HatSmart program adds rebates for highefficiency gas furnaces, home audits

An energy conservation grant program in Medicine Hat will add rebates in 2021 for new high-efficiency gas furnaces and pay partial costs of home audits, the city’s utility department announced on Thursday.

HatSmart applications are now being accepted for grants totalling $325,000. Money is available for applications filed before year-end or until the fund is completely expended.

City utility customers who apply can also receive up to $6,000 toward the installation of solar photovoltaic panels (calculated at $1 per watt of generating capacity). That maximum amount is $1,000 more than was available from the 2020 program.

Remaining unchanged for new home builders is a potential grant of up to $10,000 to make new home designs more energy efficient. Money is awarded on a sliding scale of $100 per gigajoule of energy saved based on a federal government and Energuide rating system.

Those who purchase new higher efficiency air conditioners or furnaces can apply for a $350 rebate on qualifying models. The program will also put up to $400 toward home energy evaluations and audits.