Energy Affordability Program
The Energy Affordability Program offers energy-saving upgrades tailored to the specific needs of your home, all at no cost. And a more energy-efficient home means more comfort and more money in your wallet. Saving energy is simple with the Energy Affordability Program.
What is the Energy Affordability Program?
The Energy Affordability Program provides support to income-eligible electricity consumers by helping them to better manage their monthly electricity costs and to increase their home comfort.
There are two types of support available through the Energy Affordability Program: Comprehensive Support and Energy Saving Kits.
People who live in Ontario (including those living in grid-connected First Nations communities) and are responsible for paying their monthly electricity bill as a homeowner or as a renter may qualify for this program. The type of support provided will depend on your household income level from the previous year and how many people live in your home, or on your receipt of a qualifying government or energy-support benefit. Residents of social housing may also be eligible.
All expert advice and energy-saving home upgrades under this program are completely free of charge.
The Energy Affordability Program is delivered by trusted Save on Energy delivery partners.
Comprehensive Support
Ontario residents who qualify for this level of support will have an energy-efficiency expert visit their home to conduct a free energy needs assessment to identify opportunities to help them save energy, receive upgrades and replace eligible appliances.
Depending on eligibility and the existing equipment within your home, you may receive:
- ENERGY STAR® certified LED light bulbs
- High-efficiency showerheads (standard and handheld)*
- Faucet aerators (kitchen and bathroom)*
- Drying line for clothes
- Energy-efficient refrigerator
- Window air conditioner
- Smart power strip
- Additional attic or basement insulation**
- Weatherstripping around doors and windows**
- Smart thermostat(s)**
*for homes with electric hot water heating
**for homes heated by electricity
To qualify, the participant must be:
- A resident of an eligible Social Housing property, OR
- An individual who owns, rents or leases a residence, is listed as the primary or secondary utility account holder, AND meets ONE of the following criteria:
- Has an annual household income for the previous year that does not exceed the following limits:
- Received one of the following types of assistance in the past 12 months:
- Received a Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) grant or were part of the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) within the last 12 months.
- Is qualified to participate in a natural gas income-eligible demand side management (DSM) program during the past 12 months.
| Number of people in the home | Before-tax household income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $42,437 |
| 2 | $60,014 |
| 3 | $73,501 |
| 4 | $84,872 |
| 5 | $94,890 |
| 6 | $103,947 |
| 7+ | $112,275 |
Energy Saving Kits
Eligible households can receive a free energy saving kit with easy-to-install products to help you manage your energy costs and improve home comfort. Each kit includes simple, energy-saving products that you can install yourself. With this kit, you can seal up the drafts around your windows and doors, save on lighting costs, and reduce your home's water use too.
Each kit includes:
- LED light bulbs
- Weather stripping
- Handheld showerhead
- Retractable clothesline
- Faucet aerators
- LED night light
- You may also receive a block heater timer if you use a block heater for your vehicle.
To qualify, the participant must:
- Be an individual who owns, rents or leases a residence in Ontario and is listed as the primary or secondary utility account holder
- Have an annual household income for the previous year that does not exceed the following limits:
| Number of people in the home | Before-tax household income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $55,654 |
| 2 | $67,409 |
| 3 | $79,164 |
| 4 | $90,919 |
| 5 | $102,674 |
| 6 | $114,429 |
| 7+ | $126,184 |
After applying, you'll receive your energy saving kit within three to six weeks by mail. There are no fees or shipping costs.
How to get started
To sign up, find out if you qualify or learn more about the program:
Complete the form and be contacted by a program service provider within three business days.
Program information and resources
Looking for additional support? Consider the following programs:
The Home Assistance Program ended on December 31, 2020, but the same benefits continue to be available at no cost for social housing in the Energy Affordability Program.
Finchview Villa residents are resting easier since new energy-efficient
light bulbs, a new ENERGY STAR® freezer and five ENERGY
STAR® refrigerators were installed in the non-profit apartment
complex for seniors near Ottawa.
The upgrades helped lower the residence’s annual energy costs by
approximately $2,600, keeping overall operating costs in check.
By lowering energy costs, the residence is helping to make rent
more affordable for the seniors living there.
Program
Home Assistance Program
Benefits
- $2,600 in annual energy savings
- Lower energy costs for the residence
- Peace of mind for seniors
An energy audit at Aventine Co-op Homes in Kitchener, Ontario,
an electrically-heated town home complex, identified a wave of
upgrades to help individual members save on their energy bills and
live more comfortably.
“The audit was a great catalyst,” said Paulette Clamp, Aventine’s
Administrator. “We realized that switching to energy-efficient
light bulbs was just one of many things we could do to help our
members. Since the audit, we’ve installed new heaters, as well as
patio and garage doors in most of the units to stop energy from
leaking out. We’ve also started circulating notices and flyers with
tips on saving energy.”
A free energy audit had a transformative effect on Aventine Co-op
Homes and its members. Small changes led to bigger ones and to a
whole new mindset about energy efficiency.
Program
Home Assistance Program
Benefits
- Greater in-home comfort
- Energy savings for co-op members
- Incremental investments in energy upgrades
- Energy efficiency awareness amongst members
When offered the opportunity to reduce operating costs at
the Sudbury YWCA’s 10-unit transitional housing unit, and its
emergency shelter for women and children, Executive Director
Marlene Gorman didn’t think twice. Through the Home Assistance
Program, she installed energy-efficient light bulbs and ENERGY
STAR® refrigerators.
The savings made enough of a difference that the not-for-profit
organization looked at other energy-saving measures to increase
residents’ comfort and sense of security.
Now, with the money it’s saving on energy, the YWCA Sudbury can
put more of its budget towards the day-to-day needs of women and
children in crisis.
Program
Home Assistance Program
Benefits
- Increased sense of safety for residents
- Lower operating costs
- Improved in-suite comfort for residents