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Energy demand in Ontario is rising,
and so are your energy bills.

Learn how you can cut your costs, and be less dependent on the grid — in 5 simple steps.

Why Ensola?

The information exists. The programs exist.
The bridge between them does not.

Ontario homeowners and businesses want to participate in the energy transition but do not know what they qualify for, what it actually costs, or who to trust. Ensola is a free, independent platform that answers those questions with real numbers tailored to your utility, your bill, and your property.

🏠

Tailored to your home

Based on your actual bill, utility, and property type

💰

Real savings numbers

Solar, battery, EV, heat pump — all calculated for Ontario

🎯

Programs you could qualify for

HRSP, iZEV, net metering, Enbridge — personalized

📊

10-year outlook

What you save vs the cost of doing nothing

Start My Free Assessment →

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Assessment — Step 01 of 05

WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST PRIORITY?

Pick the one that resonates most — we will personalise your report from here.

📈I want to lower my energy bills

🔋I want to be less dependent on the grid

🤔I've heard about solar and energy storage but do not know if it makes sense for me

💸I want to learn about my energy usage and how my bill works

Assessment — Step 02 of 05

Where do you live, and
what do you pay?

Your location and bill help us match your exact utility, rate tiers, and available programs.

Postal code — used to confirm your utility territory

Your area / utility — determines your exact rate tiers

Average monthly electricity bill — check your last 3 months

$

Average monthly gas bill — leave blank if you do not use gas or are not sure

$

Assessment — Step 03 of 05

Tell us about your property

Home type affects roof capacity, service panel requirements, and which rebate streams you qualify for.

🏠

Detached Home

House with your own roof

🏘️

Semi / Townhouse

Attached or row home

🏢

Condo / Apartment

Suite in a building

🏗️

New Build

Under construction

🏭

Business / Commercial

Warehouse, office, retail

Assessment — Step 04 of 05

What do you use energy for in your home?

Select everything that currently runs in your home — this helps us size your system and identify where the biggest savings are.

❄️

Central A/C

🔥

Electric Heat

🏠

Gas Heat

Furnace / boiler

🍳

Gas Stove

Gas range / cooktop

♨️

Heat Pump

🚗

Electric Vehicle

🏊

Pool / Hot Tub

💻

Home Office

Planning any future energy additions?

Select anything you're considering — we will factor these into your system sizing and recommendations.

🚗

Electric Vehicle

♨️

Heat Pump

🏊

Pool / Hot Tub

☀️

Solar Panels

🔋

Home Battery

⚡

Backup Generator

🏗️

Home Addition / Reno

🔌

Level 2 EV Charger

YOUR ONTARIO ENERGY ASSESSMENT — STEP 05 OF 06

Your options

Based on your monthly bill. Numbers are Ontario averages — your free report includes a personalized breakdown.

Your current energy spend — with no changes made

Today / month

—

5-year total

—

10-year total

—

Max potential saving

—

solar + battery, 10 years

Cost of Inaction

Do Nothing

Year 10 estimate

—

/month

Monthly savings

$0

— Electricity rates rise ~5%/year

—

— 100% grid dependent, no backup

Total energy spend — 10 years

—

Lowest Upfront · Fast Payback

Efficiency Upgrades

Year 10 estimate

—

/month

Monthly savings

—

/month

✓ Time-of-Use pricing →

✓ Ultra-Low Overnight billing →

✓ LED, thermostat & blinds →

Estimated 10-year saving

—

Maximum Saving Potential Over 10 Years

Solar + Battery System

Year 10 estimate

—

/month

Monthly savings

—

/month

✓ The right solar panels and battery for your home — bill approaches $0 some months

✓ Battery covers load peak daily

✓ Backup power during outages

✓ Protected from rate increases

✓ Net metering — earn credits back →

✓ Stack with Ultra-Low Overnight →

Estimated 10-year saving

—

⚠️ Con: highest upfront cost of the three options — best suited if you plan to stay long-term, since that's what lets you fully recoup the investment. Full cost breakdown in your report.

