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 pay for home energy improvements offering zero-interest loans of up to the lesser of $125,000 or 10 per cent of the current value of their home.
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 Grant.
Canada Greener Homes Grant
The Canada Greener Homes Grant 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 for the implementation of eligible retrofits. This way, participants are eligible for up to $5,600 under the initiative.
To learn more about the initiative and find out whether you are eligible for the grant, call 1-833-674-8282 or visit Canada Greener Homes eligibility website.
Business
Current conservation programs being offered to our commercial customers are Small Business Lighting, Retrofit and the Energy Affordability Program (for social housing providers).
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.
All existing commercial applications which were previously submitted to Hydro Ottawa and pre-approved will continue to be processed by the Hydro Ottawa Conservation Team.
Note: Any existing projects must be completed and invoiced before June 30, 2021 in order to remain eligible for incentives.
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.