Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning

Upgrade ID: R-HC-001

Smart thermostats are used to reduce home cooling and heating loads through a configurable schedule of temperature setpoints (like a programmable thermostat) and automatic scheduling to better match heating and cooling to meet occupant comfort needs.

Learning smart thermostats with geofencing contain specialized artificial intelligence that “learns” heating and cooling preferences and can determine when the home is occupied.

Effective Useful Life: 11 years

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be ENERGY STAR certified to the most recently published version.
• Must be a learning thermostat with geofencing.
• Must be installed with one or more eligible HVAC heating or cooling upgrades (e.g., high-efficiency gas furnace) being financed through CEIP.
• Must have a manufacturer’s warranty for a period consistent with the industry standard and not less than one year.
• Must have a warranty provided by the Qualified Contractor for defects in materials and labour for a period of not less than one year.

Supporting documents required for Project Application Form

• A contractor quote itemizing:
  • Equipment to be installed
  • Equipment make and model number(s)
  • Costs of equipment and installation
• Specification sheet(s) confirming equipment details.

Supporting documents required for Upgrade Completion Form

• A contractor invoice itemizing:
  • Installed equipment
  • Equipment make and model number(s)
  • Installation date
  • Costs of equipment and installation
• A photo of the thermostat installed on the property.
• A photo of the equipment nameplate label (including model and serial number), with all information legible.

Upgrade ID: R-HC-002

Eligible air conditioning equipment is centrally installed in the home. High-efficiency technology uses less electricity to move indoor heat to the outside of the home.

Air conditioning duct insulation ensures minimal heat is lost before conditioned air is delivered to conditioned spaces.

Duct insulation is an eligible upgrade cost that can be combined with this upgrade to increase energy savings.

Effective Useful Life: 18 years

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be ENERGY STAR certified to the most recently published version.
• Must be a ducted and split unit (i.e., cannot be a window or portable unit).
• Must have a SEER equal or greater than 15, or EER equal or greater than 12.
• Must replace existing central air conditioning equipment; existing equipment cannot be a window or portable unit.
• Must have a manufacturer’s warranty for a period consistent with the industry standard and not less than one year.
• Must have a warranty provided by the Qualified Contractor for defects in materials and labour for a period of not less than one year.

Supporting documents required for Project Application Form

• A contractor quote itemizing:
  • Equipment to be installed
  • Efficiency specifications
  • Equipment make and model number(s)
  • Coil and condenser model numbers
  • Size in tons
  • Costs of equipment and installation.
• Equipment specification sheet(s) confirming equipment details and ENERGY STAR certification.
• If duct insulation is being financed, the contractor quote must also include:
  • Insulation type
  • Location
  • Amount (linear metres or feet)
  • Per cent of total area covered
  • Costs of material and installation.

Supporting documents required for Upgrade Completion Form

• A contractor invoice itemizing:
  • Installed equipment
  • Equipment make and model number(s)
  • Coil and condenser model numbers
  • Size in tons
  • Installation date
  • Costs of equipment and installation
• A photo of the equipment installed on the property.
• A photo of the equipment nameplate label (including model and serial number), with all information legible.
• If pipe insulation is being financed, the contractor invoice must also include:
  • Insulation type
  • Location
  • Amount (linear metres or feet)
  • Per cent of total area covered
  • Costs of material and installation.

Upgrade ID: R-HC-003

A high-efficiency furnace extracts the maximum amount of heat from burning natural gas.

Duct insulation ensures minimal heat is lost before conditioned air is delivered to conditioned spaces and is an eligible upgrade cost that can be combined with this upgrade to increase energy savings.

Effective Useful Life: 16 years

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be ENERGY STAR certified to the most recently published version.
• Must be fueled by natural gas or propane gas.
• Must replace existing, less-efficient primary space heating equipment.
• Must have a manufacturer’s warranty for a period consistent with the industry standard and not less than one year.
• Must have a warranty provided by the Qualified Contractor for defects in materials and labour for a period of not less than one year.
• City of Edmonton additional eligibility requirements:
  • Annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) must be 97% or higher.

Supporting documents required for Project Application Form

• A contractor quote itemizing:
  • Equipment to be installed
  • Efficiency specifications
  • Equipment make and model number(s)
  • Size in kBTU/hour
  • Costs of equipment and installation.
• Equipment specification sheet(s) confirming equipment details and ENERGY STAR certification.
• If duct insulation is being financed, the contractor quote must also include:
  • Insulation type
  • Location
  • Amount (linear metres or feet)
  • Per cent of total area covered
  • Costs of material and installation.

Supporting documents required for Upgrade Completion Form

• A contractor invoice itemizing:
  • Installed equipment
  • Equipment make and model number(s)
  • Size in kBTU/hour
  • Installation date
  • Costs of equipment and installation.
• A photo of the equipment installed on the property.
• A photo of the equipment nameplate label (including model and serial number), with all information legible.
• If duct insulation is being financed, the contractor invoice must also include:
  • Insulation type
  • Location
  • Amount (linear metres or feet)
  • Per cent of total area covered
  • Costs of material and installation.