10-Year Cost Comparison — Total energy spend

Do Nothing —

No changes · rates rising each year

Efficiency Upgrades —

Includes efficiency upgrades · fast payback

Solar + Battery —

Net cost after install & rebates · near-zero electricity bill

Bars show total 10-year spend including upfront costs after rebates. All figures approximate — your full report includes a personalised breakdown.

Personalised recommendations, programs you qualify for, and next steps.

Understanding Your Rates — Summer 2026

Time-of-Use Pricing

Ontario's Time-of-Use (TOU) pricing means you pay different rates for electricity depending on when you use it. The idea: electricity is cheapest when demand is low (nights, weekends), and most expensive when everyone is drawing from the grid at the same time. By shifting when you run appliances, you pay less without using less.

On-Peak

20.3¢

Weekdays
11AM–5PM

Mid-Peak

15.7¢

Weekdays
7–11AM & 5–7PM

Off-Peak

9.8¢

Weekdays 7PM–7AM
+ all weekends & holidays

📋 Applies to every Ontario utility

These are Ontario Energy Board (OEB) Regulated Price Plan commodity rates, effective May 1 – October 31, 2026 (summer hours/rates — winter TOU hours differ). They apply identically at every Ontario utility, including your utility — what varies by utility is the separate delivery charge on your bill, not this rate. Rates are reset roughly every 6 months by the OEB. Separately, every residential customer automatically receives the Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER) — a ~23.5% pre-tax credit already reflected on your bill, no application needed. See current rates at oeb.ca →

What you can shift to save money:

🍽️ Dishwasher — run before 11AM, after 7PM, or overnight

👕 Washer + dryer — set a timer to run outside 11AM–5PM weekdays

🚗 EV charging — plug in at night, charge after 11PM on Ultra-Low Overnight

🌡️ Smart thermostat — pre-cool before 11AM, coast through the afternoon on-peak window

✅ How to switch: Contact your utility and ask to be enrolled in Time-of-Use pricing. It's free, takes effect on your next billing cycle, and you can switch back. Most utilities let you do it online.

Free Rate Plan — All Year

Ultra-Low Overnight Billing

Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO) is a rate plan offered by every Ontario utility that gives you an extremely low electricity rate overnight. In exchange, the weekday on-peak rate is higher than standard Time-of-Use. It's designed for EV owners and households who can shift usage overnight. These are Ontario Energy Board (OEB) Regulated Price Plan rates, current as of 2026 — see current rates at oeb.ca →

Weekdays

Mid-Peak

15.7¢

7AM–4PM & 9–11PM

On-Peak

39.1¢

4–9PM

Ultra-Low

3.9¢

11PM–7AM

Weekends & Statutory Holidays

Off-Peak

9.8¢

7AM–11PM

Ultra-Low

3.9¢

11PM–7AM

📋 These rates apply identically at every Ontario utility, including your utility — the OEB sets them province-wide and resets them roughly every 6 months. Your utility's delivery charge is separate and appears as its own line on your bill. Separately, every residential customer automatically receives the Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER) — a ~23.5% pre-tax credit already reflected on your bill, no application needed.

✅ Best for

EV owners · Dishwasher/laundry can run overnight · Pool pump · Anyone with a smart thermostat

⚠️ Not ideal if

Your household is busy 4–9PM and cannot shift · You work from home and use power all day

EV charging example: A full 60kWh EV charge overnight on Ultra-Low Overnight (3.9¢) costs $2.34. The same charge during ULO's weekday on-peak window (39.1¢) costs $23.46 — 10× more. Figures are commodity cost only and exclude delivery charges.

✅ How to switch: Contact your utility and ask to enroll in Ultra-Low Overnight billing. Free, no equipment needed, takes effect next billing cycle. All Ontario utilities are required to offer it (OEB mandate since November 2023).

Efficiency Upgrade

Heat Pumps — What They Are & How They Save You Money

A heat pump does not burn anything — it moves heat. In winter, it pulls heat from outside air and brings it inside. In summer it reverses and cools your home. One system replaces both your furnace and your air conditioner.

