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The federal government, as part of its effort to cut Canada's carbon emissions, is offering an amazing rebate for homeowners who convert their heating and air conditioning to an air source heat pump, which both heats and cools very efficiently. The rebate covers almost the entire cost of the heat pump, including installation and the required energy audit.
The deal is that this rebate is time sensitive and the required energy audit for the heat pump rebate must be completed soon, likely before the end of February, after which you have a year to install.
The problem is that most people don't know about the rebate and have no idea what an air source heat pump is. My daughter didn't. However, she had a home energy audit done, was told about the rebate, and was provided with an explanation of how an air source heat pump works (and watched the uTube explanations). She had several companies that were listed on Windfall Energy's website give estimates, and took advantage of the federal rebate.
She is thrilled with the results. Air circulation in her house is greatly improved and those "cold rooms" have disappeared. The cost of running the heat pump will save considerably on her overall energy bills because air source heat pumps are 300 per cent more efficient to run than her current gas furnace. And, the great thing is that heat pumps do not use fossil fuels, so are excellent for the environment.
Unfortunately, few people understand the benefits of residential air source heat pumps: economic, environmental, and in terms of improved air quality and comfort. But several explanations about how air source heat pumps work are available on uTube, some of which are easy to understand.
I hope more people will take advantage of this opportunity while it lasts.
Fran Bazos
Newmarket
