DESIGNED FOR THE CANADIAN CLIMATE AND CONSUMER GRANTS!

The Central-Moov NEEP and AHRI listed add-on heat pump system consists of a Moovair M20 condenser and matched Moovair A-coil meets the NRCan ccASHP and Canada Greener Homes Grant requirements.

-30°C*

Up to 20 SEER

Continued from page “29” net zero ability. Grants that would cover large portions of the cost of windows, doors, sealing, insulation, and HVAC were all put into place. Topped off by an opportunity to obtain interest-free loans.

The intentions behind the program were admirable, but there are many pitfalls too that have occurred over these past two years. There is a surplus of training available but there needs to be more geared towards the technology that can be utilized under this program. There are still plenty of HVAC contractors that believe that heat pumps have no place in this country. Many contractors to this day are still selling carbon-producing equipment and lower SEER air conditioners, which lock consumers into energy expenses they may no longer be able to afford. It’s important to remember that a system typically has a life span of 12 to 15 years.

Consumer education

The lack of education at the consumer level puts the industry at a disadvantage. Large question marks around how to apply and what types of products qualify are still a leading cause for hesitation at the homeowner, contractor, and manufacturer levels.

Under the current setup, the Greener Homes Grant doesn’t extend rebates for rental equipment. I can understand why providing a significant cash rebate on something that isn’t owned by the homeowner wouldn’t qualify.

Provinces that decide not to price pollution are put into the system the federal government created. Currently, the federal fuel charge only applies in Ontario, Manitoba, Yukon, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Nunavut.

On the other hand, companies that are built on renting parts of the mechanical room just had their lunch taken away from them by a program that didn’t consider the impact it would have.

For manufacturers, there was little lead time given to produce the products needed to fill the orders. To compound the situation, manufacturers were banking on a 13 to 14 SEER air conditioning market, filling their barns full of unwanted products.

Not only that, but the program has been wreaking havoc with home improvement loan companies. Consumers are having to look for ways to access interest-free loans through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The biggest flurry is on deferral loans to get the projects underway and pay off the higher-interest loans with the no interest government loans.

In 2022, the federal carbon price was $50 per ton of carbon dioxide. This price will continue to increase until it reaches $170 a ton in 2030.

Workarounds

Lack of available equipment is forcing consumers into installing another central air conditioning unit, which completely deflects away from rebates and energy savings for another 10 to 12 years. Some rental companies have found a workaround by promoting furnaces and air conditioners by offering either a gas option or buying a qualifying heat pump.

There is plenty of time left within the program's lifespan for the government to conduct more industry-led discussions concerning the Greener Homes Grant program. Today sounds like a good day to start. :

Glenn Mellors was born into a plumbing family and started in the industry in 1973. He entered the HVAC side of the business in the 80s, working in wholesale, and then joined Lennox in 1992. In 2008 he joined the ClimateCare Cooperative Corporation, an Ontario contractor group, where he is director of training and implementation. Glenn can be reached at gmellors@climatecare.com.