NOTE: As of January 2022, all of the spots for the hybrid heating program have been filled, and there is no further availability at this time. For more information, residents should contact Enbridge Gas at hybridheating@enbridge.com
To help residents reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, the City of London in collaboration with London Hydro is supporting Enbridge Gas as they roll out a limited-time pilot program that provides up to $3,200 in incentives for homeowners to install a hybrid heating system with smart controls. A hybrid heating system uses an electric air-source heat pump that works in combination with a homeowner’s existing high-efficiency gas furnace to allow heating to switch between natural gas and electricity based on electricity rates and what is most efficient and cost-effective at any given time.
The incentive program was developed by Enbridge with support from the City of London to give residents an opportunity to upgrade their home’s heating systems and reduce greenhouse gas emissions locally. Homes are the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in London, and reducing energy use at home will be a critical part of the City’s response to climate change.
“On April 23, 2019, a climate emergency was declared by the City of London for the purposes of naming, framing, and deepening the City’s commitment to protecting our economy, our eco systems, and our community from climate change,” says Jamie Skimming, Manager of Energy and Climate Change at the City of London. “Hybrid home heating systems like this are a great new tool to help residents reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and an important step towards responding to the climate emergency.”
With a hybrid heating system, the electric air-source heat pump – which is capable of both heating and cooling your home – replaces your current air conditioning unit. In warmer weather, the heat pump extracts heat from your house to provide efficient cooling. In cooler weather, it runs in reverse to extract heat from outside to warm your house. When weather get colder (below -2.5°C), the system automatically switches to your existing natural gas furnace.
“A hybrid heating system can reduce a home’s greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 30 per cent while increasing the flexibility and reliability of its heating system,” says Sarah Van Der Paelt, Director of Marketing and Energy Conservation at Enbridge Gas. “We are proud to join the City of London and London Hydro in supporting this pilot program and its ongoing commitment to energy efficiency and carbon reduction measures. Together, we’re working towards a future with cleaner energy.”
A home’s heating system typically operates based only on indoor and outdoor temperatures. A new hybrid heating cloud based system used in this program can consider variables such as the pricing of gas and electricity or the effect of weather on equipment performance.
“London Hydro is excited to collaborate with Enbridge Gas to help London homeowners deploy heating solutions to reduce carbon emissions,” says Syed Mir, VP Corporate Services & CIO at London Hydro. “The electric air-source heat pump, controlled by a cloud-based Smart Fuel Switching Control, calculates the optimal switchover point between natural gas and electric, based on equipment efficiencies, energy pricing, and the short-term weather forecasts. This initiative also leverages the Green Button Standard and London Hydro’s Trickl mobile app to provide customer control and valuable data insights.”
To take part in the pilot project, which can provide up to $3,200 from Enbridge Gas in incentives, residents must:
- Own a home in London, Ontario.
- Be a residential customer of both Enbridge Gas and London Hydro, on time-of-use electricity rates for the duration of the pilot.
- Heat their home with a condensing natural gas furnace.
- Have a central air conditioner in need of replacement.
- Have Wi-Fi for the smart controls to access.
For more information, residents can contact Enbridge Gas at hybridheating@enbridge.com
