The expansive Home Renovation Savings Program provides rebate incentives on a wide variety of improvement projects that enhance energy efficiency. The benefits range from a $75 rebate for smart thermostats to $12,000 in rebates for ground source heat pumps.

Homeowners can also receive solar power rebates that are up to $5,000, which significantly cuts the cost of solar panels in Ontario.

So far, the maximum rebates for the Home Renovations Savings Program include:

• Home energy assessment – $600
• New window or door – $100 per
• Insulation – $8,900
• Air sealing – $250
• Smart thermostat – $75
• Heat pump water heater – $500
• Cold climate air source heat pump – $7,500
• Ground source heat pump – $12,000
• Rooftop solar panels – $5,000
• Battery storage systems – $5,000

Homeowners must submit an application to receive their rebate within 30-60 days. There are plans to expand this program further to include additional home appliances and improvements. The goal is to offset the cost of energy efficient renovations, upgrades and improvements by 30%.

This is the business version of the Peak Perks Program that already exists for homeowners. The Small Business Peak Perks Program will give small businesses that install smart thermostats a $75 prepaid credit card per thermostat and $20 a year.

Businesses, hospitals, venues, schools and municipalities can get financial support for replacing equipment through the Retrofit Program. The program was expanded to include more equipment than before.

This training program is about increasing knowledge rather than direct funding to help businesses and communities improve energy efficiency. Energy Managers can enroll in the Strategic Energy Management Program to receive training on how to increase productivity, make operational improvements and initiate energy reducing capital projects. Managers in the program can also get incentives for their companies when they reduce electricity consumption through changes implemented after entering the program.

Ontario is providing more support for communities with transmission constraints with the expanded Local Initiatives Program. Funding will also be given to local distribution companies to meet their community’s specific needs in order to reduce energy consumption and avoid having to install new transmission equipment and make expensive upgrades.

The successful Peak Perks program will continue for residential energy customers in Ontario. Just as before, homeowners who enroll in the program will be eligible to receive $75 and $20 per year that they are enrolled. To be eligible for the program homeowners must have a smart thermostat and reduce energy use, particularly during periods of peak energy demand.

The Energy Affordability Program is aimed at helping low-income households conserve more energy and reduce costs with free energy efficiency upgrades. Eligible homeowners can receive free insulation, lighting and appliances through the program.

Ontario has decided to continue the Existing Building Commissioning Program that assists any business that needs to hire an expert to improve the efficiency of their facility’s operating systems.

The benefits of the Energy Performance Program are based on a company’s ability to lower energy use. Energy consumption must be lowered by at least 5% within a 2-year period based on historic metered electricity use.

The incentives with this program are huge because of the significant impact industrial facilities can have on energy demand within the province. Companies can get up to $5 million in incentives for energy efficiency projects that reduce electricity use by at least 2,000 MWh.

Small businesses that reduce electricity use will continue to get financial incentives through the Small Business Program. Businesses that qualify can get up to $5,500 total for improvements, $3,000 for lighting and $2,500 for other projects.

Qualifying properties don’t have to wait for rewards, grants or rebates with the Instant Discounts Program. The program offers point-of-sale discounts on lighting products that are purchased from eligible dealers. The program can be used for lighting in multi-unit residential properties, industrial facilities, institutions, agricultural facilities and commercial buildings.

Ontario is renewing its funding for the First Nations Community Building Retrofit Programs that support energy efficient upgrades for community buildings. Through the program First Nation communities can receive $330,000 for renovation projects, possibly more for larger scale projects. First Nation communities can work directly with the IESO for assistance and technical support.

Both homes and businesses that are on-reserve in remote communities can get funding for projects through the Remote First Nations Energy Efficiency Program. However, the communities must be in the process of connecting to Ontario’s electricity grid. Those who qualify for the program can receive a free energy audit that will determine the energy saving projects that will be funded through the program.