EH! Electrification Working Group
photo credit: Environmental and Energy Study Institute/Joanne Zulinski.
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EH! has started an Electrification Working Group! If you are in the process of electrifying your home and yard or your mode of transportation, or have experience with heat pumps, electric/battery operated yard tools, etc., and would like to share your knowledge with others, please get in touch at [email protected] Our main goal is to help our community transition away from fossil fuels. We envision this working group as a group of about 10 people. We are meeting at each others' homes for a couple of hours once a month or so, to share what we have done to electrify our own homes, best practices and resources, where to source specialized technology and contractors, grants and loans and how to navigate the application process. We hope that in time, that others might be inspired to electrify their homes and transportation as much as possible. We also hope to make the process of attaining these goals easier for others, having had the experience ourselves. During the tours of each others' homes, we have seen geothermal heat pumps, air sourced heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, electric chain saws, snowblowers, induction stove tops, electric cars, battery back up systems, electric outboard motors and even a cute little boat with solar panels and an electric motor! Click on this link for some info on heat pumps that may be of help: https://www.iea.org/reports/the-future-of-heat-pumps/how-a-heat-pump-works And another link to an interesting article about heat pumps: https://climateinstitute.ca/reports/heat-pumps-canada/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nsept23 Energy Assistance & Subsidy Programs As of March 12, 2024 -1- Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-efficiency/homes/canada-greener-homes-initiative/oil-heat-pump-affordability-program/24775 Up to $10,000 Available to eligible homeowners across Canada for the purchase and installation of eligible heat pump systems, and any of the following associated eligible measures related to the installation: -Necessary electrical and mechanical upgrades to your home for new heat pump system -Installation of outdoor piping loops for ground source heat pumps -The safe removal of your oil tank. -Installation of a back-up electric heating system (as required) -Switching over other oil-using household systems, such as a water heater (where necessary). -Eligibility criteria enhancements We have simplified the eligibility criteria to make it easier for homeowners to qualify. Specifically: -We have reduced the proof of purchase requirement to qualify for the program by half; from 1000 litres of oil to only 500 litres -We have expanded the list of eligible heat pumps. Many air source and ground source heat pumps are now eligible. -We have increased the low-to-median income threshold to account for the latest inflation, which will result in qualifying more Canadian homeowners. Household Income: Your household must be below a certain level to qualify: One Person: $45,080 Two people: $89,125 -2- Canada Greener Homes Loan Once approved, a portion of the loan can be delivered up front to assist in paying any deposits required by your contractor. The balance of the loan will be delivered after the retrofits have been completed and verified through a post-retrofit evaluation. Loan details Maximum: $40,000 Minimum: $5,000 Repayment term: 10 years, interest-free Loan type: Unsecured personal loan on approved credit A maximum of one loan is available per eligible property and homeowner. The maximum eligible loan amount is calculated based on the retrofits selected in the application and the quotes for this work. The eligible amount is capped based on industry standards and market norms. The maximum eligible loan amount may be less than your quoted cost, in which case you will be responsible for funding any difference. Eligibility All loan applicants There are some eligibility requirements to meet before applying for the loan: -You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or non-permanent resident who is legally authorized to work in Canada -You must own the home and it must be your primary residence -You have a pre-retrofit evaluation and have not yet had a post-retrofit evaluation -Your pre-retrofit evaluation was completed on or after April 1, 2020 -You have not started the retrofits for which you are seeking a loan -You have a good credit history and are not in: a consumer proposal -an orderly payment of debt program -a bankruptcy or equivalent insolvency proceeding -3- Canada Greener Affordability Program CMHC Program Highlights This funding is open to: • community housing providers such as non-profit housing organizations, public housing agencies and rental co-operatives • Indigenous governments and organizations including First Nations, Tribal Councils and Indigenous housing providers • provincial, territorial and municipal governments This program provides forgivable and low-interest loans to help finance building retrofit measures and activities needed to meet climate goals. It also supplies contributions for pre-retrofit activities needed to plan, prepare and apply for retrofit funding. CMHC will fund 100% of eligible retrofit costs, up to $170,000 per unit (low-interest repayable and forgivable loans combined). Forgivable loans will be the lesser of: $85,000 per unit, or 80% of eligible retrofit costs. Low-interest loans will be available to finance the rest. For pre-retrofit activities, the maximum contribution is $130,000 per project. The project must be primarily residential and have at least 5 units or beds. Buildings must be at least 20 years old. Applicants must meet a municipal, provincial, territorial, Indigenous