Ontario boosts energy-efficiency programs, plans to pay customers to run A/C less

Ontario is putting an additional $342 million toward energy efficiency programs and plans to pay some customers to run air conditioning less in the summer.

Energy Minister Todd Smith asked the Independent Electricity System Operator to suggest new conservation initiatives. He announced today he is accepting its recommendations.

One program will allow households with central air conditioning and a smart thermostat to allow the IESO to reduce their cooling load in order to reduce peak demand in the
summer. Those who volunteer would get paid an unspecified incentive.

There will also be incentives to install LED lighting or resources such as solar generation or battery storage, as well as enhancements to the Save On Energy Retrofit Program.

The programs will save enough electricity to power 130,000 homes a year by 2025. The government also says the programs will result in three million tonnes of greenhouse gas emission reductions over a lifespan of up to 20 years.

Smith says the expanded programs are expected to be rolled out starting next spring.