VICTORIA – Up to $1,700 per home is available to help British Columbians upgrade from oil heating to efficient electric air source heat pumps through the Oil to Heat Pump Incentive Program.
The program is funded by the B.C. Ministry of Energy and Mines' Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund and administered by City Green Solutions, a non-profit energy efficiency organization.
"With the cooler weather of fall and winter approaching this is an excellent time for homeowners to think about investing in energy efficient heating solutions. Incentives of up to $1,700 to upgrade from oil heat to electric heat pumps will make it easier for British Columbians to lower their heating bills and reduce household greenhouse gas emissions," says Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines.
"An oil to heat pump upgrade is one of the most important things we can do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from existing homes. Participating homes' typical carbon reductions will be better than taking a car off the road for 15 years," explains Glenys Verhulst, Oil to Heat Pump Program Manager.
"Heat pumps are very efficient home heating systems because they use only a small amount of electricity to move a large amount of heat, to provide comfortable temperatures in the home year-round. An oil to heat pump upgrade will reduce a typical home's energy bills by $1,300 to $2,700 every year, and will eliminate the risk of costly damage to air, soil, and waterways from home heating oil leaks," adds Verhulst.
To qualify, homeowners must install a qualifying central or mini-split heat pump and remove their oil tank and oil heating system. Incentives are available on a first-come, first-served basis while funds last.
The Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund is designed to support the B.C. government's energy, economic, environmental, and greenhouse gas reduction priorities and advance B.C.'s clean energy sector.
To learn more, or to register for the Oil to Heat Pump Incentive Program, visit www.oiltoheatpump.ca or call 1.877.545.6247.
Background
• A heat pump system typically pays for itself in energy savings quickly and can deliver a return on investment of 20 – 39%.
• Cleanup costs from home heating oil spills typically range from $65,000 to $118,000, are the responsibility of the homeowner, and are generally not covered by home insurance.
• Heating oil spills can be environmentally damaging. Oil can contaminate soil and water; harm or kill fish, pets, and other animals; and pollute air in the neighbourhood.
• Heat pumps provide comfortable, clean, and affordable heating and cooling year round.