The Air Conditioner Rebates in Ontario will be changing to eliminate lower SEER rating eligibility. The IESO “Independent Electricity System Operator” will be removing the CAC system incentives for certain SEER ratings. Currently, Cac incentives are available for SEER 14.5 and higher, however, this will end on June 28th, 2017. A new Air Conditioner Rebates program will be starting as of July 1st, 2017.
The Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Institute (HRAI) recently announced an amendment to the Energy Efficiency Regulations. This will increase energy performance standards for 20 products, including the following herein:
Gas and Oil Fired Water Heaters
The announcement of the Energy Efficiency Regulations was published on December 28th, 2016, in Canada Gazette Part II, following a 75-day public comment period. The regulations reflect input from business and consumer stakeholder organizations, including HRAI and the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating.
What Does This Mean For Me As A Consumer?
When the SEER rating eligibility increases to higher SEER ratings, it will change your eligibility for air conditioner rebates. For example last year the heating and cooling initiative included central air conditioners at 14.5 SEER which cost less to buy for homeowners. However the higher the SEER rating of an air conditioner is the more upfront cost is to the homeowner. It would be a wise idea to replace your system now before July 1st to take advantage of the current incentives.
If you are in the market for a new ductless cooling system, it is very advantageous to you as a homeowner. You will be saving a lot on many units that did not have any rebates in previous years in Ontario. Make sure you take advantage of the ductless rebates when the program kicks in the summer.
Product Updates for Eligible HVAC Measures Included in the Save on Energy Heating and Cooling Program – Coming July 2017
| ELIGIBLE HVAC MEASURE | DETAILS / DESCRIPTION | INCENTIVE AMOUNT |
| High efficiency furnace equipped with a vaiable speed ECM | MUST REPLACE AN EXISTING FURNACE (CURRENTLY IN THE PROGRAM) | $250 |
| Drop in variable speed ECM for existing furnace | MUST REPLACE EXISTING PSC FURNACE MOTOR | $150 |
| Circulator Pump Equipped with a variable speed ECM | MUST BE INSTALLED ON A HYDRONIC HEATING SYSTEM AND NOT ON A DHW HEATER | $30 |
| Energy Star certified CAC system 18+ SEER | MUST BE 18 SEER OR HIGHER AND 13 EER OR HIGHER | $600 |
| Ductless Mini Splits ASHP | – MUST BE 15 SEER OR HIGHER, 12.5 EER OR HIGHER AND 8.5 HSPF OR HIGHER – FOR ELECTRICALLY HEATED HOMES ONLY | $1000 |
| Ductless Multiport ASHP | – MUST BE 15 SEER OR HIGHER, 12.5 EER OR HIGHER AND 8.5 HSPF OR HIGHER – FOR ELECTRICALLY HEATED HOMES ONLY | $1250.00 for one exterior unit and the first two interior units, plus $250.00 for each additional interior unit attached to the same exterior unit up to a max. participant incentive of $3000.00 |
| Ducted ASHP | – MUST BE 15 SEER OR HIGHER, 12.5 EER OR HIGHER AND 8.5 HSPF OR HIGHER – FOR ELECTRICALLY HEATED HOMES ONLY | $1250 |
| Cold Climate Ductless ASHP | – MUST BE 15 SEER OR HIGHER, 12.5 EER OR HIGHER AND 8.5 HSPF OR HIGHER – MUST MEET NEEP’S COLD CLIMATE AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP SPECIFICATION (NEEP, 2017 OR MORE RECENT) AND; – HAVE A COP AT -15°C(5°F) GREATER THAN 2.0 AT A MAX CAPACITY OPERATION AND; – MAINTAIN A MAX CAPACITY AT – 15°C (5°F) THAT IS GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 55% OF THE MAXIMUM CAPACITY AT 8.3°C (47°F) – FOR ELECTRICALLY HEATED HOMES ONLY | $1500 |
| Cold Climate Ductless Multiport ASHP | – MUST BE 15 SEER OR HIGHER, 12.5 EER OR HIGHER AND 8.5 HSPF OR HIGHER – MUST MEET NEEP’S COLD CLIMATE AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP SPECIFICATION (NEEP, 2017 OR MORE RECENT) AND – HAVE A COP AT -15°C(5°F) GREATER THAN 2.0 AT A MAX CAPACITY OPERATION AND – MAINTAIN A MAX CAPACITY AT – 15°C (5°F) THAT IS GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 55% OF THE MAXIMUM CAPACITY AT 8.3°C (47°F) – FOR ELECTRICALLY HEATED HOMES ONLY | $1900.00 for one exterior unit and the first two interior units, plus $400.00 for each additional interior unit attached to the same exterior unit, up to a maximum participant incentive of $4000.00 |
| Cold Climate Ducted ASHP | -MUST HAVE HEAT PUMP LOCKOUT TEMPERATURE CONTROL, WHICH WILL BE LISTED ON ELIGIBLE THE THERMOSTAT LIST APPROVED BY IESO (TBD) – FOR ELECTRICALLY HEATED HOMES ONLY | $4000.00 |
| Adaptive Thermostat | -MUST HAVE HEAT PUMP LOCKOUT TEMPERATURE CONTROL, WHICH WILL BE LISTED ON ELIGIBLE THE THERMOSTAT LIST APPROVED BY IESO (TBD) – FOR ELECTRICALLY HEATED HOMES ONLY | $50 |