Helping Homeowners Cut Energy Bills with Retrofits and Renovations

Programs Will Provide Cash Rebates to Around 37,000 Homeowners

October 31, 2016 9:25 A.M.

Ontario is making it easier and more affordable for homeowners to reduce their energy bills and fight climate change. The enhanced home energy audit and retrofit programs are helping to make around 37,000 additional homes more energy efficient by providing cash rebates for home energy audits and retrofits.

Today, Premier Kathleen Wynne made the announcement at the home of a family who has received rebates for energy audits and retrofits for their home in 2016. Homeowners taking part in the programs will be eligible to receive rebates — typically in the range of $500 to $2,000 — toward the cost of energy audits and renovations such as new, energy-efficient furnaces, windows and insulation.

The retrofits will help homeowners save on their energy bills year after year. Home renovations to increase energy efficiency have been shown to save natural gas consumers $1.50 to $4 for every dollar invested. The programs are available through Union Gas Limited and Enbridge Gas Distribution.

Helping homeowners cut their energy costs by making their homes more energy efficient is part of Ontario’s plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.

QUOTES

” We want people to be able to save money year after year by making their homes more efficient, but it can be tough to pay for the entire cost of these projects. By expanding our rebate programs as part of the Climate Change Action Plan, we will help more people across our province reduce their energy bills and their emissions.”
– Kathleen Wynne
Premier of Ontario

” These programs will help homeowners reduce their energy bills and ensure their homes are ready for winter. Home energy audits and retrofits are simple actions that can help homeowners save significantly. This investment will also help Ontario fight climate change.”
– Glenn Thibeault
Minister of Energy

” We want to help homeowners take action in the fight against climate change and make it easier to transition to low-carbon technologies. Thanks to this investment, Ontario homeowners can upgrade their homes, improve their energy efficiency, reduce their carbon footprint and, importantly, save money.”
– Glen Murray
Minister of the Environment and Climate Change

” Energy conservation is an effective, long-term solution to lower energy costs. For almost two decades, Union Gas has been a proven leader in delivering innovative natural gas energy-efficiency and conservation programs. Our partnership with the Ontario government through the Green Investment Fund will expand our existing home renovation rebate program to reach another 12,000 households to lower their energy bills and reduce emissions.”
– Steve Baker
President, Union Gas

” We are pleased to partner with the province on the Green Investment Fund, which leverages decades of energy conservation experience and expertise at Enbridge Gas. Building on our already successful home energy conservation program, this program will help thousands of Ontarians save money on their energy bills while reducing their emissions significantly.”
– Malini Giridhar
Vice President, Gas Supply & Business Development, Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc.

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario is providing $100 million for home energy audits and retrofits over three years through the Green Investment Fund.
• The Green Investment Fund is a $325-million down payment on Ontario’s cap and trade program to create jobs, strengthen the economy and fight climate change.
• These enhanced home energy audits and retrofit programs are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1.6 million tonnes over the lifespan of the renovations.
• Homeowners can get rebates through Union Gas Limited and Enbridge Gas Distribution. The programs are available to homes heated by oil, propane, wood and natural gas.

LEARN MORE

• Enbridge and Union Gas have created an online tool that automatically directs homeowners to the site of the utility that is offering the program in their area, based on their postal code.