⚡ Why they're more efficient than gas

A gas furnace burns $1 of gas and turns ~96¢ into heat. A heat pump uses $1 of electricity and moves 2.5 to 3.5× more heat than it consumes — that is a Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 2.5–3.5. At typical Ontario electricity rates, this means the cost per unit of heat delivered is broadly similar to gas, with key advantages around the fixed gas delivery charge ($30–40/month you still pay even in summer).

✅ Advantages

✓ Replaces furnace AND air conditioner

✓ Eliminates monthly gas delivery charge

✓ Works to -25°C (modern cold-climate models)

✓ Can be powered by solar — heating near-free

✓ No combustion = better indoor air quality

✓ HRSP rebate up to $7,500

⚠️ Considerations

— Higher upfront cost than replacing furnace alone

— May need 200A panel if not already upgraded

— On coldest days (-25°C+), a gas backup helps

— Not all installers are HVAC licensed for gas removal

💰 Rebates available (2026)

✅ HRSP — up to $7,500 for cold-climate air-source heat pump

✅ 0% Canada Greener Homes Loan — closed Oct 2025 — check NRCan for any successor program

✅ Ask about Enbridge programs — may still offer upgrade incentives

Typical installed cost before rebates: $9,000–$18,000. After HRSP: $1,500–$10,500. Estimated payback: 4–8 years.

Hybrid systems: Many Ontario homeowners install a heat pump alongside their existing gas furnace as a backup. The heat pump handles ~85–90% of the heating season. On the coldest days, gas kicks in. This gives the best balance of efficiency and comfort, and means you do not need to remove your gas line immediately.

⏱️ Longevity & warranty — heat pump vs gas furnace

Gas Furnace

Lifespan: 15–25 years

Warranty (heat exchanger): 20 years (typical)

Warranty (parts): 5–10 years

Also requires: annual service + A/C unit separately

Replacement cost: $4,000–$8,000

Cold Climate Heat Pump

Lifespan: 15–20 years

Warranty (compressor): 10 years (typical)

Warranty (parts): 5–7 years

Also covers: heating and cooling in one unit

Replacement cost: $9,000–$18,000 (but replaces furnace + A/C)

The timing opportunity: The best time to replace your furnace with a heat pump is before it fails — ideally when it is 15+ years old or showing signs of inefficiency. Emergency furnace replacement in winter is expensive and limits your options. Planning ahead means you can choose the right system, access the HRSP rebate, and avoid a rushed decision.

🔥 If you also have a gas stove or gas water heater — what else needs to change?

Replacing the furnace with a heat pump is a huge step — but if you still have a gas stove and gas water heater, you keep your gas line and account. That means you still pay the fixed monthly delivery charge (~$30–40/month) even if your gas consumption drops dramatically.

Gas stove: You can keep it indefinitely — you don't have to change it. If you eventually want to eliminate the gas bill entirely, an induction cooktop is the replacement. Induction is faster than gas, more precise, and safer (no combustion, no CO). A quality induction range costs $800–2,500. This is optional and can be done whenever you're ready.

Gas water heater: This is the piece most people forget. A heat pump water heater (HPWH) is the electrification path — it pulls heat from surrounding air to heat water, using 3–4× less electricity than a standard electric tank. Cost installed: $1,200–2,000. HRSP covers up to $1,000 for a heat pump water heater and can be claimed alongside your space heating heat pump rebate in the same application.

✅ The full electrification sequence

1. Heat pump replaces furnace + A/C → biggest bill reduction, HRSP up to $7,500

2. Heat pump water heater replaces gas tank → HRSP up to $1,000, same application

3. At end of stove life, switch to induction → optional, whenever you're ready

4. Cancel the gas line entirely → fixed monthly charge eliminated permanently

Steps 1 and 2 can be done at the same time or years apart. Most Ontario homeowners do 1 first and 2 when their water heater needs replacing anyway.

