Contact Applewood today to understand the recent changes in the Heating and Cooling Incentive (HCI) rebate program. Don’t delay – applications for this program will not be accepted after May 31st 2019! Read on to learn more about these recent program changes.
We are writing today with an important update and some context on recent changes to the popular Heating and Cooling Incentive (HCI) program.
As of March 21st, 2019, the Conservation First Framework – which includes the HCI program – was discontinued to help reduce costs by refocusing and centralizing conservation programs. Ontario’s Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, Greg Rickford, shared that funding for the program will shift from electricity ratepayers to tax-base and be administered through the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO). The IESO will be moving forward with creating a Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) Plan.
Several key programs which will be continuing within this CDM Plan include:
- Retrofit Program – to provide incentives to businesses for updating old or inefficient equipment (e.g. lighting, motors and variable frequency drives)
- Small Business Lighting – providing assessments and incentives for eligible lighting upgrades
- Energy Manager Program – to provide funding for a portion of the salary of an energy manager to help identify energy saving opportunities & investments and help secure financial incentives
- Process and System Upgrades – incentives, tools, and resources to help identify, implement, and validate energy efficiency projects from start to finish
- Industrial Accelerator Program – to be merged with the Process and System Upgrades program under the new framework to expand the eligibility of that program to include transmission connected consumers
- Energy Performance Program – providing incentives to businesses for whole building energy improvements
- Home Assistance Program – providing free home energy assessment and installation of electricity savings measures for income-eligible customers
- Targeted programs for on-reserve First Nation communities
See the full announcement from the government to see this list of programs and those that will be discontinued moving forward:
Projects which have already been completed and submitted for payment will be processed according to the Participant Terms and Conditions.
Any new incentive applications for projects submitted before May 31st 2019, with an installation date of no later than April 30th 2019, will also be accepted into the existing HCI program. Applications will not be accepted after May 31st, 2019.
To receive a rebate, participating households will be required to submit proof of purchase and sign-off on the application submitted to their Participating Contractor before July 1st, 2019.
We are here to help you navigate through this rebate change! Call Applewood today to understand the implications of this change for your renovation and HVAC upgrade plans.
