NEWS RELEASE
SAM OOSTERHOFF, MPP FOR NIAGARA WEST
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The Ontario government is launching new energy efficiency programs, including the Home Renovation Savings Program, to help families and businesses across Ontario and in Niagara save money. The programs are part of a new $10.9 billion twelve-year investment in energy efficiency, the largest in Canada's history.
"These new Energy Efficiency Programs will lower energy bills, put more megawatts into Ontario's energy grid, and ultimately put more money back into the pockets of the people of Ontario," said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.
"Our government is taking an approach to energy that puts affordability at the forefront and supports local families and job creators."
The new Home Renovation Savings Program will launch on January 28, 2025, and offer rebates of up to thirty percent for home energy efficiency renovations and improvements, including 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. Later in 2025, the program will expand to include rebates for energy efficient appliances, including refrigerators and freezers.
"As the demand for electricity continues to rise, we are giving families and small businesses more ways to save money and energy as we launch the largest energy efficiency program in Canadian history," said Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification.
"Ontario's new Home Renovation Savings Program will put more money back into the residents of the province, covering up to thirty percent of the costs on energy efficiency products. We will expand this program again in 2025, including rebates for energy efficient appliances, to further reduce energy bills and demand on the grid."
The government's Affordable Energy Act, which came into force on December 4, 2024, ensures the new Home Renovation Savings Program and other program offerings will be expanded to homeowners who heat their homes by propane and oil, instead of being restricted to those who heat with electricity, as it was under previous governments.
The province is also expanding the popular Peak Perks program with a new program specifically targeted to small businesses, including 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.
In addition to the two new energy efficiency programs, the province will continue to support twelve Save on Energy programs, including the highly popular Retrofit Program for business, as well as other programs geared to low-income households, businesses, municipalities, institutions, the agricultural sector, industry and on-reserve First Nation communities.
By 2036, it is forecasted that this expansion of energy efficiency programs will reduce the province’s peak demand by 3,000 megawatts - the equivalent of taking three million homes off the grid. The province's $10.9 billion investment is also estimated to result in $23.1 billion in electricity system benefits, thereby saving ratepayers $12.2 billion in electricity system costs by avoiding the build out of new generation.
Expanding energy efficiency programs to save families money is just one way the government is meeting the province's rapidly growing demand for electricity. Ontario's Affordable Energy Future: The Pressing Case for More Power outlines the challenges facing the province as demand for electricity continues to rapidly grow, as well as the government's all-of-the-above approach to meet this demand.
Quick Facts:
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The Home Renovation Savings Program will launch on January 28, 2025, and interested homeowners can sign up in advance today. All other programs are available now.
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The new Home Renovation Savings Program will provide 'one-window' access for all home energy efficiency upgrades through Save on Energy and Enbridge Gas conservation programs.
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The Independent Electricity System Operator has forecasted that electricity demand will increase by seventy-five percent by 2050 - the equivalent of four and a half cities the size of Toronto.
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The increased demand stems primarily from Ontario's rapid increase in population, new manufacturing facilities, advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence data centres, the electrification of industry and the charging energy required for electric vehicles.
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Ontario's new and enhanced energy efficiency programs for electricity customers will be an increase from the government's previous expansion of energy efficiency programs to over $1 billion over four years.
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