Upgrade ID: R-HC-004

An efficient fan motor adjusts the rate at which furnace heat is delivered to the home. Efficient fan motors with variable speed control use significantly less electricity.

Effective Useful Life: 6 years

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a brushless DC motor, also known as an electronically commutated motor or ECM
• Must replace a constant speed motor installed in a natural gas or propane furnace.
• Must have a variable input.
• Must have a manufacturer’s warranty for a period consistent with the industry standard and not less than one year.
• Must have a warranty provided by the Qualified Contractor for defects in materials and labour for a period of not less than one year.

*This upgrade NOT eligible in Strathcona County

Supporting documents required for Project Application Form

• A contractor quote itemizing:
  • Equipment to be installed
  • Efficiency specifications
  • Equipment make and model number(s)
  • Size
  • Costs of equipment and installation.
• Specification sheet(s) confirming equipment details.

Supporting documents required for Upgrade Completion Form

• A contractor invoice itemizing:
  • Installed equipment
  • Equipment make and model number(s)
  • Size
  • Installation date
  • Costs of equipment and installation.
• A photo of the equipment installed on the property.
• A photo of the equipment nameplate label (including model and serial number), with all information legible.

Upgrade ID: R-HC-005

A high-efficiency boiler extracts the maximum amount of heat from natural gas by using condensing technology. This means heat from condensing water in the exhaust is extracted, in addition to regular combustion.

Boiler pipe insulation ensures minimal heat is lost before heated water is delivered to conditioned spaces. Pipe insulation is an eligible upgrade cost that can be combined with this upgrade to increase energy savings.

Effective Useful Life: 25 years

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be ENERGY STAR certified to the most recently published version.
• Must include outdoor reset control.
• Must have an AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) equal to or greater than 95%.
• Must be fueled by natural gas or propane gas.
• Must replace existing, less-efficient primary space heating equipment.
• Must have a manufacturer’s warranty for a period consistent with the industry standard and not less than one year.
• Must have a warranty provided by the Qualified Contractor for defects in materials and labour for a period of not less than one year.

Supporting documents required for Project Application Form

• A contractor quote itemizing:
  • Equipment to be installed
  • Efficiency specifications
  • Equipment make and model number(s)
  • Size in kBTU/hour
  • Costs of equipment and installation.
• Equipment specification sheet(s) confirming equipment details and ENERGY STAR certification.
• If pipe insulation is being financed, the contractor quote must also include:
  • Insulation type
  • Location
  • Amount (linear metres or feet)
  • Per cent of the total area covered
  • Costs of material and installation.

Supporting documents required for Upgrade Completion Form

• A contractor invoice itemizing:
  • Installed equipment
  • Equipment make and model number(s)
  • Size in kBTU/hour
  • Installation date
  • Costs of equipment and installation.
• A photo of the equipment installed on the property.
• A photo of the equipment nameplate label (including model and serial number), with all information legible.
• If pipe insulation is being financed, the contractor invoice must also include:
  • Insulation type
  • Location
  • Amount (linear metres or feet)
  • Per cent of total area covered
  • Costs of material and installation.

Upgrade ID: R-HC-008

Heat and energy recovery equipment extracts heat and/or energy from stale air exhausted to the outside of the home. The recovered energy is used to reduce the heating of fresh air delivered to the home.

Duct insulation ensures minimal heat is lost before conditioned air is delivered to conditioned spaces. Duct insulation is an eligible upgrade cost that can be combined with this upgrade to increase energy savings.

Effective Useful Life: 

• If replacing an existing system, 18 years.
• If the unit is a required design element in projects that improve air tightness and is installed with a CEIP financed upgrade that improves air tightness, the EUL is based on the air sealing upgrade that the heat and energy recovery ventilation system is combined with.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must either:
  • Replace a less efficient heat or energy recovery ventilation system OR
  • Be required due to the air tightness of the home being improved through the installation of a CEIP financed air sealing upgrade(s).
• If replacing an existing system:
  • The efficiency of the new unit must be higher than the existing unit.
• If not replacing an existing system:
  • The unit must be identified by the Qualified Contractor or Energy Advisor as required due to improved air tightness of the home.
  • The unit must be installed with a financed upgrade that improves air tightness (e.g., house wrap, doors, windows, insulation and other air sealing).
  • The pre-project EnerGuide Home Evaluation must include air sealing as a recommended upgrade.
• Must be a factory-assembled, packaged unit including fans or blowers that transfer heat between two isolated airstreams.
• Must be ENERGY STAR and Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) certified (must appear in section III of the HVI Certified Products Directory).
• Must not be a portable unit.
• Must have a manufacturer’s warranty for a period consistent with the industry standard and not less than one year.
• Must have a warranty provided by the Qualified Contractor for defects in materials and labour for a period of not less than one year.

Supporting documents required for Project Application Form

• A contractor quote itemizing:
  • Equipment to be installed
  • Efficiency specifications
  • Equipment make and model number(s)
  • Capacity
  • Costs of equipment and installation.
• Equipment specification sheet(s) confirming equipment details, and ENERGY STAR and HVI certification.
• If duct insulation is being financed, the contractor quote must also include:
  • Insulation type
  • Location
  • Amount (linear metres or feet)
  • Per cent of total area covered
  • Costs of material and installation.

