Enbridge Gas Hybrid Heating Pilot to expand to Sault Ste. Marie
Tuesday, May 3, 2022
The Ontario Provincial Budget tabled on April 28, 2022 has announced $4.5 million to expand the Enbridge Gas Hybrid Heating Pilot Program. It is anticipated that this will benefit up to 1,000 customers in four communities across Ontario, including Sault Ste. Marie. Other communities include London, Peterborough and St. Catherine’s. The pilot expansion has been supported locally through a collaboration between Enbridge, the City of Sault Ste. Marie and PUC Services Inc.
Hybrid heating technology helps lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of homeowners, without increasing the peak load on the province’s electric infrastructure. The program will provide an incentive to homeowners to purchase an electric air-source heat pump and smart controls that can be combined with the homeowners high-efficiency gas furnace. The system optimizes gas and electric infrastructure reducing the carbon footprint while choosing the most efficient and cost-effective heating source. The expansion of the pilot program would help Ontarians reduce their carbon footprint by approximately 1 tonne of carbon dioxide every year, while achieving annual utility bill savings that will increase over time as the carbon tax increases the cost of natural gas.
“This initiative is an important example of government, utilities and municipalities partnering to advance leading-edge heating technologies that reduce GHG emissions affordably, while delivering a reliable supply of clean energy to local homes” said Michele Harradence, President, Enbridge Gas. “We applaud the provincial government for its ongoing commitment to energy efficiency and carbon reduction measures and look forward to working with local communities to advance this pilot program. Together, we are working towards a cleaner energy future.”
“The announcement of the hybrid heat pump expansion to Sault Ste. Marie aligns with the City of Sault Ste. Marie’s GHG Reduction Plan,” says Malcolm White, CAO, City of Sault Ste. Marie. “Increasing uptake in residential energy efficiency retrofits such as hybrid home heating systems are a great tool to help residents reduce their GHG emissions. We thank the Government of Ontario for their investment in our community and look forward to working with Enbridge and the PUC in our ongoing commitment to energy efficiency and carbon reduction measures.”
“PUC Services Inc. would like to thank the Government of Ontario for making this major investment in our community, and their ongoing commitment to a greener future”, stated Robert Brewer, President & CEO, PUC Services Inc. “This innovative, low-carbon initiative will have a direct impact on PUC customers, aligning with our efforts to help homeowners lower their carbon footprint, while saving money on their energy bill. We are proud to join the City of Sault Ste. Marie and Enbridge in supporting this pilot project in our community.”