Commentary, Opinion

When appliances die, consider going green

May 22, 2025   ·   0 Comments

By Louise Montague

There is never a good time for a furnace to break down or an appliance to die. But, with every problem, there lies an opportunity. When you need to replace an air conditioner, furnace or washer, it’s the perfect time to explore options that could turn into a good investment for both your wallet and the planet.  

Take a furnace, for example. Replacing an old gas furnace with a heat pump is a much better solution. Heat pumps are powered by electricity to transfer heat rather than creating it, so they use less energy than a traditional furnace. 

According to the Canadian Climate Institute, heat pumps are highly energy efficient, run without burning fossil fuels, and double as air conditioning, which is becoming increasingly important as extreme summer heat becomes more frequent.   

If your oven just died, this is the time to switch to an induction cooktop. If you are using a gas stove, new research finds that they emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas, even when turned off. The noxious fumes that get trapped in our homes are harmful, especially for children. The latest models of induction cooktops offer unmatched power, precision and responsiveness, burn no fossil fuels, and are an absolute breeze to clean. 

If you are tired of looking through a foggy window because the seal is broken, you’ll be pleased with advancements in technology. Windows are a significant source of heat loss and solar gain. Double-pane windows are a minimum requirement for Canada but comparatively, triple pane windows are 20 to 40 per cent more energy efficient. 

According to Green Building Canada, replacing old, non-efficient windows with ENERGY-STAR-rated low-E glazed, triple-pane windows can save up to 33 percent on heating and cooling costs. Low-E film options that reduce heat loss and heat gain and can be applied to windows in good condition are also available

Upgrades like these require a financial investment but they may also qualify for rebates. Ontario’s Home Renovation Savings Program offers rebates of up to 30 per cent for home energy efficiency renovations and improvements, including new windows, doors, insulation, air sealing, smart thermostats, heat pumps, as well as rooftop solar panels and battery storage systems. 

The program will expand later this year to include energy efficient appliances, including refrigerators and freezers. Some upgrades require a home energy assessment and professional installation. 

Among the list of rebates: up to $12,000.00 for cold-climate air or ground-source heat pumps, up to $3,600.00 for exterior wall insulation and up to $10,000.00 for rooftop solar panels. You may also be eligible for federal loan funding and rebates together. The federal Canada Greener Homes Loan program offers 10-year, interest-free financing to help make homes more energy efficient, up to $40,000.00.

If you need to replace something that has stopped working, rest assured there are many options to reduce fossil fuel use, improve energy efficiency and save you money. 

Louise is a member of Greys for Green in New Tecumseth. She is interested in helping others learn how to make sustainable living the norm. Contact Greys for Green at contactus@greysforgreen.org or follow on social media.

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