Latest news with #EfficiencyManitoba
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Think big, think proud
Opinion Now that we have our elbows up, we can look below and discover the potential; discover the need. Why has Canada relied on other countries for a vast array of services and production? Let's come up with Manitoban or Canadian solutions. Think big. Let's go all in! So, to hear that our minister of environment and climate change, Mike Moyes has made 5,000 heat pumps more readily available just doesn't cut it. Actually, the Crown corporation Efficiency Manitoba already has an incentive program for heat pumps. How about 50,000 or 500,000? Think big! Also, that would benefit immensely our net-zero target. What about announcements in regard to Manitoba Hydro's future plans? Remember, Manitoba Hydro controls electricity and natural gas (which is 80 per cent methane) supplies. Again, they just don't cut it. There is no mention of any significant energy-producing projects, such as large wind farms in the works, or building solar farms in the making. How about solar panels on every home? Did you know that in the Netherlands one in three homes has solar panels? Why hasn't Manitoba Hydro been more involved in geothermal projects? Of note, Waverley West, a community in Winnipeg, was supposed to have a geothermal energy source. What we hope or should expect to hear from Finance Minister Adrien Sala are, in my view, twofold: plan for a net-zero target; and aggressively pursue renewables so the electrification of homes and buildings can take place soon, and greenhouse gas use and emissions can be eliminated. So what do we hear in reports such as Manitoba Hydro's integrated resource plan and the Manitoba Affordable Energy Plan? There is no mention of an aggressive move away from natural gas. This is very much not in keeping with the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. What we hear from Manitoba Hydro is that they project no change in natural gas use by 2030. Manitoba Hydro states that to get to net-zero, the use of direct air capture (DAC), which is another way of saying carbon capture, is what they will rely on. Let's be very clear. Carbon capture and DAC are largely unproven despite a lengthy trial period time. It is the opinion of many that the mention of carbon capture or direct air capture is a form of greenwashing — 'Look, we are doing something; don' t try to regulate us.' It is also disappointing to hear nothing from Moyes or Sala about retrofitting current buildings and homes, meaning to replace natural gas systems with heat pumps, electric furnaces and electric boilers. This is the first priority of Canada's Green Buildings Strategy. Actually, the only mention of natural gas was in speaking to the question of energy supply security — what if the renewable energy supply failed? You would like to hear that the problem could be dealt with by a large increase in renewable supply and investing in battery technology, to help get through the down times. The other mention of natural gas was that it may be the case that, to meet current and future energy demands, two new energy production plants would have to be built. Unfortunately, the source of energy to run these new facilities likely is natural gas. Again, one would like to hear that our planned increase in renewables should easily meet any energy demands. Relying on renewables to be the main source of power is working very well in parts of the world and Canada. Spain now has most of its energy supply from renewables. They have massive solar farms. Texas has about one-third of its energy needs met by renewables. A recent article about Nova Scotia states they propose to build enough offshore wind turbines to produce 40 gigawatts of electricity. This is an ambitious plan and time will tell if it comes to fruition, but the Nova Scotia premier states ' the excess electricity could supply 27 per cent of Canada's total demands. I guess my point is we know that renewable energy projects are being built at national, provincial, statewide and municipal levels, so really, what's the hold-up? Think of the cost savings associated with the mitigating of climate change. Specifically, the elimination of methane. Let's think big and think proud. We can do it! Scott Blyth writes from Brandon.
Winnipeg Free Press
24-06-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Province launches ‘most generous' incentives for home heating, cooling upgrades
The Manitoba government hopes to encourage homeowners to upgrade their heating and cooling systems, lauding a new incentive program as the 'most generous offer' the province has ever introduced. The affordable home-energy program will help cover the cost of installing ground-source heat pumps for eligible homeowners. Switching from electrical heating to a geothermal system could save people who qualify for the program up to $1,000 annually and reduce their energy bills by up to 30 per cent, the province said Tuesday. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Mike Moyes said heat pumps are among the most efficient ways to heat and cool residential homes because they use less than half the energy required of a typical electric furnace. 'We know that this a big shift from traditional heating systems and that's why we're backing this program with some of the most generous financial supports Efficiency Manitoba has ever offered,' Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes told reporters as he announced the program. Moyes said the heat pumps are among the most efficient way to heat and cool residential homes because they use less than half the energy required of a typical electric furnace. The province has set a target of converting 5,000 homes to the geothermal pumps, which will mitigate Manitoba's peak energy demands and reduce emissions, he said. 'In Manitoba, we're committed to being a net zero province by 2050 and exploring renewable and sustainable energy sources is part of that goal,' Moyes said. Ground-source heat pumps circulate a heat transfer fluid through a network of underground pipes. The fluid absorbs heat from the earth and then pumps it into the home via a fan or radiator system. The process is reversed when cooling a home, extracting the heat from inside and redistributing it underground. The system is designed to work even in cooler temperatures. The amount people enrolled in the program will save on pump installation is determined by which incentive level they qualify for. The savings tiers are based on various factors, including household income, said Colleen Kuruluk, CEO of Efficiency Manitoba. 'When designing our offers, we recognize that every household is different and the needs of Manitobans are certainly unique. This ranges from the size of the home to the number of occupants to their income and ability to invest in energy efficiency,' she said. 'Participants don't need to pay anything up front. We pay the contractor directly, and the monthly cost is conveniently added to their energy bill.' Tuesdays A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world. Some homeowners could see up to 75 per cent of the installation cost covered by the incentive program. They will be expected to repay the remaining expense via monthly payments added to their heating bills, Kuruluk said. Despite the repayment cost, most homeowners will spend less overall on their monthly energy bills, allowing them to immediately realize the savings, she said. Efficiency Manitoba expects to spend about $10 million annually on the program, although the overall budget could be higher, depending on the popularity of the program, Kuruluk said. More options are available for multi-unit residential buildings. Additional information is available on the Efficiency Manitoba website. Tyler SearleReporter Tyler Searle is a multimedia producer who writes for the Free Press's city desk. A graduate of Red River College Polytechnic's creative communications program, he wrote for the Stonewall Teulon Tribune, Selkirk Record and Express Weekly News before joining the paper in 2022. Read more about Tyler. Every piece of reporting Tyler produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CTV News
