By Carol Baldwin
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Wakaw Recorder
SaskEnergy has launched a new furnace replacement program, designed to help those homeowners facing financial barriers lower their heating bills. Renters and rental homes are not eligible for the program. Through the new Heating Affordability Program (HAP), some income-qualified households will receive a new high-efficiency furnace, free of charge, to replace their low-efficiency furnace.
“At SaskEnergy, we are committed to helping our customers’ energy dollars go further,” said Mark Guillet, SaskEnergy President and Chief Executive Officer. “HAP is a program that helps customers save money and improve energy efficiency, while they keep their homes warm during the colder months.”
For the upcoming heating season, the goal is to replace furnaces for up to 50 income-qualified customers. Older, low-efficiency equipment results in higher heating bills as more fuel is required to provide the same amount of heat as a high-efficiency model. With a new high-efficiency furnace, participating customers can expect to save up to $650 annually on natural gas and electricity costs.
The furnace replacements will be offered through participating SaskEnergy Network Members. The installation will include a 96 percent annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) single-stage natural gas furnace, required modifications to the home’s venting, three furnace filters and, if required, a programmable thermostat.
To access HAP, customers must be participants in SaskPower’s Energy Assistance Program (EAP) and need to meet the income and existing heating equipment criteria. The total combined annual household income threshold (before taxes) for a one-adult home is $39,400 or less, and for a two-adult home, that limit is $49,100 or less. The current furnace must be in working condition and have an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) below 78 percent. No application is necessary, as an invitation to participate in HAP will be sent directly to qualifying homeowners based on information from the EAP. If a homeowner chooses to proceed, a follow-up appointment will be scheduled with a Home Energy Coach from CLEAResult to verify furnace information and income.
If all requirements are met during the verification process, SaskEnergy will provide a list of participating SaskEnergy Network Members for homeowners to choose from. The chosen contractor will then visit the home to verify the existing furnace’s efficiency, review installation options and submit a quote to SaskEnergy for approval.
If approved, a new high-efficiency 96 percent AFUE single-stage furnace will be installed at no cost. A programmable thermostat (if needed) will be included with the installation, as well as modifications to the venting and 3 furnace filters. Of course, this program, like the one it is replacing, is only beneficial to those with older natural gas furnaces. The most recent data from Natural Resources Canada is from 2022, but at that time, just over 80 percent of homes in Saskatchewan were heated with natural gas.
HAP replaces SaskEnergy’s Tune-Up Assistance Program, which helped income-qualified customers with maintenance of their natural gas furnace free of charge. Over 1,000 customers took part in the Tune-Up Assistance Program, with $250,000 in free services and products between 2023 and 2024. SaskEnergy and participating Network Members will continue to support customers with furnace maintenance through the SaskEnergy Network Home Heating Tune-Up, which offers optional on-bill financing.
A caveat is found at the bottom of the information page on SaskEnergy’s website. The program may change or cancel at any time, without notice.