Ontario Geothermal Association Applauds GreenON Low Carbon Initiative

TORONTO, Dec. 14, 2017 /CNW/ - The Ontario Geothermal Association (OGA) is applauding the announcement today by Ontario's Minister of Environment and Climate Change Chris Ballard about a new program of financial support for Ontario households interested in improving their energy efficiency and lowering the carbon footprint of their homes.

The Low Carbon Technology Incentives program is designed to encourage homeowners to invest in building envelope and HVAC upgrades.  The primary focus will be on existing detached, semi-detached, and row town houses with rebate values covering 50-75% of the installed costs.  Measures include insulation for exterior walls, attics and basements, air sealing, windows (ENERGY STAR® Most Efficient) and heat pumps?air source and ground source.

Rebates for air source heat pumps will range from $1,900 for ductless air source heat pumps to $5,500 for ducted cold climate units.  Rebates for geothermal systems will be $2,000 per loop ton for horizontal loop systems and $3,000 per loop ton for vertical loop systems, with additional incentives for adding de-superheaters ($750), domestic water heating ($1,500) and for systems that meet higher efficiency levels (an additional $1,500).  Rebates for geothermal will be capped at $15,000 for horizontal systems and $20,000 for vertical loop systems.  Additional rebates of $750 per loop ton will be available for replacing existing geothermal heat pumps for more efficient systems.

Contractor registration for the program will be administered by the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) and will build upon the SaveONenergy contractor database and management processes which are managed on behalf of Ontario's Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).  There will be specific training and certification requirements for contractors to be registered to offer each of the different program measures.

"We are very pleased with the Ontario Government's commitment to combatting climate change through investments in low carbon heating and cooling technologies," said OGA Chair Jim Bolger, President of Waterloo Energy Products, Maryhill, ON. "Geothermal heat pump systems are the most energy efficient way to heat and cool homes and buildings and, in jurisdictions like Ontario, where electricity is mostly generated without burning hydrocarbon fuels, it also represents a significant way for Ontarians to reduce their carbon footprint. This technology, in conjunction with investments in home insulation and air sealing, will not only lower energy bills and minimize greenhouse gas emissions, but it will also improve the indoor comfort of homes."

The OGA, in partnership with HRAI, is preparing the heating and air conditioning industry in the province to answer questions people might have and to respond to demand for geothermal systems that will be generated by the rebates program.  These organizations are committed to ensuring systems are installed by fully trained and qualified contractors, backed by appropriate warranties and support from equipment manufacturers.  This technology has been widely deployed with great success in other parts of the world.

Acknowledging that this new rebates program is limited to home retrofits, the OGA is also exploring the potential for introducing geothermal systems into the new home market: "OGA is pleased to be working with Enbridge Gas Distribution in the development of innovative utility models for the geothermal loop assets, which will further increase adoption of the technology," said Bolger.

The OGA will work with HRAI, GreenON, IESO, Enbridge and other willing partners to communicate to the people of Ontario the full benefits of investing in this remarkable technology. 

The Ontario Geothermal Association (OGA) is a not-for-profit organization representing geothermal energy system designers, drillers, installers, equipment manufacturers and distributors to advance Ontario's geothermal heating and cooling industry.  The OGA strives to be a bridge between consumers, government and industry professionals while acting as a voice to increase awareness for the importance of working towards the use of a greener, cleaner and self-sustainable energy source. The OGA was established in June of 2009 and on April 16, 2013 they were proud to announce that OGA and HRAI entered into a formal agreement making OGA an affiliated association of HRAI. Visit www.ontariogeothermal.ca for details.

HRAI is a national association that represents more than 1,350 heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) manufacturers, wholesalers and contractors, and provides Canadians with the tools and information necessary to ensure their total indoor environment comfort. HRAI offers leadership and training programs for the advancement of its members' business and technical excellence, promotes a code of ethics for consumer protection and safety, and provides consumers with useful information and a database of members in good standing to support an informed buying process. Through its membership requirements and consumer feedback processes, HRAI is committed to a safe, responsible and fair industry that is environmentally-responsible and sustainable. Visit www.hrai.ca for details.

SOURCE Ontario Geothermal Association