Enbridge Gas partners with London Hydro to test hybrid heating system
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two-year pilot project in London, Ontario, is studying the effectiveness of combining homeowners’ existing high-efficiency gas furnaces with electric air-source heat pumps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decrease energy consumption.
The collaboration between Enbridge Gas and London Hydro, the city of London’s electricity distributor, represents the latest low-carbon initiative advanced by Enbridge Gas. It is the first pilot program of its kind in North America, according to the utility.
A system like the one being evaluated can switch automatically between electricity and natural gas depending on energy prices and weather forecasts. The pilot program will monitor the impact of the hybrid heating system on homeowners’ energy consumption, energy costs, greenhouse gas emissions and overall satisfaction.
According to Sarah Van Der Paelt, director of marketing and energy conservation at Enbridge Gas, hybrid heating systems like those being examined in London can reduce a home’s greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 30%. They also increase the flexibility and fuel cost resiliency of the home’s heating system.
Plans for the program began during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and kicked off with a roadshow educating heating and air conditioning manufacturers about the benefits of hybrid heating with smart controls. In August 2021, marketing of the pilot program began targeting homeowners through manufacturers’ HVAC contractors.
Currently, the project plans to replace about 100 existing air conditioners with ducted air-source heat pumps integrated with smart controls. The resulting hybrid heating solution is an innovative step toward Natural Resource Canada’s goal of transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
The city of London declared a climate emergency in 2019 to define the scope of the problem and establish its commitment to an effective response.
“In Ontario, our goal is to enable the adoption of technologies that are appropriate for the residential sector,” said Octavian Ghiricociu, a technology adviser with the Enbridge Gas energy conservation and marketing team.
Eligible customers will receive a $3,200 rebate once the hybrid heating system is installed in their homes. The system will be evaluated until August 2023.
“We are proud to join the city of London and London Hydro in supporting this pilot program and its ongoing commitment to energy efficiency and carbon reduction measures. Together, we’re working toward a future with cleaner energy,” said Van Der Paelt.