Canadians are looking for practical ways to reduce their energy bills and make their homes greener. Through the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) program, the Governments of Canada and Ontario are working together to help income-qualified households make the switch from oil heating to more affordable, energy-efficient electric heat pumps. Already, tens of thousands of Canadians have saved an annual average of over $1,300 and 2.78 tonnes of greenhouse gas - together that's the equivalent of taking 17,000 cars off the road.
Today, the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a new partnership with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to co-deliver the OHPA program in Ontario, supported by an investment of nearly $37.5 million from the Government of Canada. Through the IESO's Save on Energy program, homeowners will now have a streamlined, one-stop experience to access funding.
This collaboration will make it easier for income-qualified households to benefit from up to $25,000 in funding ($15,000 in federal funding and $10,000 in provincial funding), plus an upfront payment of $250, to help cover the cost of switching to a heat pump. Heat pumps cut bills and emissions, providing efficient year-round heating and cooling. They are two to three times more efficient than electric furnaces, saving homeowners money while reducing grid demand.
Together, we are helping Canadians lower their energy bills, cut emissions and build a cleaner, more-secure energy future. By making the switch to heat pumps easier, we're protecting households from rising costs, strengthening our resilience to climate change and creating good-paying jobs that support a stronger economy for generations to come.