Quick Wins — No Trades Required

LED Lighting, Smart Thermostat & Blinds

These are the fastest, cheapest ways to reduce your electricity and heating bills. Most can be done in a weekend with zero professional help.

💡

LED Lighting

$100–$300 to upgrade

LED bulbs use 75–90% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 15–25 years. Replacing your 10 most-used bulbs typically saves $80–$150/year. Many utilities (including your utility) offer LED rebate programs — check their website for current offers. Bonus: less heat generated = lower A/C load in summer.

🌡️

Smart Thermostat

$150–$300 installed

A smart thermostat learns your schedule and automatically reduces heating/cooling when you're away or asleep. Average saving: $150–$250/year on heating and cooling. On Time-of-Use pricing, it can automatically pre-heat or pre-cool your home before on-peak hours and coast through the expensive 5–7PM window. Ecobee and Nest are the most common Ontario-compatible models. Some utilities offer a $75–100 rebate on installation.

🪟

Blinds, Curtains & Window Film

$50–$500

Thermal or blackout curtains reduce heat loss in winter and block solar gain in summer. In older homes, windows can account for 25–30% of heating energy loss. Heavy curtains typically save $100–$200/year on heating. Solar window film (applied to glass, $5–8/sq ft) blocks summer heat and cuts A/C costs. Not glamorous — but genuinely effective, especially in older Ontario homes.

💰 Combined estimated saving

Doing all three — LED retrofit + smart thermostat + thermal blinds — typically saves $350–$600/year with a total investment of $400–$1,000. Payback: under 2 years in most Ontario homes. These upgrades reduce your baseline load, which means any future solar system you add needs fewer panels to cover your consumption.

With Your Solar System

Net Metering — Earn Credits for Excess Power

When your solar panels produce more electricity than your home is using — common on sunny days — that excess flows back to the grid. Your utility tracks it and gives you a bill credit at the same rate you'd pay for that electricity. It's a trade: power you export today becomes credit you draw on at night, in winter, or on cloudy weeks.

1

Solar powers your home first

Every kWh your panels generate goes to your home before touching the grid. You only draw from the grid if panels and battery cannot cover demand.

2

Excess flows to the grid

On a sunny afternoon when your panels are generating but nobody's home, surplus power flows back through your meter to your utility's grid.

3

You get a bill credit — at full retail rate

Your utility credits your account at the same rate you'd pay to buy that electricity. Credits roll forward month to month for up to 12 months, then reset. Surplus summer generation typically covers your winter bills.

✅ Net metering and HRSP grants — you can get both

Net metering is a billing arrangement, not a grant program. It does not affect your eligibility for the HRSP solar rebate (up to $5,000 for panels, up to $5,000 for battery). You apply for HRSP before installation, connect to net metering as part of the installation process, and receive both independently. Your installer handles the net metering application — it is part of the standard grid connection.

📊 What your savings stack looks like

Solar panels eliminate direct electricity use—

Battery avoids 4–9PM on-peak purchases—

Net metering credits (estimated surplus export)—

Estimated total monthly saving—

Net metering credit estimate assumes ~20% of solar generation exported. Actual figure depends on your usage pattern, home orientation, and panel count.

⚠️ What net metering credits do not cover

Credits only offset your electricity consumption charges — not delivery, regulatory fees, or HST. These fixed charges make up 40–60% of a typical Ontario bill and remain even when you're running entirely on solar. Your bill will not reach zero — but your electricity consumption line can. For rural Hydro One customers, delivery charges can exceed the electricity charge itself. Your installer should show you a post-solar bill estimate that accounts for this.

Stacking tip: Net metered customers can still choose Ultra-Low Overnight billing. Your panels generate credits at the mid-peak rate during the day, and you draw power at the much lower overnight rate — the combination maximises the value of every kWh your system produces. Check your utility's current published rates for the exact figures.

Electrification Guide

Phasing Out Gas with a Heat Pump

Replacing your furnace with a heat pump is the biggest step — but if you also have a gas stove or gas water heater, you keep your gas line and its fixed monthly charge until you address those too. Here is how the full sequence works.

