared for the cold bite of winter that you know is coming!

Buy an eligible high?efficiency central air conditioner and get a $600 rebate—and use up to 20% less electricity. That’ll pay itself back quickly!

And when you install a high-efficiency furnace, you could get a $250 rebate, but the model you choose to purchase must be equipped with an ECM.

You could even get an additional $30 back when you upgrade your hydronic pump with a new, more efficient one equipped with a variable?speed ECM. Make sure it’s installed on an existing hydronic heating system, not a domestic hot water heater to qualify.You and your electricity bill will be happy you upgraded to new, energy-efficient systems—and so will the planet. This program ends December, and your application form must be received by February, so get started today!

All you need to do is hire a contractor to buy and install your air conditioner, furnace, and/or hydronic pump and they will fill out and send the application in for you. Then you’ll get an email for your review, and all you need to do is send your approval of the email along with your receipt and sit back and wait for your money!

Additional Toronto Hydro Rebates

Smart Thermostat

Reduce your energy usage and your electricity bill with a smart thermostat. You can buy and install it yourself and get yourself $100 back on your bill when you do! These handy little tools will even tell you when it’s time to change your filter.

Because Toronto Hydro operates this program in cooperation with Enbridge Gas, when you buy and install an eligible thermostat, your on-bill credit will appear on your Enbridge Gas bill unless you have central air conditioning, in which case, half the credit will appear on your Toronto Hydro bill and half will appear on your Enbridge Gas bill.

If your single family home is primarily heated with natural gas and you have an Enbridge Gas account in good standing, just fill out the application form and wait for the credit to appear on your bill.

New Construction Program

• $3 per unit for lighting control products with hard-wired indoor and outdoor timers, motion sensors, and hard-wired dimmer switches
• $3 to $10 per unit for hard-wired ENERGY STAR®-certified indoor light fixtures ($3 for 1 or 2 sockets or $10 for 3 or more sockets)
• $5 for each ENERGY STAR®-certified light bulb, eligible recessed lighting, under-the-counter lighting, and LED lighting

• $30 for an ENERGY STAR®-certified central air conditioner
• $50 for a master all-off switch that controls all electrical sockets in the house (hard-wired)

The third path could be for you if you find neither the performance nor the prescriptive paths work for you. The Customized Incentive path is exactly what it sounds like: it’s a custom incentive designed to suit your needs and still ensure your new home or reno project meets the energy efficiency standards you’re looking for and need to qualify for a rebate.When you have that approval in hand, then you can start the construction. Once it’s complete, download and submit the Final Application Project Worksheet along with your supporting documents for your incentive path.Many, but not all, hydro companies throughout Ontario offer this rebate program, but here are links to a few that do to get you started:

Hydro One	Waterloo North Hydro	Halton Hills Hydro
Burlington Hydro	Oakville Hydro	Greater Sudbury Hydro

Hydro Ottawa Heating & Cooling Incentives

This program is also funded by and identical to the Save On Energy Heating & Cooling Incentives program. If you’re at all interested in saving money—for the life of the products you purchase—and saving energy while still heating and cooling your home, then this is the program for you.

Now that summer is in full swing, I’m sure a shiny new air conditioner sounds like a great idea. Buy a qualifying ENERGY STAR®-certified air conditioner through this program and get yourself $600 back.

And in preparation for that dreaded cold season, buy an eligible high-efficiency furnace equipped with an ECM and get $250 back!

Why stop there when you could also get $30 back when you upgrade to an electronically commuted circulator pump for your boiler (not a domestic hot water heater) and increase your boiler efficiency and energy savings?

Just hire a certified contractor and they will do everything for you, including fill out and submit the application form.

Additional Hydro Ottawa Rebates

Air-Source Heat Pump Rebate

If your home is heated electrically, you could get up to $4,000 when you upgrade your central electric furnace or baseboard heating to an air-source heat pump. This upgrade could potentially save you 50% off your usual home heating costs!

As above, just hire a certified contractor and they will do everything for you, including fill out and submit the application form. But hurry, this program ends December 31, 2018, and your application form must be received by February 19, 2019.

Adaptive Thermostat Rebate

Make your home cozier and have more control over both the temperature and your bill when you add an adaptive thermostat to your electrical heating system. And you’ll even receive another $50 rebate for doing so!

This program also ends December 31, 2018, and your application form must be received by February 19, 2019. Find yourself a certified contractor and they will do everything for you!

The Great-DR

Hydro Ottawa also has a solar energy pilot program that they’re hoping more and more people will take an interest in. While it’s not a rebate program, you’ll still get more for your money than you actually paid for.

