Ontario offering up free cold climate heat pumps

Low income residents in Ontario are being offered a new way to save money on their electricity bills with the offer of a free cold climate air source heat pump, courtesy of the latest Save on Energy program, operated by IESO, Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator.

The free products are offered to low-income Ontario households that are currently using electric heating.

(Source: Save on Energy/CNW/CISION)

Both homeowners and renters qualify. Residents of social housing may also be eligible.

To qualify, households must have an annual household income (before tax) for 2023 that does not exceed the following limits:

• 1 person = $45,322
• 2 people = $64,095
• 3 people = $78,499
• 4 people = $90,643
• 5 people = $101,343
• 6 people = $111,015
• 7+ people = $119,910

Or one of the following:

• Receive assistance from a government program in the past 12 months: Allowance for the Survivor, Guaranteed Income Supplement, Allowance for Seniors, Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Healthy Smiles Ontario Child Dental Program
• Received a Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) grant or were part of the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) within the last 12 months.

When the cold climate air source heat pumps are installed, the home’s original heat source is left intact as a secondary/back-up option.

“We’re empowering more Ontarians to saving on heating costs,” says Jessei Kanagarajan, senior manager of residential and community support program performance at the IESO.

According to IESO, there are nearly 1.3 million households heated with electricity that now qualify for free cold climate air source heat pumps. For those who qualify for the Energy Affordability Program there is no cost—and no catch. Everything is free, from assessment to installation.

The Energy Affordability Program is delivered by Save on Energy delivery agents. The IESO delivery agents across Ontario have been selected through an RFP process.

It is the responsibility of the delivery agents to contract with qualified HVAC companies to correctly size and install heat pumps made available through the offer.

The authorized delivery agents for this program are:

• Postal codes starting with K — EnviroCentre (conserve@envirocentre.ca)
• Postal codes starting with L or N — CLEAResult (ONhomeupgrades@clearesult.com)
• Postal codes starting with M or P — EcoFITT, a CLEAResult Company (energyefficiency@clearesult.com)

HVAC companies that would like to deliver this offer should contact the Delivery Agent in their area to learn how to get involved.

saveonenergy.ca/EAP