Ontario to begin offering rebates for energy-efficient renovations and upgrades next week

Ontario residents will soon be able to claim rebates when renovating or upgrading their home to make it more energy-efficient.

The Home Renovation Savings Program goes into effect on Jan. 28.

Under the program, rebates of up to 30 per cent will be offered for various home renovations or upgrades, including:

• New windows and doors;
• insulation;
• smart thermostats;
• heat pumps;
• rooftop solar panels, and
• battery storage systems.

The program will also provide rebates for services like home energy assessments, and will be expanded to include energy-efficient appliances later this year.

"The demand for electricity in Ontario is rapidly growing, driven by population growth, increased industrial activity and new technologies," said Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan. "By 2050, electricity demand is forecasted to increase by a staggering 75 per cent, which is equivalent to adding four-and-a-half cities the size of Toronto to the grid."

The Home Renovation Savings Program was initially announced earlier this month. Holland and Ontario Energy Minister spoke about the program at a media event in Thunder Bay on Friday morning.

However, Lecce said, the province is also supporting Ontario Power Generation's (OPG) efforts to refurbish hydroelectric facilities across northern Ontario.

The province will be spending $2 billion on the work, and it's needed as electricity demands in the north are higher than elsewhere in the province, he said.

"The average in Ontario, 75 per cent more power by year 2050," Lecce said. "But here, up north, it's 81 per cent."

"You are exceeding the provincial benchmark, and therefore we've got to work quick and move with speed and a bias of action to get projects built."

Lecce said the refurbishment work will create 1,000 jobs across northern Ontario and take place over 10 years.

OPG is spending $4.6 billion on the work, while Ontario is contributing $2 billion.