When you sign up for the program, and if you qualify, you’ll get approximately $40,000 worth of state-of-the-art solar generation system and control devices for just $27,000 or less.

This system will allow users to create a new electrical grid that operates when needed, rather than at full capacity at all times. This means you can decide when and how you use your electricity, you can generate and store electricity, and it creates a smarter electricity grid.

For more information or to apply, visit their website or send them an email.

Hydro One Heating & Cooling Incentive Program

Central Air Conditioner Rebate

If your neighbours are complaining that they can’t keep their windows open because your old air conditioner is so loud they can’t carry on a conversation, it’s definitely time for an upgrade. And now you can get $600 back when you replace that energy-consuming central air conditioner with a new, energy-efficient central air conditioner!

But make sure you chosen model is ENERGY STAR®-certified, SEER 18/13 EER rating or higher, with an eligible indoor coil. It’ll be oh-so-worth it in the end when you’re putting out less on your electric bill.

It’s as easy as hiring a professional contractor to buy and install the right qualifying model for you. They will know what models qualify and will also fill out and submit the application form for you. After you hire your contractor, just send your receipt via email or mail to the address below and you’ll get your $600!

Save on Energy Incentives 30 Commercial Road Toronto, ON M4G 1Z4

High Efficiency Furnace Rebate

Once you’re nice and cool and comfortable with your new air conditioner, you can take the time for a little forward thinking. Now is a great time to upgrade that old monster of a furnace before winter even has a chance to wake up.

Save more money on your heating bill and get more money back in your wallet when you buy a new, high-efficiency furnace. Just make sure it has an ECM! This rebate will give you $250, and you’ll also save 25% on your energy costs.

As with all the heating and cooling incentive programs, the contractor you hire to buy and install your new furnace will know exactly what models qualify for the program. They’ll even fill out and submit the rebate application form for you.

Then just email or mail your receipt to the address below and you’ll get your $250 back!

Save on Energy Incentives 30 Commercial Road Toronto, ON M4G 1Z4

First Nations Conservation Program

If you’re interested in saving the environment and saving money, you’ll be happy to know that this program offers you free energy-efficient upgrades. Of course, you also need to be First Nations living in a First Nations community and be the primary utility account holder.

Living in band-owned housing also qualifies. You must also own your home, and it must be your primary residence. If you rent, you must have the consent of your landlord.

The catch is you can’t have been part of the IESO’s Aboriginal Conservation Program that ran from 2013 to 2015.

If this sounds like you, jump on this one! You have to love a free program that gives you free products! You get a free home assessment with a certified energy advisor who will look at draft locations, insulation, appliances, and your light bulbs. But they don’t stop there!

Your advisor won’t just tell you about what could or should be upgraded, they’ll actually install all the free energy-efficient upgrades for you. After all that, they’ll give you some tips on how to you can save as much money as possible on your energy bill. And just look at all the free stuff you might get:

• programmable thermostats
• weatherstripping to reduce drafts
• light bulbs
• smart power bars
• hot water tank wrap and pipe insulation

• water-saving showerheads
• faucet aerators
• block heater timers
• ENERGY STAR® refrigerators or other appliances
• insulation in attics and/or basements

Take advantage of this exciting program and get your hands on some free stuff today! It’ll save you more money in the long run too! If you want to learn more or apply, email them or give them a call at 1 (844) 349-8972.

ONTARIO AFFORDABILITY FUND

Maybe you’re excited to do your part to help the environment—and to save some money of course—but you feel as though the cost of these upgrades is out of your reach, and at the same time you don’t qualify for the low income programs available. Ontario’s Affordability Fund might be your answer.

This program offers free or subsidized home energy assessments and energy-efficient upgrades and appliances to qualified residents.

To check and see if this is a viable option for you, just visit their website and tell them how much your electricity bill and your total household income is, and they’ll tell you what you qualify for. Or you could give them a call at 1 (855) 494-FUND or shoot them an email.

Once you’ve signed on to the program, you could potentially receive some free energy-efficient products for free! These could include a smart power bar, ENERGY STAR® light bulbs, and/or faucet aerators.

You may even receive a free energy assessment of your home if you meet a few additional qualifications, which includes a plan to make your home more energy efficient. If you qualify for this extra bonus, they’ll also install—again, for free—other energy-efficient upgrades that could include appliances (refrigerators, freezers, window air conditioners, dehumidifiers, or programmable thermostats), draft proofing, insulation, or even a heat pump.

But be aware that you won’t be eligible for this program if you qualify for low-income energy assessment and upgrade programs though.

