A New Era for Energy Savings in Ontario
Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Electrification, the Honourable Stephen Lecce, has introduced a new program to help homeowners and businesses save on their energy bills. The eDSM Framework is a new electricity conservation and demand-side management procurement initiative that includes new and refreshed energy efficiency programs to make energy savings available across the province.
This follows consultations with stakeholders through the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) in October 2024 and the Minister’s Directive to the IESO. The program includes higher rebates for home insulation, energy efficient heating and cooling systems and other energy saving upgrades to help Ontario meet growing energy demand while reducing strain on the grid.
Under the new rebate structure, homeowners can get up to $8,900 in rebates for insulation upgrades and additional incentives for heat pumps, windows and other energy efficient retrofits. Businesses and commercial property owners can also access programs to reduce operational energy costs.
What This Means for Contractors
As a CUFCA-certified Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Contractor, you are well positioned to benefit from these new programs. CUFCA works with Standards Development Organizations (SDOs) to ensure our members meet all prequalification requirements. With our Quality Assurance Program (QAP), members can meet program mandates such as:
- Forms
- Certification
- Labels
These will get you ready for the new program.
Federal Interest-Free Efficiency Upgrade Loan Program – Still Available!
In addition to Ontario’s new rebates, Canadian homeowners can still apply for the Canada Greener Homes Loan, a federal interest-free loan for home upgrades.
Loan Details:
- Maximum loan: $40,000
- Minimum loan: $5,000
- Repayment term: 10 years interest-free
- Loan type: Unsecured personal loan on approved credit
Eligibility & Process
- Homeowners can apply for one loan per property.
- Maximum loan amount is based on the retrofits and quotes.
- Loan amount may be less than quoted cost, homeowner pays difference.
- Advance funding available for initial deposit payments to contractors.
- Remaining balance disbursed post-retrofit, upon final evaluation.
And the federal Greener Homes Grant program still offers up to $5,000 in rebates for eligible retrofits. Homeowners must complete an energy assessment first to qualify.
This is a great deal for homeowners who want to upgrade and keep costs down.