For full program details and requirements, please download our Program Guidelines.
The Enhanced Energy Savings Program (EESP) is open to all eligible New Brunswick homeowners, regardless of how they heat their homes.
Three important criteria are used to determine eligibility:
No, the Enhanced Energy Savings Program is open to all eligible New Brunswick homeowners, regardless of energy provider (Saint John Energy, Perth Andover Light Commission and Edmundston Energy, etc.).
Complete the online registration form.
Upgrades are recommended based on a Pre-Upgrade Evaluation by a certified Energy Advisor. All upgrades require approval by NB Power and are determined based on energy efficiency and savings.
Eligible Homeowners will be approved by NB Power for one or more recommended upgrades, where appropriate for the home in question such as the addition of insulation in the basement, crawl space, exposed floor, attic and exterior walls; upgrading of the heating systems and ventilation for air quality or humidity issues – all to help reduce energy consumption and improve the comfort of the home. Homes may qualify for some or all of the potential upgrades at no cost to the homeowner.
Yes, you must own the home and live in it. Eligible participants must be the legal owners, as registered with Service New Brunswick, and live in the home on a year-round basis as their primary residence.
Homes may qualify for some or all the potential upgrades at no cost to the Homeowner.
You can benefit from both Enhanced Energy Savings Program and Total Home Energy Savings Program. Programs must be completed one at a time.
If you are currently enrolled in the Total Home Energy Savings Program and have started your upgrades, it is recommended to complete the Total Home Energy Savings Program and receive your Total Home program incentives from NB Power before registering for the Enhanced Energy Savings Program.
If you have not started your Total Home Energy Savings Program upgrades, you may withdraw from the Total Home Energy Savings Program and apply for the Enhanced Energy Savings Program. It’s important to note the cost of your evaluation cannot be reimbursed.
If you received funding from the Department of Social Development, you are eligible to participate.
You are still eligible to be considered to participate in the Enhanced Energy Savings Program.
You are not eligible to participate if you are not the rightful owner of the home.
Spouses or common-law partners who are income splitting (which can affect Line 15000 on your Notice of Assessment), must submit copies or photos of the full CRA T1 Income Tax Return for both adults, and the Notice of Assessment.
If you meet the eligibility requirements for the Enhanced Energy Savings Program and rely on electric or oil heating as the primary heating source throughout your house, a heat pump may be recommended.
No, the heat pumps are only one of many potential upgrades in the Enhanced Energy Savings Program. The Program targets homes in need of energy efficiency upgrades, especially those needing insulation and air sealing. The upgrades recommended for your home will be determined at the time of the energy evaluation.
All heat pumps provided through the EESP will have a warranty for parts and labour.
Customers are responsible for regular filter cleanings (we’ll provide information to help guide you) and keeping the outdoor area around your heat pump clean and free of snow/ice build up.
The size and quantity of heat pumps will be based on the expert assessment of your home and can be impacted by square footage and floor plans. In some cases, one heat pump will be installed.
During your home visit, the contractor will determine what is needed to install your heat pump. In some cases, a new electrical, subpanel (pony panel), or new service mast may be required and the cost will be covered by NB Power. If additional upgrades are required to safely add a heat pump, the cost would be the responsibility of the homeowner.
Homes serviced by underground wiring that require upgrading do not fall within the scope of the EESP. If a contractor determines that an electrical panel upgrade is required to install a new heating system and there is underground wiring, the contractor will discuss available options such as the homeowner choosing to upgrade the underground wiring at their expense or exploring other heating upgrades that do not require a panel upgrade.
Heat pumps heat, cool and dehumidify your home, keeping you comfortable year-round. They can also save money and energy as they’re much more efficient than traditional heating methods.
The effect a newly installed heat pump will have on your heating costs varies based on the size, floor plan and your personal usage/temperature settings. We’ll be providing resources to homeowners on how to use your mini-split most efficiently to help you manage your heating and cooling costs.
Anyone who already has a heat pump installed in their home may be eligible for a heat pump.
We are pleased to expand our contractor network with the addition of qualified Service Organizations and Contractors. Customers accepted in the Enhanced Energy Savings Program (EESP) can now select both their preferred Service Organization,HVAC and Insulation contractor from those operating in their geographic zone and based on the recommended upgrades.
After an application is approved and processed, customers accepted in the EESP will be contacted by NB Power to select their Service Organization and Contractors. We cannot accept selections before an application is approved.
