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<b>New $100 million energy retrofit program leaves rural Ontarians out in the cold</b> - Environmental Communication Options/Huff Strategy

New $100 million energy retrofit program leaves rural Ontarians out in the cold

Mar 2nd, 2016 5:55 AM

Listen to COHA’s audio message about the need for fairness in energy saving programs (Lindsay, ON, March 2, 2016) Earlier this month, the Ontario government announced a new $100 million home energy retrofit program to upgrade only natural gas furnaces, water heaters and insulation. This leaves many who live outside the natural gas corridor without access to this valuable energy efficiency and bill-reducing program. The Canadian Oil Heat Association (COHA) hopes the Ontario government will take the interests of rural Ontarians into account when determining the details of the new retrofit program. “If the Ontario government is truly interested in promoting energy efficient home heating for all Ontarians, it should provide equal access to this program for both urban and rural residents,” said Stephen Koch, President of COHA. More efficient and cleaner oil furnaces make burning oil in rural areas a smart heating choice. High-efficiency (up to 95% AFUE) fuel-oil powered home furnaces are widely available and offer the highest BTUs per litre (50% more than natural gas). Additionally, upgrading your existing fuel-oil home heating system is less expensive than converting to gas heat.

“Over the last several years, the Ontario government has spent billions of dollars supporting the natural gas industry, by paying to expand a private company’s deliver network.” Koch concluded, “COHA looks forward to working with the Ontario government to ensure energy-saving programs like the one designed for natural gas users are made available to all Ontario homeowners, no matter what heating source they use.”
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For media inquiries, contact: Stephen Koch President Canadian Oil Heat Association“ T: 905 946-0264 Executive Director COHA - Ontario Chapter“ T: 905 604-8884 stephen.koch@coha.ca The Canadian Oil Heat Association (COHA) was established in 1983 to develop to support a safe and reliable oil heat industry. COHA represents a membership of over four hundred oil heat professionals, including heating oil dealers, major oil companies, equipment manufacturers, wholesalers, contractors, trainers and other professional stakeholders. *Natural Gas Distribution Network Map was derived from Union Gas and Enbridge maps. Note: Service is not available for all residents located in the green and orange shaded areas of the map.