Get help making your home or business more energy efficient.
Residential
There are currently several different programs available to help Ottawa-area residents:
- lower their electricity costs;
- save on energy usage at home; or
- make their homes more energy efficient.
For a full list of programs and credits offered by the Ontario government to help manage energy costs for your home, click here.
Energy Affordability Program
The Energy Affordability Program (EAP), which is open to income-eligible homeowners, tenants, and eligible social housing providers, provides support to consumers by helping them to better manage their monthly electricity costs, uncover ways to save and increase their home comfort.
On April 5, 2023, the income eligibility threshold was increased by $11,715 for a household of four and by $8,285 for a couple, to allow more families access to free home-energy efficiency upgrades like insulation, smart thermostats and energy-efficient refrigerators and air conditioners.
To sign up or learn more about the program, call 1-855-591-0877, email [email protected] 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 access fixed, low-interest, 20-year loans of up to $125,000 or 10 per cent of the current value of their home to undertake energy efficiency retrofits and other home improvements.
Measures eligible for financing through the program include:
- thermal envelope upgrades;
- mechanical systems;
- renewable energy;
- EV chargers (Level 2);
- The addition of rental suites (up to a maximum of 30 per cent of the value of the loan); and
- Battery storage.
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 Initiative.
Canada Greener Homes Initiative
The Canada Greener Homes Initiative 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 in grants or up to $40,000 in interest-free loans to undertake major home retrofits.
As of November 2022, a new stream has been added to the Canada Greener Homes Initiative. The Oil to Heat Pump Affordability(OHPA) program will help households move to affordable, reliable electric heat pumps instead of expensive home heating oil.
To learn more about the initiative and learn more about eligibility requirements, 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
- Energy Affordability Program (for social housing providers).
- Energy Manager Program
- Energy Performance Program
- Food Distributor Discount Program
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.
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.