Heat pumps

How Feasible Are They?

Home energy assessments are required to access the rebates and interest free loans until 2027. They will provide you with a report and, after upgrades are complete, they do a second assessment and apply for rebates on your behalf.

The rebate for heat pumps is $6,500 for average customers. If you are not on natural gas, there is a $5,000 rebate.

Peterborough also has a rebate program offering $4,500 for a heat pump. BUT you can only receive one rebate or the other – you can’t take both. Upgrades can be completed with your preferred heating specialist for either program.

Most heat pumps being installed are air source. They draw from the air. It extracts heat from the outdoor air and is also an air conditioner. Heat pumps that pull from the ground and are more expensive to install. You would need to be in the country with more room.

I spoke to Clara Blakelock, who is a Registered Energy Adviser and Home Energy Program Manager at Green Up here in Peterborough to learn more about heat pumps and rebates. I have been thinking about installing one for quite some time. Let’s look at how it works. what it means and how to go about it. Green Up measure the building, look at windows and doors, insulation in the attic, walls and basement, existing mechanical system and do a blower door test to check for air tightness. The information generates a report for recommended upgrades. Other rebates available are improving insulation, windows or hot water. Note that if you are applying for a heat pump grant, you don’t have to replace your windows. You can choose your upgrades. The report is simply to provide recommendations but you have to pick at least one upgrade to qualify for any grants. What savings do you get using a heat pump? Each house is different - it depends on how old and how well insulated your home is plus the outside temperature. The Ontario Clean Air Alliance have a calculator on their website to get a better idea. www.cleanairalliance.org/calculator/. An estimate is that over the lifetime of the equipment you will save $10,000. How often will you need to rely on your backup heat system? Not very often (depending on the outside temperature). Clara told me she has a heat pump in her home and says she only had to use it for 2 or 3 days last winter.

Heat pumps are the most efficient way of heating your home. They can be 200 – 300% efficient compared to a gas furnace which is at most 97% efficient. They drastically cuts gas emissions compared to fossil fuel.

Clara says the price of the unit depends on the size of the house and range from $10,000 to $25,000. It requires a back up heat source for very cold temperatures. Heat pumps are good until about -20C (some to -30C). The back up heat source can be an electric, gas or propane. If you have a newer furnace you may choose to keep that as back up. If your furnace is 10-15 years old you would most likely go with a new electric back up system.

The loans. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) are offering an interest free, 10 year loan up to $40,000. You have to get the energy efficient assessment done first to apply for the loan. They will pre-approve you, you get the work done and then you get the funds. It’s important to note that there is a bit of a bridging period, as you don’t get the full funds until after the work is done. CMHC will give you 15% up front, but be aware that you will need alternative financing to bridge the gap.

For an ATOTK approved heating and cooling Installation specialist, call Neil Johnston Heating (705) 742-8769 or visit their website at www.neiljohnstonheating.com