On Oct. 6, 2005 the Canadian federal government announced a series of measures that will address concerns about the impact of high energy costs.

Included in these measures is the new High Efficiency Home Heating System Cost Relief Program which will provide funding for incentives to consumers who replace their heating system with an Energy Star® qualified propane or natural gas furnace or boiler, or higher efficiency oil furnace or boiler. The effective date and the delivery system for this program will be determined once the package of measures legislation is approved by Parliament.

These measures include $500 million to provide direct financial assistance of between $3,500 and $5,000 to low-income households to defray the cost of items such as draft-proofing, heating system upgrades, and window replacement under the new EnerGuide for Low-Income Households (EGLIH) program. For multiple-unit buildings and rooming houses, financial assistance will range between $1,000 and $1,500 per unit.

In addition to this home heating program, the EnerGuide for Houses program has been expanded and extended to 2010.

Publication date: 11/21/2005