New Energy Rebates in Ontario for Furnaces and Water Heaters

Published on September 09, 2019

Since Enbridge Gas recently acquired Union Gas, the two company’s previously existing rebate programs have been combined into the new Home Efficiency Rebate program, making it the most notable of all the energy rebates Ontario has to offer. A part of this new program includes a furnace rebate Ontario residents can use to save money when making furnace upgrades, along with a water heater rebate and a repeatable bonus rebate for completing multiple upgrades at once. 

In order to fully capitalize on home renovations or retrofits, or to be eligible for all of the energy rebates Ontario has to offer, you will need to have a home energy audit conducted by a registered energy advisor. A home energy audit provides you with an inside look at the energy performance of your home, and outlines the most cost-effective ways for you to reduce your energy use.

Here at BSG, we are always looking for new ways to save our clients money on their home renovations -- that’s why our energy advisors are rebate experts too. If you have any questions about the energy rebates Ontario has to offer, or about the benefits of a home energy audit, call us toll free at 1-866-333-3920. Or, you can send us a message via our website and our team of energy advisors will be happy to assist you.    

A Home Energy Audit is Key to Home Renovations

If you are looking to make any home improvements, whether that involves fixing a leak in your basement or upgrading an old propane furnace, you should consider having an energy audit conducted before you start any renovations. With a home energy audit, the most cost-effective renovation pathways become clear, allowing you to target the key areas of energy loss in your home. While your aging propane furnace or leaky basement may or may not be the main cause of energy loss in your home, it is helpful to know exactly how well each of your home’s systems are functioning and performing in terms of energy consumption. Plus, an energy audit is required for the Home Efficiency Rebates.

Using a combination of experience, computerized energy modeling, and something called a blower door test (to check for air leaks), a registered energy advisor is able to obtain every piece of information about a home’s energy performance. This allows them to draft a list of suggested home improvements, which includes the expected energy and utility bill savings for each suggested improvement. With this information, you can budget your timeline and your finances accordingly. 

Also, if you were looking to make an upgrade, but found gas furnace prices to be too high, the energy advisor who conducts your energy audit can help you pick out the right model for your needs, while still helping you qualify for the $750 furnace rebate Ontario has to offer. This means that you can avoid shopping around or waiting for gas furnace prices to drop, and can start upgrading your home immediately. 

An Energy Efficient Home is More Comfortable

As a home increases its energy efficiency, so too does it increase its livability, comfort, air quality, and market value. This happens due to the qualities that an energy efficient home possesses. It is well insulated, airtight, and could be said to have an effective building envelope. An airtight and well insulated home will have a more uniform temperature on every floor, effective humidity control, and it will reduce the stress put on the natural gas / propane furnace / HVAC system. 

Since less air needs to be heated or cooled in order to maintain a comfortable interior temperature, the operating costs of the home also decrease. This means that you save a significant amount of money per utility bill. With the projected energy and utility bill savings that a home energy audit can provide, you can clearly see how long it will take for you to see a return on your investment - per upgrade. Also, with the help of the energy rebates Ontario companies are offering homeowners, it is even easier to make your home improvement investments worthwhile. 

What are the Best Energy Rebates Ontario has to Offer?

Ontario residents are afforded the opportunity of many different rebates for improving their home’s energy efficiency. This includes a $200 water heater rebate, $550 energy audit rebate, and a $750 furnace rebate Ontario Enbridge Gas customers can apply for to help make gas furnace prices less significant. Additionally, homeowners can apply for a number of other rebates to help make air sealing and insulation upgrades more affordable, including up to a $2000 rebate for upgrading the exterior wall insulation to a minimum R-value of R20.

To determine whether you should be renovating your basement for airtightness or your attic for insulation, or even to simply determine if the water heater rebate is the right choice for you at this time, you should consider scheduling an appointment for a home energy audit of your very own. Or, you should consider getting in touch with a registered energy advisor and start talking about your options. 

If you would like to know more about any of the programs for energy rebates that Ontario has to offer, or if you have a question about replacing an old water heater, propane furnace, or HVAC system, feel free to call us toll free at 1-866-333-3920. Or if you would prefer to contact us online, please leave us a message on our website that includes your contact details and our energy advisors will be happy to help you.