The federal government has committed up to $250 million over four years to a new program aimed at making home heating more affordable for households across the country — especially in Atlantic Canada, where 30 percent of homeowners still use oil to heat their homes you are
Of the $250 million, $118.4 million is earmarked for the Atlantic provinces, where the use of oil for home heating is more common, according to a release from Environment and Climate Change Canada.
The money will be made available to provinces and territories through the Low Carbon Economy Fund, with a focus on helping low-income households switch from fossil fuels to more efficient heating systems, such as electric heat pumps.
The government says switching from heating oil to a heat pump could save homeowners thousands of dollars each year.
Greener, cheaper
Stephen Guilbeau, the environment and climate change minister, made the announcement Thursday in Ottawa.
He said the fund will help Canadians have access to greener and cheaper home heating.
“This new funding can be combined with other federal and provincial incentives so that up to 100 percent of the cost of a new heat pump can be covered for low-income households,” said Guilbeault.
Funds will be made available to provincial and territorial governments through the Low Carbon Economy Fund to expand current energy efficiency programs.
Kody Blois, MP for Kings-Hants, says many homeowners in Atlantic Canada can’t afford the switch to a heat pump. (CBC)
Kody Bloise, MP for Kings-Hants, said the cost of electric heat pumps was a big barrier to homeowners wanting to stop using oil.
“There are many families across the country who have already made the transition. They have invested in a heat pump or made their homes more energy efficient,” said Bloise.
“However, we know that there are some families who simply do not have the means to be able to do so.
Blois said the funding would change people’s lives by reducing energy bills.
He said it was a priority to support vulnerable households to transition to energy sources in light of global oil prices.
The government said in a release that the allocation of funds by province is yet to be finalised.
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