Enbridge customers in the Guelph area thinking of updating their HVAC system by adding a new heat pump now have a great incentive to do so – saving money!
According to Mark Pooles, General Manager of Hy-Mark Home Comfort in Guelph, a new grant program launched January 28th designed to improve your home’s energy efficiency while putting money back in your pocket.
“The new grants are specifically for the installation of a new heat pump,” said Pooles, who added that Hy-Mark is one of a select few companies approved by Enbridge to offer the grant. “Enbridge is the major driver of the program that offers a $500 rebate per tonne of heat pump installed. They’ve also made it a lot easier to access the grant money.”
According to Pooles, homeowners who decide to install a new heat pump no longer have to schedule a pre and post inspection conducted by a third-party energy auditor. That differs from previous government grant programs that required the inspection, which used to mean an upfront cost of $650 to homeowners. Additionally, developers of the new grant program have increased the rate at which they’ll be refunding the money. If a homeowner qualifies for a heat pump grant they will most likely receive the rebate dollars within 60 days of installation, which can only be completed by approved contractors.
“Being one of the exclusive companies aligned with the program means Hy-Mark can help facilitate the entire process,” said Pooles. “It’s only open to select contractors. We had to go through a vetting process with Enbridge and the people facilitating these rebates. They want to be sure the people installing these know what they’re doing, have the appropriate licenses and insurance and have the appropriate training certificates.”
The new rebate program is a great incentive for anyone looking to upgrade their HVAC system by adding a new heat pump or for anyone thinking of replacing their air conditioning unit.
“I don’t think a lot of people understand that a heat pump does your air conditioning as well,” explained Pooles, who said replacing your AC unit with a heat pump drastically increases the energy efficiency of your HVAC system. “A newer natural gas furnace is about 95 to 99 percent efficient. A heat pump can be anywhere from 200 to 300 and even up to 400 percent efficient. For every unit of energy you’re putting in you’re getting up to 4 units of energy out of it. If you’ve got an aging air conditioner, now is the time to switch over to a heat pump.”
A heat pump works just like an air conditioner. There’s an indoor coil that lives in the ductwork above your furnace and an outdoor coil. That’s how the exchange of heat is completed. The unit moves heat from one place to another. In the summer heat is taken from inside the home and absorbed into the refrigerant which is then expelled into the environment. In the winter the system takes heat from the outdoors, even in temperatures that are as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius. Heat from the outside is brought inside. The only difference from an AC unit is the heat pump has a reversing valve that changes the flow of refrigerant. A modern heat pump may also be a different shape than a typical central air unit, meaning it could take up less space outside your home. Installing a cold climate heat pump gives you a system that saves you energy on both heating and cooling.
With the rebate program in full swing, it’s a great time to consider the upgrade. According to Pooles, winter is also a good time to have your heating system checked to ensure it’s delivering the best possible indoor air quality.
“Indoor air quality is really important in the winter, because you’re not exchanging the air as much by opening doors and windows to bring in fresh air,” he said. “The number one consideration is humidification, especially in this climate. You want to hit a sweet spot of humidity somewhere between 35 percent and 55 percent relative humidity indoors. That’s not only for your comfort. In that range you’re also helping to reduce cold and flu viruses and to create a much healthier indoor air quality.”
To lean more about the new heat pump grant system or to book an indoor air quality check up, visit Hy-Mark Home Comfort online.
This article was sponsored by Hy-Mark Home Comfort , a 2024 GuelphToday Reader Favourite.