Governments are hot on heat pumps, but some in northern Ontario still see a future in fossil fuels

Governments are trying to cut down on the greenhouse emissions that come from keeping northern Ontario homes warm through the winter.

And they see heat pumps as the way to do it. 

This week, the federal government unveiled a program offering $5,000 dollars for those who switch from an oil furnace to a electric heat pump.

Valerie McIntyre of Manitoulin Island would love to get off of heating oil.

She says it's partly to help the environment and war-torn oil-producing countries, but also because it's burning up a lot more of her household budget these days.

"We'd spend $800 to a $1,000 in heat and then last year we spent two thousand in heat," said McIntyre, who lives on the Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation. 

"And I know a lot of people are spending double that."

She would love to put in a geothermal system, but the $25,000 cost is too much and she's not sure a heat pump, which can run upwards of $10,000, would be worth it.

The Ontario government is also trying to get people to put in heat pumps, offering up to $4,500 in select cities, including Sault Ste. Marie.

Steve Filioglou, the comfort advisor at DNM Heating and Cooling, says it's only for people with a natural gas furnace and they need a smart thermostat so Enbridge can monitor how well the two systems are working together.

"Our phones have been ringing off the hook getting quotes and educating customers," he said, adding that there are 250 grants available under this program in the Sault and his company has already installed 141. 

"Your helping with your carbon footprint, too right? I think a lot of people are seeing how the world is shifting right now."

At Superior Home Comfort in Sault Ste. Marie, manager Nick Huizing says there's been a lot of interest in heat pumps, but not a lot of sales.

He's been in the home heating business for 45 years and remembers when the government was offering grants for people in Sault Ste. Marie to move from heating oil to natural gas, which only came to the city in the 1970s.