Quebec is progressively switching their mindset from fossil fuel energy to cleaner forms of energy, and is especially focusing its policies towards efficient usage of electricity.

It is Quebec’s government plan to reduce oil consumption in Quebec by 40 per cent by 2030, not only in transportation systems, but also buildings and businesses.

 

INCENTIVE PROGRAMS FOR COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS

Hydro-Quebec on its own has several programs to reward efficiency.  More importantly, and in an effort to help reducing energy consumption in Quebec during winter’s high demand hours, Hydro Quebec created their Demand Response Program, a very generous offer that was designed to give companies the opportunity to propose a strategy that would allow them to reduce their buildings’ power demand during Hydro-Quebec’s winter peaks (early in the morning and late afternoon). In return, the company may receive financial assistance from Hydro-Quebec.

Watch the following video to know more about this program:

 

 

Commercial buildings will, therefore, face the challenge of implementing electric heating systems that are energy efficient. Running on electricity alone does not guarantee energy efficiency. The choice of an electric heating system should consider some aspects, such as:

  • The system should be designed to charge (energize) during off-peak electricity periods and to be able to store energy for use during on-peak demand, in order to save in energy costs, if you are considering benefiting from the Demand Response program;
  • The system should be conceived to operate in such a way that no energy is wasted;
  • The system should be able to be safely and efficiently used even in the most hazardous areas, being safeguarded from mechanical harm, corrosive chemicals, or moisture;
  • The system should allow for each zone’s temperature to be programmed individually, in order to minimize operating costs.

 

THE SMART UNDER SLAB RADIANT HEATING SYSTEM

Conventional systems relying on air as the medium to transfer energy (forced air systems and baseboards) are far from being efficient.  Most of the heat or hot air they generate ends up rising to the ceiling.  Moreover, they do not have the capacity to capitalize on Hydro-Quebec’s incentive program, as hot air does not create any thermal mass that can keep the space warm during high demand hours, as it does not heat objects, and it tends to be vulnerable to infiltration and exfiltration, as air keeps moving.  In contrast, our Under Slab Radiant Heating (Earth Thermal Storage) is one of the most suitable and most efficient electric heating systems for commercial buildings.

Watch the following video to learn how it works:

 

Under the Hydro Quebec’s Demand Response Program, you will have a return on investment of less than four years on the Under Slab Radiant Heating system, not considering the efficiency and other operational costs, such as maintenance and replacement parts.

Find out more about the under slab radiant heating system

 

Verify the eligibility of the project you’re working on for Hydro Quebec’s Demand Response (DR) program. Hydro Quebec is committed to pay you $70 per kW of power demand reduction (difference between the reference power and the real power). Please note that eligibility is at the discretion of Hydro Quebec.

Check your eligibility

 

INCENTIVE PROGRAMS FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS

Hydro Quebec is also developing strategies to motivate residential customers to help them reduce their electricity needs at times when demand is high, by offering compensation accordingly. Hydro Quebec created the Dynamic pricing, with new rate offerings which will apply starting in winter 2019–2020. This initiative is meant to enable customers to save money by reducing their electricity use in critical peak periods, at the request of Hydro Quebec. Quebec residents must be aware of the meaning of peak and off-peak periods and take advantage of such initiatives, which can significantly reduce their energy bills, even in a province where energy rates are comparably lower. To know more about this initiative from Hydro Quebec, please visit their website.

FIND OUT THE RIGHT RADIANT HEATING SYSTEM FOR YOUR HOME

In order to prepare to efficiently save in energy and program your heating system to do so, during peak and off-peak periods, as well as to know more about heating systems that can help you reduce your energy bills and achieve greater comfort in your home, visit our section on residential radiant heating systems.

 

We are committed to help you find the solutions that will help you save in energy and improve your life quality and comfort indoors, be it at home or at work, always keeping in mind the environment and the building’s footprint.

Talk to us for advice

 

References:

*National Post, https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/legault-announces-plan-to-electrify-quebecs-economy-reduce-oil-consumption

#ppsShowPopUp_102Contact