government or CMHC program affordability criteria. Applicants can also follow other affordability criteria such as rent-geared-to-income, low-income, moderate-income, established income or rent limits/thresholds. -4- Save On Energy Program https://saveonenergy.ca/For-Your-Home Peak Perks Program: Take control of your home comfort and energy savings with Save on Energy’s Peak Perks program. You’ll be rewarded for reducing your energy use when demand for electricity in Ontario is high this summer. Energy Affordability Program: The Energy Affordability Program provides support to income-eligible electricity consumers by helping them to better manage their monthly electricity costs and to increase their home comfort. There are two types of support available through the Energy Affordability Program: Comprehensive Support and Energy Saving Kits. People who live in Ontario (including those living in grid-connected First Nations communities) and are responsible for paying their monthly electricity bill as a homeowner or as a renter may qualify for this program. The type of support provided will depend on your household income level from the previous year and how many people live in your home, or on your receipt of a qualifying government or energy-support benefit. Residents of social housing may also be eligible. All expert advice and energy-saving home upgrades under this program are completely free of charge. The Energy Affordability Program is delivered by trusted Save on Energy delivery partners. Comprehensive Support Ontario residents who qualify for this level of support will have an energy-efficiency expert visit their home to conduct a free energy needs assessment to identify opportunities to help them save energy, receive upgrades and replace eligible appliances. What’s Included: Depending on eligibility and the existing equipment within your home, you may receive: Energy-efficient refrigerator Window air conditioner ENERGY STAR® certified LED light bulbs Drying line for clothes Smart power strip High-efficiency showerheads (standard and handheld)* Faucet aerators (kitchen and bathroom)* Additional attic or basement insulation** Weatherstripping around doors and windows** Smart thermostat(s)** NEW: Cold climate air source heat pump** *for homes with electric hot water heating **for homes heated by electricity Eligibility: To qualify, the participant must be: A resident of an eligible Social Housing property, OR An individual who owns, rents or leases a residence, is listed as the primary or secondary utility account holder, AND meets ONE of the following criteria: Has an annual household income for the previous year that does not exceed the following limits: Number of people in the home Before-tax household income 1 $45,322 2 $64,095 3 $78,499 4 $90,643 5 $101,343 6 $111,015 7+ $119,910 Received one of the following types of assistance in the past 12 months: Allowance for the Survivor Guaranteed Income Supplement Allowance for Seniors Ontario Works Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) Healthy Smiles Ontario Child Dental Program Received a Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) grant or were part of the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) within the last 12 months. Is qualified to participate in a natural gas income-eligible demand side management (DSM) program during the past 12 months. Energy Saving Kits: Eligible households can receive a free energy saving kit with easy-to-install products to help you manage your energy costs and improve home comfort. Each kit includes simple, energy-saving products that you can install yourself. With this kit, you can seal up the drafts around your windows and doors, save on lighting costs, and reduce your home's water use too. What's Included Each kit includes: LED light bulbs Weather stripping Handheld showerhead Retractable clothesline Faucet aerators LED night light You may also receive a block heater timer if you use a block heater for your vehicle. Eligibility To qualify, the participant must: Be an individual who owns, rents or leases a residence in Ontario and is listed as the primary or secondary utility account holder Have an annual household income for the previous year that does not exceed the following limits: Number of people in the home Before-tax household income 1 $67,144 2 $94,955 3 $116,295 4 $134,287 5 $150,138 6+ $164,467 After applying, you'll receive your energy saving kit within three to six weeks by mail. There are no fees or shipping costs. -5- Ontario Electricity Support Program: https://ontarioelectricitysupport.ca/FAQ -6- Free Energy Conservation Kits Heat Bank: http://www.heatbankhc.ca -7- Low Income Energy Assistance Program: https://www.oeb.ca/consumer-information-and-protection/bill-assistance-programs/low-income-energy-assistance-program -8- Enbridge Home Winterproofing Program: https://www.enbridgegas.com/residential/rebates-energy-conservation/home-winterproofing-program -9- Ontario offering up free cold climate heat pumps: (Sept. 20, 2024....note: interested parties need to confirm if this is still available.) The new Save-on-Energy program from IESO includes installation, two-year free maintenance warranty, and 10-year equipment and labour warranty for income-eligible Ontario households with electric heating. https://www.hpacmag.com/heat-pumps/ontario-offering-up-free-cold-climate-heat-pumps/1004140350/?custnum=1101397233&title=Introducing:%20Top%205%20Trending%20Stories%20by%20HPAC&utm_source=HPAC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ANXCD240320044 -9- CMHC Green Home Objectives and Description: This Program offers a premium refund of up to 25% to borrowers who buy, build or renovate for energy efficiency using CMHC-insured financing. For example: Receive a 15% premium refund for a home built to ENERGY STAR® building standards Receive a 25% premium refund for a home built to R-2000 building standards Type of Program: Energy Star Financial Incentive Sectors: Residential ___________________________________________________________ An article about the positives and negatives of solar panels: https://kubyenergy.ca/blog/the-positive-and-negative-environmental-impacts-of-solar-panels A short video about the health/climate hazards of gas/propane cooktops: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX2aZUav-54 A series of FAQs Q1: Can heat pumps supply heat in Canadian winters? Q2: Can the power grid support the electrification of everything? Q3: Are Electric Vehicles better for the environment? Q4: Do wind turbines, solar panels and EVs consume more materials and create more pollution and GHGs than burning fossil fuels for energy? 