Ontario Budget Includes $4.5 million for “Clean Home Heating Initiative”
Last week Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy released the Ontario government’s 2022 Budget, called Ontario’s Plan to Build. The budget includes a commitment of up to $4.5 million to support a “Clean Home Heating Initiative” that would help households in London, St. Catharines, Peterborough and Sault Ste. Marie keep energy costs down.
The pilot, in partnership with Enbridge Gas Inc. (“Enbridge”), would support the installation of electric heat pumps with smart controls for up to 1,000 households across these communities, providing homeowners with $3,000 to $4,500 in incentives. This provincial project would build off the initial approximately 100 home Hybrid Heating Pilot Program launched last summer by Enbridge, supported by London Hydro and the City of London. Notably, the current pilot installs Napoleon Heat Pumps, headquartered in in Barrie, Ontario, along with four other manufacturers including Lennox, Carrier, Daikin and Goodman
According to a letter to HRAI from Minister of Energy Todd Smith,
Today, buildings remain the third largest source of emissions in Ontario after transportation and industry. This initiative would be expected to reduce a household’s natural gas consumption by up to 40 per cent and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 30 per cent. This initiative would also create good-paying jobs and build capacity in the skilled trades – including the province’s Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry - and local Ontario-based suppliers.
The Minister noted, however, that the funding is conditional upon approval of the proposed budget, which will not be discussed until after the June 2nd election, if the current government is returned.
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