Get help making your home or business more energy efficient.
Residential
There are currently several different programs running to help Ottawa area residents lower their electricity costs and save on energy usage at home.
Energy Affordability Program
The Save on Energy Home Assistance Program (HAP) has been replaced with the Energy Affordability Program (EAP). The new EAP offers expanded eligibility to help eligible consumers lower their energy costs and increase comfort. The Energy Affordability Program offers free energy-efficiency upgrades for income-eligible homeowners and tenants, and eligible social housing providers, as well as an in-home energy assessment to help uncover more ways to save.
To sign up or learn more about the program, call 1-855-591-0877, email [email protected]a or fill out a contact form to receive a call back from the program service provider within two business days.
For additional information, please visit the Save on Energy website.
Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program
The Better Homes Ottawa - Loan Program makes it easier and more affordable for homeowners to access fixed, low-interest, 20-year loans of up to $125,000 or 10 per cent of the current value of their home to undertake energy efficiency retrofits and other home improvements.
Measures eligible for financing through the program include:
- Basement, attic and exterior wall insulation
- Air sealing (such as weather stripping or caulking)
- Window and door replacements
- Air and ground source heat pumps
- Solar hot water systems
- Solar photovoltaic systems
- Battery storage
- Electric vehicle charging stations (level 2)
- Additional dwellings such as granny suites or basement apartments (up to 30 per cent of the total loan amount)
The program includes information to help homeowners decide which retrofits to implement based on cost benefit and greenhouse gas reduction potential. It also includes project management support for low-income qualified homeowners and free training for contractors on net-zero practices.
To apply for funding or learn more about the program call 1-877-580-2582, email [email protected] or visit the Better Homes Ottawa - Loan Program website. This program can also be combined with other available energy efficiency rebates and incentives such as the Canada Greener Homes Initiative.
Canada Greener Homes Initiative
The Canada Greener Homes Initiative is now available to homeowners looking to make their home more energy efficient.
Homeowners are eligible for up to $600 for the cost of pre- and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluations and up to $5,000 total in grants or up to $40,000 in interest-free loans to undertake major home retrofits.
As of November 2022, a new stream has been added to the Canada Greener Homes Initiative. The Oil to Heat Pump Affordability(OHPA) program will help households move to affordable, reliable electric heat pumps instead of expensive home heating oil.
To learn more about the initiative and learn more about eligibility requirements, call 1-833-674-8282 or visit Canada Greener Homes eligibility website.
Current conservation programs being offered to our commercial customers are:
- Small Business Lighting
- Retrofit
- Energy Affordability Program (for social housing providers).
- Energy Manager Program
- Energy Performance Program
- Food Distributor Discount Program
The delivery of Ontario’s conservation and demand management programs is now centralized and administered provincially by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO). Customers may continue to apply for these programs directly with the IESO using the Save on Energy website.
Our Role
As a community company, Hydro Ottawa has played an important role in promoting energy conservation. The IESO and local distribution companies across the province have achieved strong results. Working collaboratively, we have reduced consumption, engaged customers and avoided the need for additional investments in the electricity system.
IESO will continue to deliver a valuable and cost-effective system resource that will help customers better manage their energy costs through Save on Energy programs.
Time-of-use (TOU) gives you more control over your electricity bill, enabling you to save money during hours when electricity is more expensive. On-peak, mid-peak and off-peak periods reflect the cost of producing electricity at different times of the day based on demand.
More information about TOU price periods and schedules is available here.