24-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Province offers homeowners incentive to switch to heat pumps
Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes announces incentives for heat pumps at a news conference in Winnipeg on June 24, 2025. (Scott Andersson/CTV News Winnipeg) The provincial government is offering to foot most of the bill for Manitobans looking to make their homes more energy efficient using heat pumps. On Tuesday, Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes announced the launch of the Affordable Home Energy Program. The goal of the program is to see the conversion of 5,000 homes in Manitoba to ground source heat pump heating and cooling. 'In Manitoba, we're committed to being a net zero province by 2050 and exploring renewable and sustainable energy sources is part of that goal,' Moyes said. Eligible homeowners would be able to apply for the program through Efficiency Manitoba. 'Participants don't need to pay anything up front. We pay the contractor directly, and the monthly cost is conveniently added to their energy bill,' said Colleen Kuruluk, CEO of Efficiency Manitoba. Kuruluk said about 60 to 75 per cent of the installation costs would be covered through this incentive. The rest would be covered by the homeowner, who would pay $75 each month on their energy bill for 15 years. She noted even with this payment, most homeowners would still end up paying less overall on their monthly energy bills because geothermal technology is a more efficient source. Other options are available for multi-unit residential buildings. More information can be found on the Efficiency Manitoba website.
Global News
24-06-2025
- Business
- Global News
Manitoba launches heat pump savings initiative for eligible homeowners
The provincial government says it wants Manitobans to help the environment and also save money by upgrading their heat pumps. Environment and climate change minister Mike Moyes announced the new initiative, part of Manitoba's Affordable Energy Plan, on Tuesday. 'This is a big step toward a greener, more sustainable province that is building a low-carbon future by harnessing renewable energy, while making life more affordable for Manitoba families,' said Moyes. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The program, via Efficiency Manitoba, helps with the cost of ground-source heat pumps for eligible homeowners — who could save as much as $1,000 on heating costs in the first year, the minister said. The province said there are multiple options for Manitobans who want to participate, including an option that involves no up-front costs, as well as retrofits for multi-unit residential buildings. Story continues below advertisement More information and eligibility requirements are available on the province's website.
CBC
24-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Manitoba offers up new incentives to shift to heat pumps, ditches election promise
Social Sharing The Manitoba government wants homeowners to upgrade their heating and cooling systems to a geothermal pump it says could save them up to $1,000 annually on their bills. Just how much they have to pay to get the heat pump system installed, though, depends on which incentive offer they qualify for. The eligibility requirements and incentives are based on a homeowner's current heating fuel type, the suitability of a ground-source heat pump in rural and city settings and, in some cases, on household income: Income-based offers. First Nation communities. Homeowners. Homeowners with oil heating systems. Multi-unit residential buildings. "We know that this a big shift from traditional heating systems and that's why we're backing this program with some of the most generous financial supports Efficiency Manitoba has ever offered," said Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes at the launch on Tuesday of the province's affordable home energy program The cost of every installation will vary because of the diverse eligibility requirements, said Colleen Kuruluk, CEO of Efficiency Manitoba. "When designing our offers, we recognize that every household is different and the needs of Manitobans are certainly unique. This ranges from the size of the home to the number of occupants to their income and ability to invest in energy efficiency," she said. However, she estimates 60 to 75 per cent of the cost of the installation will be covered by the incentive. The remaining 25 to 40 per cent will be covered by the homeowner but paid back gradually as it is added to the monthly heating bill. The repayment will be meted out so it is less than a person's former energy bill, so the savings from shifting to the new system will be realized immediately, Kuruluk said. Efficiency Manitoba expects to spend about $10 million annually on the program, although Kuruluk admitted it could be more, depending on the response from the public. But every switch to a ground-source heat pump translates into greater value in energy costs to Manitoba Hydro, she said. A ground-source heat pump moves heat rather than generating it. It extracts heat from the outside air (even in cold temperatures) and transfers it indoors for heating, and reverses the process to cool a home by transferring indoor heat to the outside. NDP alters election promise During the 2023 election campaign, the NDP promised to fully cover the expense of the heat pump equipment and installation for 5,000 homes over four years. Under the revised program, people won't need to pay any upfront costs for the installation — the contractor is paid directly by Efficiency Manitoba — but there is that remaining 25 to 40 per cent that will have to gradually be paid back. Asked about the change, Moyes repeatedly insisted the new program is "by far the most generous offer that has ever been put forward by the Manitoba government." He wouldn't give a timeline for completing 5,000 installations, saying it depends on the uptake by Manitobans. Kuruluk called it "a significant enhancement" over the grant program that was in place. In some instances, such as in First Nation communities, the cost to the homeowner could be zero. Kuruluk said Efficiency Manitoba is working with an Indigenous-led capital fund that is, in turn, working with investors to cover the expense. Other incentives are designed to support retrofits in multi-unit residential buildings. "By helping Manitobans switch to heat pump systems, we are reducing household energy bills, reducing peak energy demands, reducing emissions and creating new opportunities for skilled workers," Moyes said, noting heat pumps use less than half the electricity of that required by a typical electric furnace in Manitoba. The new program is part of Manitoba's overall affordable energy plan announced in September 2024, he said.
