Upgrading your inefficient furnace or air conditioning system could save you a lot each month. So where will you find cash for that initial replacement without dipping into your own pocket?
Who doesn't want to save more with a more energy-efficient heating and air conditioning system? But where are you supposed to come up with the cash? An entire HVAC system is quite an investment.
Thankfully, in Canada we put our money where our mouth is regarding eco-friendliness and energy conservation. There are numerous rebates, loans and even grants out there for people looking to upgrade to more current, energy-saving furnaces and air conditioners.
Government energy grants and rebates
Various government levels offer financial incentives of all stripes to help Canadians reduce their energy consumption and maximize efficiency. Most start with an energy assessment.
Quebec
Take, for instance, Rénoclimat through the Agence de l’efficacité énergétique (AEE). It's an energy-efficiency renovation program created to direct grants and tax credits to homeowners for energy-saving home improvement purposes. It all starts with a phone call: 1-866-266-0008. The Rénoclimat program promises to help homeowners make renovations that significantly increase EnerGuide ratings.
British Columbia and Ontario
You can start by calling Home Performance at 1-877-732-9888 to schedule an energy assessment for your Ontario or British Columbia home. Their website at (Homeperformance.com) lists a staggering number of energy grants and product rebates for those looking for new appliances and elements including:
- Furnaces
- Air conditioning systems
- Heat pumps
- Water heaters
- Windows
- Insulation
The prairie provinces
In addition, there’s Manitoba Hydro’s Energy Finance Plan (Hydro.mb.ca), which offers loans of up to $5,000 per residence over a five-year period at current interest rates and no down payment for electrical and HVAC upgrades.
SaskEnergy (Saskenergy.com) in Saskatchewan offers interesting deals through its Energy Efficiency Programs, including PST exemptions, an ENERGY STAR® loan program, the Commercial HVAC Program offering incentives on energy-efficient natural gas equipment and more. You can even get information on EnerGuide Rating Systems from this site, since they list Natural Resource Canada’s phone number (1-800-O-Canada).
Canada-wide
Visiting ShowMeTheGreen.ca is another good way to find energy rebates and grants, no matter where you live in Canada. HVAC incentives (most beginning with an energy assessment) promise deals like money saved on every unit of natural gas used and more. For instance, people in all provinces can save on energy costs through the Space Heating Program – Energy and Heat Recovery Ventilations program.
Do your own research
If you don’t find quite what you need among the suggestions listed here, search the Internet for energy grants, loans and rebates in your part of Canada. Chances are you’ll find an array of wallet-fattening results. You could also speak with your local HVAC installation expert, as he or she may have already done work for someone who has taken advantage of just such a grant.
