Newfoundland and Labrador home energy rebates & savings guide

Most homes in Newfoundland and Labrador heat with electric baseboards or oil, which makes heat pumps one of the best upgrades in the province. Solar is a slower payback because of cloudy weather and moderate electricity prices. This guide explains how homeowners in Newfoundland and Labrador can save on energy and which home energy rebates and upgrades make sense.

Use the heat pump calculator or the home energy estimator, then check current programs on the Newfoundland and Labrador rebates page.

Electricity in Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland Power serves most homes on the island, and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro serves Labrador and many rural areas. Most of the province's electricity comes from hydro, with some remote communities on diesel. An all-in rate of roughly $0.155 per kWh sits a little below the Canadian average, and there is essentially no residential natural gas.

Heating: what pays off

Electric baseboards are the most common heating system in the province, followed by oil and wood. A cold-climate heat pump at a typical seasonal COP of 2.2 to 3.0 uses roughly a third to a half of the electricity of baseboards for the same heat, and costs much less to run than oil at about $1.65 per litre.

The island's mild, windy, damp winters suit air-source heat pumps, while Labrador's deep cold calls for careful sizing and reliable backup heat. The federal Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program is open in the province. See the ductless mini-split guide and switching from oil heat.

Solar outlook

Solar is a slower investment in Newfoundland and Labrador. Yields are at the lower end of the Canadian range because of cloud and fog, and electricity prices are moderate. At typical installed costs of $2.40 to $3.30 per watt, payback often runs close to two decades.

Newfoundland Power and NL Hydro offer net metering for small home systems, and terms can change. Confirm the current rules with your utility and run the solar calculator before getting quotes.

Tips for Newfoundland and Labrador homes

• If you heat with baseboards, add a ductless heat pump to your main living area to cut winter electricity use.
• Check takeCHARGE NL for current heat pump, insulation and thermostat rebates and confirm amounts before you buy.
• Oil-heated homes may qualify for the federal Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program, which is open in the province.
• Seal drafts around windows and doors before winter, since strong winds drive air leakage in coastal homes.
• Install programmable thermostats on baseboard heaters to set back rooms you are not using.