1. Can heat pumps supply heat in Canadian winters? One of our EH! Electrification Group members, Gord Jones, who has 40 years of HVAC experience wrote the following summary: Recent advancements in reliability and efficiency have made modern heat pumps capable of replacing not only electric heating but also fossil fuel-based heating systems. One notable improvement is their ability to operate efficiently even in colder climates, with some models capable of maintaining efficiency down to extremely low temperatures like -30 Celsius. Heat pumps have been a significant technology for heating and cooling applications for quite some time. They operate by transferring heat from one location to another using a refrigeration cycle rather than generating heat directly. This principle allows them to be highly efficient compared to traditional heating methods, particularly when it comes to electric resistance heating. Heat pumps have evolved significantly since their inception in the 1850s, especially gaining traction during the 1970s oil embargo as a way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Government assistance programs, at that time, encouraged their adoption, particularly in residential settings, as they provided a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to electric heating. Moreover, heat pump technology has expanded beyond just heating and cooling applications. Heat pump water heaters and clothes dryers are now available, offering significant energy savings compared to conventional electric models. These appliances leverage the heat pump's efficiency to heat water or dry clothes more effectively while consuming less electricity. One of the key advantages of heat pumps is their high efficiency ratings, which can be up to four or five times greater than that of conventional electrical equipment. This efficiency stems from their ability to transfer existing heat rather than generate it, making them a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option. Overall, heat pump technology continues to play a crucial role in reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in heating, cooling, and other applications, contributing to a more sustainable future. 2: Can the power grid support the electrification of everything? Yes, but it won't happen overnight and it will require significant investment. Here is an article that will shed a little light on this subject (pun intended:) https://electricautonomy.ca/2023/11/27/grids-electrification-capacity-training-reliable/ 3: Are Electric Vehicles better for the environment? And the short answer is yes, but the benefits occur largely after the vehicle is on the road. Here are two articles that help to explain that: https://earthjustice.org/article/electric-vehicles-are-better-for-the-environment and: https://climate.mit.edu/ask-mit/are-electric-vehicles-definitely-better-climate-gas-powered-cars 4. Do wind turbines, solar panels and EVs consume more materials and create more pollution and GHGs than burning fossil fuels for energy? The answer to this is similar to the EV question: the benefits occur after the installation. Here are a couple of articles that explains this: https://terrapass.com/blog/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-using-renewable-energy/#:~:text=Perhaps%20the%20most%20significant%20benefit,turbines%20create%20none%20at%20all. and: https://www.ibm.com/blog/renewable-energy-advantages-disadvantages/ |
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Below are some pictures and stories from some of the projects that our Electrification Working Group have been working on.
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Above, is a photo of a Tesla charger installed in a cottage driveway
Below, are stories of David Dennis' electrification of a small pleasure boat.
The interior mini-split portion of an air-source heat pump.
This “Cold Climate” Heat Pump is efficient down to -35 deg C. It is supplying heat or cooling to two indoor “ductless” air coil units. Each unit / area has it’s own thermostat so they can operate independently so they can heat or cool as required.
Indoor controls for mini-split for an air-source heat pump
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This Heat Pump water heater is 50 gallons and can be set to use only the heat pump feature to heat the water by “scavenging” heat from the room it is in. Whereas a conventional electric water heater uses up to 25 amps or 6000 watts, this heat pump uses less than 2 amps or 480 watts of energy to do the same job. It also has the added benefit of dehumidifying while running.
A 10 Kw solar array installed in 2022.
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The heat pump is a cold climate heat pump capable of heating the house down to -25 C. Backup takes over below that temperature.
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Electric Vehicles
Here is a guide to Electric Vehicles written by The Clean Foundation, endorsed by the Government of Canada: