Dual Fuel Heat Pump: How Does it Work?

January 6, 2023

Published by Iurii at January 23, 2023

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Got an old heating and cooling system you need to upgrade to make your home greener? We’re going to tell you how to qualify for amazing rewards through initiatives like the Canada Greener Homes Grant program. HVAC systems across Canada get plenty of usage almost year-round. The extreme weather variations in Canada make it necessary to consume large amounts of energy to heat homes in the winter and cool them down in the summer. Unfortunately, this is costly to the environment and our wallets.

In an effort to help homeowners save money and provide incentives for homeowners to make better use of natural resources, the Government of Canada has established programs and incentives to assist homeowners who make changes to their home that save energy. The goal of being more conscious about energy consumption is to reduce your household’s carbon print on the environment. When people talk about reducing the carbon footprint produced by human activity on the environment, many people think about large corporations and what they need to do to preserve the earth. However, there are everyday things that Canadians can do within their households to reduce the negative impact on the environment. Today, more and more families are willing to spend extra on equipment to modify their homes and conserve energy. While energy-efficient equipment tends to cost more, there are short-term and long-term savings available.

In an effort to help homeowners save money and provide valuable incentives for greater utilization of natural resources, the Government of Canada has established programs to assist homeowners.

One of these programs is called the Canada Greener Homes Grant. Launched in May 2021, Canadians across the nation have been able to benefit from the rewards offered. Through this initiative, the Canadian government set out to assist up to 700,000 Canadians reduce their energy consumption and costs. It has not only made their homes more comfortable, but it is also a huge long-term financial benefit and environmental benefit.

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Canada Greener Homes Initiative

Making at home more energy efficient is one of the priorities of the Canadian government. As we see the effects of global warming and the impact this has had on our natural environment locally and abroad, it’s become clearer that measures should be taken to encourage better care of our natural resources. So the government is helping homeowners save energy. This is both eco-friendly and pocket friendly.

The key to taking advantage of these generous incentives is to know what types of equipment qualifies so you can plan accordingly. So, before you begin to do any renovation work, it’s important to learn more about which heating and cooling systems will make your home more energy efficient and qualify for the Canada Greener Homes Initiative.

Eligible Retrofits

Part of the Canada Green Homes Initiative allows homeowners to access grants that range from $125 to $5,000. This funding incentive was created to help homeowners recoup some of their costs in making their homes more energy efficient through renovations.

The government is also offering up to $600 towards the cost of pre-and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluations and up to $40,000 in an interest-free loan to be repaid back over a 10-year span to help homeowners embark on extensive home retrofits.

1. Space and water heating

Due to the climate in Canada, a significant amount of energy is required to keep homes warm during our frigid winters. Heating uses more than 60% of the energy consumed in most Canadian homes. By switching to more energy-efficient space heating choices or water heating equipment, homeowners can save up to $5,000 on their utility bills.

Newer, more modern heating equipment boasts many advantages – one of those advantages is being more energy efficient. Since the government recognizes that the cost to purchase and install such equipment may put financial strain on families, such initiatives go a long way in rewarding homeowners for making financial sacrifices to save energy and benefit the environment.

2. Heat pumps

Heat pumps are appliances that use energy from the environment (ground or air) to produce heat in our homes in the winter or cool homes during the summer. Since thermal energy flows from higher temperatures to lower temperatures, heat pumps are a way to transfer thermal energy to desired spaces to make the indoors more comfortable.

This method of heating and cooling offers greater energy efficiency and allows you to save your energy costs and cut down on your household’s carbon print. To be eligible for the grant, the new heat pump must be installed by a licensed and trained professional and fall under the category of eligible products.

3. Ground source heat pumps

There are two grants available for ground-source heat pump systems. If you install a full ground source heat pump or replace your current heat pump unit in favour of ground source heat pump, you will be eligible for the grant. Keep in mind that the new pump must be installed by a licensed and qualified professional in order to qualify. Before going ahead with the installation of a full system, we recommend ensuring that the license of the professional installing your system is valid in the province or territory you live in.

The professional will also need to sign an attestation form confirming that the installation has been done according to guidelines outlined in the CSA standard ANSI/CSA/IGSHPAC448 SERIES. The new ground source heat pump should also be listed in the eligible products and must be purchased in Canada. If you purchase your pump online, be sure it is ordered from a distributor based in Canada.

4. Air source heat pumps & cold climate source heat pumps

Three tiers of grants are available for air-source heat pumps and cold-climate-source heat pumps. The type you will be eligible for depends on the type of equipment installed. The grants are available for either the first-time installation of a heat pump system or the replacement of your current system.

It can either be a standalone system or work in concert with an existing system as a backup. Keep in mind that the backup system does not qualify for the grant.

5. Heat pump water heaters

When it comes to water pumps, 20% of the energy used in the average Canadian home is used for water heating purposes. By switching to a more energy-efficient water heater, you can qualify for the grant.

To qualify, your heat pump needs to be installed by a licensed professional, and the new pump needs to be among the eligible product list. Equipment must be purchased in Canada or from a distributor based in Canada if purchased online.

Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) Program

Homeowners have the opportunity to receive up to $10,000 back for switching to natural gas to heat their homes. This is made possible through a partnership with Enbridge Gas and Canada‘s Green Homes Grant. You’ll need to follow the correct protocol. Before beginning any renovation work, it’s important that you determine what steps you need to take to qualify for this grant.

The last thing you want is to find out something you overlooked disqualified you from receiving the grant. The first step in the program is to schedule a home energy assessment with a licensed and registered energy advisor. After they have completed their assessment, they will provide a report that lists the recommended upgrades. You need to complete at least one of the eligible upgrades to qualify, then schedule a follow-up home energy assessment to confirm that the upgrades have been done. Then, you will receive your additional $600 rebate for the assessment.

Who is Eligible?

The Canada Green Homes Grant is available to Canadians across the country who qualify. To qualify, you’ll need to be an Enbridge Gas customer who owns your home or is the primary resident of that home. Enbridge Gas customers who have tenants can also receive benefits for a primary home they do not live in. Rebates are also available for non-Enbridge Gas customers.

Other eligible Canadians include off-grid communities not connected to the North American electrical grid or the piped natural gas network who have lived in permanent or long-term settlements with at least 10 dwelling.

Rebates for Space and Water Heating

You can qualify for up to $7800 for Energy Star-certified hot water heat pumps that use up to 70% less energy.

The heat pumps that qualify include ground source, air source, and domestic water heat pumps.

Contact Us

It’s no wonder that many people are exploring ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Now you can become one of countless Canadians doing so. ThermEnergy is one of the leading manufacturers of energy-efficient heating and cooling systems. We’ll not only install and maintain your new system, but we’ll also keep you informed about various ways you can save money through the Canada Green Homes Grant Program and other initiatives provided by the Canadian Government.

Upgrade your HVAC system with one of our energy-saving products and create a greener home for you and your family. Get in touch with our team today for more information about the big savings you can enjoy!