Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini says Ontario is rolling out new energy efficiency programs that will be a big help for local families and businesses.
The new programs, including the Home Renovation Savings program, are part of a new, $10.9-billion, 12-year investment in energy efficiency – the largest in Canada’s history, according to the province.
“These new Energy Efficiency programs that all Northumberland-Peterborough South residents have access to will lower energy bills, put more megawatts into Ontario’s energy grid, and ultimately put more money back into your pockets,” said Piccini. “While the previous Liberal government skyrocketed energy prices, our government is taking a different approach that puts affordability at the forefront.”
The Home Renovation Savings program is set to launch on Jan. 28, 2025, offering rebates of up to 30 per cent for home energy efficiency renovations and improvements, according to the province. This includes help with new windows, doors, insulation, air sealing, smart thermostats, and heat pumps, as well as rooftop solar panels and battery storage systems for people who want to generate and store energy at home, explained officials.
Later in 2025, the program is reportedly set to expand to include rebates for energy efficient appliances, including refrigerators and freezers.
“As the demand for electricity continues to rise, we’re giving families and small businesses more ways to save money and energy as we launch the largest energy efficiency program in Canadian history,” said Minister of Energy and Electrification Stephen Lecce, in a recent release, adding those future rebate expansions will further reduce bills and demand on the grid.
The release further reads that the government’s Affordable Energy Act – which came into effect Dec. 4, 2024 – ensures program offerings will expand to homeowners’ heating homes by propane and oil, as opposed to those only heating with electricity.
Officials have also noted that the province is expanding the popular Peak Perks program, with a new initiative targeted to small businesses, inclusive of convenience stores and restaurants.
“Businesses will receive a financial incentive of $75 upon initial enrollment in the program and $20 per year for each eligible smart thermostat connected to a central air conditioning system or heat pump unit,” reads the MPP’s release.
In addition to the new programs, support will continue for 12 Save on Energy initiatives, including the Retrofit program for business, as well as programs geared towards low-income households, businesses, municipalities, institutions, the agricultural sector, industry and on-reserve First Nation communities, reads the release.
“By 2036, it is forecasted that this expansion of energy efficiency programs will reduce the province’s peak demand by 3,000 MW – the equivalent of taking three million homes off the grid,” added officials.
The province also said its $10-billion investment is estimated to result in $23.1 billion in electricity system benefits, translating to ratepayers’ saving $12.2 billion in electricity system costs by avoiding the buildout of new generation.
Ontario’s Affordable Energy Future: The Pressing Case for More Power details more information, as well as challenges the province is facing as demand for electricity soars and the government’s “all-of-the-above approach” to meet demand.
Interested homeowners can sign up for the Home Renovation Savings program in advance, with details available online. The other programs are accessible now.
As previously reported, the Independent Electricity System Operator has forecasted electricity demand will increase by 75 per cent by 2050, saying this is the equivalent of four-and-a-half cities the size of Toronto.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