Municipal Energy Rebate Programs

Hydro One Heating & Cooling Incentive Program

Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program

If you live in a flood-prone area or have flooded previously, Toronto has a program that offers owners of single-family, duplex, and triplex residential homes a financial subsidy of up to $3,400 per property to install flood protection devices.

This could prove invaluable in the future, so it’s a good idea to think about it now.

Just get a building permit (if you’re installing a backwater valve) and download the application form to get started. Then have the products installed and send the application form with the invoices (clearly showing “Paid in Full” and all items purchased) to the address below:

Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy ProgramCity of TorontoPO Box 15266 STN B RM BToronto, ON M7Y 2W1

There is a list of conditions your property and your contractors must meet to be eligible, so check that out before you get started.

Eco-Roof Incentive Program

This is an exciting new program many people could, and should, take advantage of. Both green and cool roofs provide so many benefits to owners and the earth that it really bears looking into.

The program offers grants to Ontario residents so they can install green or cool roofs. When you install a green roof, you can get back up to $100/m2 plus up to $1,000 for a structural assessment, and when you install a cool roof, you could get up to $2 to $5/m2.

Here’s why green roofs are so important: they help the planet by supporting vegetation growth, which results in benefits such as saving energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and urban heat, capturing stormwater, improving air quality, and creating habitats.

Green roof components include a waterproofing membrane, drainage layer, organic growing medium (soil), and vegetation.

It’s important to know that you must begin with a structural assessment of your home by a licensed engineer so you know if your home can support the weight of a green roof. While that could be expensive, the City also offers grants that, in most cases, cover the cost of the assessment.

Just keep copies and originals of all your paperwork, including the structural assessment report and the paid invoice for the structural assessment. 

Cool roofs are a little bit different but no less helpful. They consist of a coating applied over an existing roof system or a new, single-ply waterproofing membrane. Either option reflects the sun’s rays and reduces heat build-up. If your engineer has decided your home can’t support the weight of a green roof, or you simply want to install a cool roof rather than a green roof, you can still get back as much as $5/m² for a cool roof with a new membrane or $2/m² for a cool roof coating over an existing roof.

It’s important remember these key points for either option though:

• 100% of your roof (minus equipment and mechanics) has to be covered unless you include a letter stating when you intend to complete the remaining roof.
• Make sure you wait for funding approval before your start the project. It’s also a good idea to contact the program manager before you apply.
• Any project projected to cost more than $50,000 (cool roofs) or $100,000 (green roofs) must receive Council approval.
• Once you’re approved, the grant money will be given to you when the project is complete (which must be within 6 months) provided you’ve met all the requirements and have all your documents (including a permit, Declaration Letter from the contractor, photographs of the finished roof, final invoice, and an invoice or quote for any future maintenance plan).
• Don’t forget the City may request an inspection of the new roof.

To apply, download and return the application form and any needed documents to the address below:

Annemarie BayntonProgram ManagerEco-Roof Incentive ProgramEnvironment & Energy DivisionCity of TorontoMetro Hall 

LIVE GREEN TORONTO

Now you can get discounts for being green while doing and buying the things you love!

Download the free Live Green Perks app for Android and iOS devices and show your membership at certain locations around town. Being environmentally friendly can happen everywhere, not just at home!

Ottawa Energy Rebates

Residential Protective Plumbing Program

Ottawa, too, wants to make sure you’re covered when it comes to flood protection. The Residential Protective Plumbing Program helps qualified City of Ottawa property owners install protective plumbing devices so water and sewage doesn’t flood their homes as a result of increased water levels in the City’s sewer system.

Provided your city taxes are in good standing and you are installing new protective plumbing, you could qualify for a variety of rebates that cover everything from the building permit fee to CCTV cameras. Individual amounts vary from $80 up to $1,750.

To begin, start by sending part 1 of the application form to the address below, along with a detailed list, quote, and diagram of the proposed work:

Residential Protective Plumbing ProgramPublic Works and Environmental Services DepartmentCity of Ottawa951 Clyde AvenueOttawa, ON K1Z 5A6

Once you’re approved, get your contractor to arrange for a CCTV inspection, after which the City will schedule a site visit. Remember to review the findings of the inspections (the City will send these to you) before you get your building permit or begin any work.

Then your contractor can begin the work. Once it’s complete, fill out part 2 of the application form, and make sure you send the following documents with it to the address given previously:

• copy of building permit, including receipt(s)
• original contractor invoice marked paid in full
• copy of building code services inspection report

Then just hang tight, and provided you’ve included all the necessary documents and followed all the steps, you’ll get your rebate in 8 to 10 weeks!