Supporting documents required for Upgrade Completion Form

• A contractor invoice itemizing:
  • Installed equipment
  • Equipment make and model number(s)
  • Capacity
  • Installation date
  • Costs of equipment and installation.
• A photo of the equipment installed on the property.
• A photo of the equipment nameplate label (including model and serial number), with all information legible.
• If combined with an upgrade that improves air tightness, in addition to what is listed here, refer to ‘Supporting Documentation for the Upgrade Completion Form’ for that upgrade’s required documentation.
• If duct insulation is being financed, the contractor invoice must also include:
  • Insulation type
  • Location
  • Amount (linear metres or feet)
  • Per cent of total area covered
  • Costs of material and installation.

Upgrade ID: R-HC-007

A heat pump is a year-round space conditioning system that provides heating and cooling. An air-source heat pump moves heat energy from inside to outside in the summer and outside to inside in the winter.

Duct insulation ensures minimal heat is lost before conditioned air is delivered to conditioned spaces. Duct insulation is an eligible upgrade cost that can be combined with this upgrade to increase energy savings.

It is recommended that Qualified Contractors use the NRCan Air Source Heat Pump Sizing and Selection Toolkit to properly size the heat pump.  

Effective Useful Life: 16 years

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be ENERGY STAR certified to the most recently published version.
• Must replace or be supplemental to an existing less efficient heat source.
• Must satisfy at least 50% of the designed heating load for the conditioned space of the home.
• Must have a manufacturer’s warranty for a period consistent with the industry standard and not less than one year.
• Must have a warranty provided by the Qualified Contractor for defects in materials and labour for a period of not less than one year.

Supporting documents required for Project Application Form

• A contractor quote itemizing:
  • Equipment to be installed
  • Efficiency specifications
  • Equipment make and model number(s)
  • Capacity in kBTU/hour
  • Costs of equipment and installation.
• Documentation confirming the per cent of heating load met.
• Equipment specification sheet(s) confirming equipment details and ENERGY STAR certification.
• The Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) Reference Number.
• If duct insulation is being financed, the contractor quote must also include:
  • Insulation type
  • Location
  • Amount (linear metres or feet)
  • Per cent of total area covered
  • Costs of material and installation.

 Supporting documents required for Completion Form

• A contractor invoice itemizing:
  • Installed equipment
  • Equipment make and model number(s)
  • Capacity in kBTU/hour
  • Installation date
  • Costs of equipment and installation
• A photo of the equipment installed on the property.
• A photo of the equipment nameplate label (including model and serial number), with all information legible.
• If duct insulation is being financed, the contractor invoice must also include:
  • Insulation type
  • Location
  • Amount (linear metres or feet)
  • Per cent of total area covered
  • Costs of material and installation

Upgrade ID: R-HC-011

A ground source heat pump is a year-round space conditioning system that provides heating and cooling. The heat pump moves heat from the ground to inside air in the winter and from inside air to the ground in the summer.

Duct insulation ensures minimal heat is lost before conditioned air is delivered to conditioned spaces. Duct insulation is an eligible upgrade cost that can be combined with this upgrade to increase energy savings.

Effective Useful Life: 16 years

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be ENERGY STAR certified to the most recently published version.
• Must satisfy CSA Standard C448.
• Must be installed by an IGSHPA certified installer.
• Must replace or be supplemental to a less-efficient heat source.
• Must satisfy at least 50% of the designed heating load for the conditioned space of the home.
• Must have a manufacturer’s warranty for a period consistent with the industry standard and not less than one year.
• Must have a warranty provided by the Qualified Contractor for defects in materials and labour for a period of not less than one year.

Supporting documents required for Project Application Form

• A contractor quote itemizing:
  • Equipment to be installed
  • Efficiency specifications
  • Equipment make and model number(s)
  • Size in kBTU/hour
  • Costs of equipment and installation.
• Equipment specification sheet(s) confirming equipment details and ENERGY STAR certification.
• Documentation from the Qualified Contractor confirming:
  • The installer is IGSHPA certified
  • The system meets CSA Standard C448
  • The required per cent of the heating load is met.
• If duct insulation is being financed, the contractor quote must also include:
  • Insulation type
  • Location
  • Amount (linear metres or feet)
  • Per cent of total area covered
  • Costs of material and installation.

Supporting documents required for Upgrade Completion Form

• A contractor invoice itemizing:
  • Installed equipment
  • Equipment make and model number(s)
  • Size in kBTU/hour
  • Installation date
  • Costs of equipment and installation.
• A photo of the equipment installed on the property.
• A photo of the equipment nameplate label (including model and serial number), with all information legible.
• Photos of the GSHP pipes entering the building and leading to the indoor heat pump unit.
• Documentation from the Qualified Contractor confirming the system meets at least 50% of the heating load.
• If duct insulation is being financed, the contractor invoice must also include:
  • Insulation type
  • Location
  • Amount (linear metres or feet)
  • Per cent of total area covered
  • Costs of material and installation.