The full list of NB Power approved contractors can be accessed here.
EESP participants may be able to keep their wood heating system as a backup if they are approved for a heating upgrade. The upgrade contractor will determine if keeping the wood heating system is an option.
The cost of purchasing electric water heaters is not within the scope of the EESP, and NB Power will not be responsible for the cost of terminating existing water heater rental agreements.
If approved for a heating upgrade, homeowners with oil-fired water heaters will be required to replace this with an electric water heater to be eligible for a heating upgrade. This is because your oil tank will be removed and your oil-fired water heater will no longer have a fuel source. Homeowners have the option of renting an efficient electric water heater through their utility or purchasing an electric water at their own expense.
Once approved for a heating upgrade, the EESP upgrade contractor will notify homeowners they will need to contact their utility for an electric water heater rental or to purchase an electric water heater and hire a plumber to have it installed. If the existing oil-fired water heater is a rental, the homeowner will need to contact their water heater rental company to terminate their rental agreement.
Homeowners are permitted to decline upgrades they do not want and will have an opportunity to review and sign their consent to the work with each contractor before upgrades can begin. However some upgrades may be required before other upgrades can be complete.
The EESP does not replace existing, functional Homeowner-owned heat pumps. Malfunctioning Homeowner-owned heat pumps may be eligible for repair through the EESP. Homeowner-owned heat pumps that cannot be repaired may be eligible for replacement under the EESP at the discretion and determination of the HVAC Contractors.
The EESP does not repair or replace rental heat pumps.
The EESP does not repair or replace air to water or geothermal heat pumps.
The Enhanced Energy Savings Program (EESP) targets homes in need of energy efficiency upgrades, especially those needing insulation and air sealing. We rely on the home assessment to determine the heating load of the home and what type of heating options would work best. The intent of expanded Enhanced Energy Savings Program and the Government of New Brunswick is to transition from oil heating and completely remove the oil heating system. Only when conditions prevent removing the system, would it be left in place. This will be determined by the contractor and NB Power.
To participate in the Enhanced Energy Savings Program your original oil heating system will be safely removed by the contractor. This is a requirement to participate in the program.
Yes, you can still apply.
Unfortunately, the Enhanced Energy Savings Program funding would not apply to recent oil purchases. The EESP can place your file on hold if requested until your oil is reduced.
Contractors will safely dispose of oil in your tank.
Anyone who already has a heat pump installed in their home may be eligible for a heat pump.
Your original oil heating system will be safely removed by the contractor. This is a requirement to participate in the program.
We encourage all customers to ensure their heating system is in good working order as we cannot guarantee when the oil transition will occur.
You can either proceed with the approved HVAC upgrades right away or we can put your file on hold until the oil in your tank is low. You will not lose your spot in the EESP.
Removing the existing heating system will disqualify your home from receiving a heating upgrade through the EESP. To be eligible for a heating upgrade, the home must first be evaluated by the EESP Service Organization, then approved by NB Power, and the existing heating system safely removed by an NB Power contractor.
The Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) Program is part of the Canada Greener Homes Initiative and assists Canadians in switching from oil heating to an electric cold-climate heat pump.
The Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program provides up to $5,000 in funding.
The Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program is available to those households that heat by oil and qualify as median income and below, after tax.
The Enhanced Energy Savings Program is open to New Brunswick homeowners with an annual combined household income at or below $70,000, regardless of how they heat their homes. The program targets homes in need of energy efficiency upgrades, especially those needing insulation and air sealing at no cost to customers.
If you are eligible for the Enhanced Energy Savings Program and your home is heated with an electric or oil heating system and does not already have a heat pump, one may be recommended as part of the home’s upgrades.
Participants cannot be registered in both programs.
For more information on the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program including eligibility click here.
If you will only be pursuing the federal Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program, you can visit the website for more information and to enroll. No energy audit is required.
If you want an energy audit to see what other improvements you can do to make your home more energy efficient and to access extra incentives, you should register for NB Power’s Total Home Energy Savings Program or the Enhanced Energy Saving Program. Remember, if you are participating in the Total Home Energy Savings Program, don’t purchase or install your new heat pump until you have had the energy audit on your home.
For more information on the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program including eligibility click here.
NB Power’s Enhanced Energy Savings Program offers a home energy assessment and recommended upgrades to those who qualify. This could but does not always include a heat pump. All efficiency upgrades are free of charge to the customer as part of the EESP. For more information visit our website.