*NEW* Secondary Sump Pump with Backup Power Rebate

Ottawa has begun a 2-year pilot project adding secondary sum pumps to existing sump pumps to help prevent flooding due to higher ground water levels.

Last year’s flood was an eye-opener, so jumping on this new pilot project could be a good idea, and you qualify as long as your taxes are in good standing and you have an existing sump pump.

Simply contact your contractor to do the work and download the application form. Then email your application in with the following documents:

• proof of ownership (copy of deed, land transfer or property tax bill)
• before photo including existing sump pump and primary power supply
• after photo including new secondary sump pump and backup power supply
• invoice paid in full for purchase and installation of the secondary sump pump with backup power

Or mail it all to this address:

Residential Protective Plumbing ProgramPublic Works and Environmental Services DepartmentCity of Ottawa951 Clyde AvenueOttawa, ON K1Z 5A6

A City of Ottawa representative will pay you a visit to examine your new backup system. Then you’ll get a lovely rebate of $400!

Residential Grants for Sewer Backups

And yet flooding may still affect you, regardless of your best efforts. If that’s the case, then residents affected by flooding three or more times could be eligible for a grant of up to $1,000 under the Residential Compassionate Grant policy for sewer backups.

However, to qualify, you will have to show the following conditions to be true:

• proof of three or more sewer backups during a 15-year period related to sewer surcharging as a result of significant rainfall
• owned or rented the home during all three backups
• experienced at least $1,000 of damage during the most recent backup
• property taxes paid in full
• reported sewer backups to the City within four months of taking place

To apply, download fill out the application form and send it to the address on the form. For more information about the grant, contact them in one of the following ways:

Residential Compassionate Grant ProgramCity of OttawaPublic Works and Environmental Services Department951 Clyde AvenueOttawa ON K1Z 5A6Tel: 3-1-1Fax: 613-728-6928TTY: 613-580-2401E-mail: [email protected]

Ottawa Energy Rebates

Orangeville Energy Rebates

Hey Orangeville residents! There is another rebate to latch on to if your meter is located inside your home. Meters inside a home are generally considered “difficult to access,” so the Town is offering to give you $500 when you have it moved outside of your home.

Kitchener Energy Rebates

Tankless Water Heater Rebate

Have you been intrigued by the recent buzz about tankless water heaters but didn’t think you could afford it? Well, think again! Kitchener residents could qualify for an on-bill rebate of $200 when you invest in a tankless water heater.

The best part is, you could save 25% on your hydro bill when you make the switch to a tankless water heater. Plus, they’re great if you live somewhere with limited space.

To apply, just fill out the application form and send it with your receipt and contractor invoice to Kitchener Utilities via email, fax (519-741-2633), or mail:

Kitchener Utilities 131 Goodrich Dr. Kitchener, Ontario N2C 2E8

Be prepared for a representative to come and take a look at your new tankless water heater, and know that this rebate applies only to existing homes, not new builds.

Rental Water Heater Switch and Save Program

While we’re on the topic of water heaters, if you’re a Kitchener resident and currently renting your water heater from another provider, Kitchener Utilities has a sweet offer to tempt you to switch over and rent a water heater from them.

If you do choose to switch, they’ll give you 3 months free rent plus an on-bill credit of $105, $200 if you switch to a tankless water heater. The new water heaters are also more efficient and save more energy, thus saving you more money over the life of the water heater, so you could win all around.

To learn how to make the switch, or just to learn more, contact Kitchener Utilities by email or call (519) 741-2626.

Sarnia Energy Rebates

??Bluewater Power Instant Savings Program

Another costly but hidden culprit in sucking up energy and money takes the form of your clothes dryer. That dryer of yours could be eating up as much as $20/month! You can reduce that by hanging your clothes to dry, especially during the hot summer months.

Now you can get a free clothesline from Bluewater Power just by filling out an application form and taking it with you to a free community event. Call (519) 337-8201 to find the date, time, and location of the next one.

Sudbury Energy Rebates

?Greater Sudbury Hydro Instant Savings Program

Greater Sudbury residents wanting to save a little dough, get your free clothesline now before they run out! Just air drying your clothes can save you a couple hundred dollars every year, so give it a shot.

Get your free clothesline by simply filling out the online application. Have your hydro account number handy!

Walkerton Energy Rebates

?Westario Power Instant Savings

Walkerton residents can also get their hands on a free retractable clothesline and save money on your hydro bills. Not only will air-drying your clothes save you money in the long run, but it will easily help you do your part to save the environment.

To get your free clothesline, contact the Westario Power’s conservation team. Just know that you only get one per home, so if you picked one up already, whether 2017 or last year you won’t qualify for another. 

Newmarket Energy Rebates

Newmarket offers an instant savings program that offers different free products each year to help residents reduce their energy consumption. That’s a new way for you to save money every year, and it’s all at no cost to you. We all love free, right?

The product they’re giving away this year to help you save energy and money is a free clothesline. It may sound inconsequential, but you could save hundreds of dollars each year just by hanging your clothes to dry.

To get yours, just fill in and submit the online application form. For more information, feel free to send them an email.

Essex Energy Rebates

Attention all Essex residents! Do want to save a little money, or maybe save a little energy?

Then jump on this opportunity before it disappears. The Town of Essex wants to help you save money, so if you’re an Essex electricity (not Essex water) customer, apply today to receive your free retractable clothesline.

Just download, fill out, and sign the Participant Agreement form and email it to Essex Hydro. They will send you the date for you to pick up your clothesline, which is always the last Monday of the month. 

Be aware that you will have to take a quick survey after you send in your Participant Agreement form. It could be to your benefit, though, because you’ll be entered into a draw to win a Nest thermostat, which includes installation. 

For more information, give them a call at (519) 946-2001.

Government of Canada Energy Rebates

CMHC Green Home

Are you going big in the energy-efficiency department? Then start by looking into this Canada-wide program. It could get you a 15% to 25% refund on your mortgage loan insurance when you use CMHC financing to build a new, energy-efficient home or renovate for energy efficiency.

When you’re renovating, the amount of your refund will depend on the results of your energy-efficiency project. Should you increase your rating by at least 5 points and the EnerGuide rating on your house was 55 or more before your renovation began, you’ll get a 15% refund. But if you increase your EnerGuide rating by at least 10 points, you’ll get a 25% refund.

If you’re building a new home, you’ll get the 25% refund if you build to R-2000 standards. Build to any other eligible national or provincial environmental standard and you’ll get the 15% refund. Either way, saving money is always great, especially if you’re doing your part to help the environment at the same time!

For those buying a condo, if the building you’re buying in is built to LEED Canada New Constructions standards, you’ll automatically get the 25% refund. If it’s built to be 40% more energy-efficient than applicable building codes, you may get the 25% rebate, and at 20% more energy-efficient, you may get the 15% rebate.

Just download the application form, fill it in, and send it to the address on the form.

GENWORTH CANADA ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOUSING PROGRAM

On the subject of energy-efficient new home construction, when you build a new home with one of Genworth Canada’s qualifying energy-efficient building programs, you could get another 25% rebate.

Meet the prescribed minimum Natural Resources Canada EnerGuide requirements and you could still qualify. You only get this rebate, though, if you fund your new home build with a Genworth Canada-insured mortgage.

Your rebate will automatically be added to the amount owing on your mortgage insurance.

TIPS FOR SPENDING LESS ON YOUR UTILITY BILL

Now that you’ve learned about all the energy-saving rebates in Ontario, hopefully you’re motivated to make some changes, whether big or small.

Any change is a positive change! Read on for tips on how to maximize all your positive changes:

• Refrigerators are big energy thieves. Get rid of or replace your old ones (many municipalities offer programs to take them away for you; some even give you money to get rid of them). And when you open your fridge, know what you’re getting so you’re in and out in a snap. Don’t take the time to sit and check everything out. You’ll save hundreds of dollars a year this way.
• All bigger appliances use more energy, thus money, than smaller ones, so when you can, use your microwave or even a toaster oven before turning on the oven.?
• Always turn off your computer monitor. A whopping 60% of the energy used by your computer is used by the computer screen.
• Invest in a solar blanket for your pool to keep the water warm overnight.
• Replace outdoor lights with motion-detector equipped lights to reduce the amount of time the lights spend on.
• To cut down on water waste, put an inch or two of sand or pebbles inside each of two plastic bottles to weigh them down. Fill the bottles with water, screw the lids on, and put them in your toilet tank, away from the operating mechanisms. This may save 10 or more gallons of water per day.
• When you hand wash your dishes, since unfortunately we can’t shove everything in the dishwasher (tragic!), don’t keep the water running for rinsing. Fill the other sink or a bucket with water instead. Or, put all the soapy dishes in a rack and use a faucet spray attachment to rinse them all at the end.
• Another great, easy way to save water is to fill reusable water bottles with water and store them in the fridge. Keeping the water running until it finally cools off wastes an enormous amount of water—and money!

Keep up the great money-saving work, and watch how much money starts to stay in your bank account after just a short while!