1

Heat pump replaces furnace + A/C

A cold-climate heat pump moves heat rather than burning fuel. In winter it pulls warmth from outside air (down to -25°C). In summer it reverses and cools. One system replaces both your furnace and air conditioner. Heating costs drop 40–60%. The monthly gas delivery charge stays — for now — unless you remove the gas line.

HRSP: Up to $7,500 — apply before signing any purchase order.

2

Heat pump water heater replaces gas tank

A heat pump water heater pulls warmth from surrounding air to heat water — the same principle as your space heater. It uses 3–4× less electricity than a standard electric tank. Most Ontario homes use a 50-gallon unit. Cost installed: $1,200–2,000. This is the step most people do when their gas water heater needs replacing anyway — it is a natural swap.

HRSP: Up to $1,000 for heat pump water heater — claimable in the same application as your space heating rebate.

3

Gas stove → induction (when you're ready)

You can keep your gas stove as long as you like — there is no urgency here. When you are ready, induction is the replacement. Induction heats faster than gas, gives more precise temperature control, and has no combustion — no CO risk, no particulates. A quality induction range costs $800–2,500. This step is optional and can happen years after everything else.

4

Cancel the gas line — fixed charge gone permanently

Once steps 1–3 are done, you have no gas-consuming appliances. Contact Enbridge to cancel your gas service. The ~$30–40/month fixed delivery charge disappears from your bill permanently. Combined with your solar generation and heat pump efficiency, your total energy costs can drop dramatically.

Timing tip: Steps 1 and 2 can be done at the same time or years apart. Most homeowners do step 2 when their gas water heater naturally reaches end of life — typically 10–15 years. There is no need to rush it. Step 3 follows at the end of stove life. The key is having a plan so each replacement goes toward electrification rather than a like-for-like gas replacement.

EV vs Gas Cost Calculator

What would an EV actually cost you?

Compare your current fuel costs to EV charging costs on Ontario rates. Includes iZEV rebate and Ultra-Low Overnight charging.

⛽ Your Current Gas Vehicle

Your vehicle — type to search NRCan fuel economy data

Average fuel consumption (L/100km)

Or select a similar vehicle

Monthly km driven

Gas price ($/L)

Monthly fuel cost

—

⚡ Electric Vehicle

EV you're considering — type to search NRCan efficiency data

Average EV efficiency (kWh/100km)

Or select a similar vehicle

Charging rate

Illustrative rate tiers — check your utility's current published rates for exact figures.

Monthly charging cost

—

Monthly saving

—

Annual saving

—

iZEV rebate available

$5,000

Get In Touch

Contact Ensola

Have a question about your assessment, want to learn more about your energy options, or just want to get in touch? We would love to hear from you.

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Ensola — Ontario Energy Assessment Platform

ensola.ca · contact@ensola.ca

Business Energy Solutions

Thinking of making your
business more energy efficient?

Whether you run a landscaping company, a retail space, a warehouse, or a professional office — energy costs are one of the few operating expenses you can actually control. Ensola works with Ontario business owners to identify practical opportunities to reduce consumption, lower bills, and in some cases generate your own power.

☀️

Solar Panels for Your Property

If your business owns or leases a property with a suitable roof or land, solar panels can offset a significant portion of your daytime electricity consumption — which is when most businesses draw the most power. Unlike residential, commercial daytime usage aligns almost perfectly with solar peak generation hours.

Example: A landscaping company with a shop and storage yard installs a 20kW rooftop system. The array powers the office, tool charging, and lighting. Net metering credits cover weekend and overnight grid draw. Electricity bill drops by 60–80%.

🔋

Battery Storage & Demand Management

Commercial electricity bills include a demand charge — a fee based on your peak draw in any 15-minute window during the month. A battery system can shave that peak by drawing stored energy instead of pulling from the grid at your highest-consumption moments. This alone can reduce commercial bills by 15–25% with no change in usage.

Example: A small manufacturing shop runs heavy equipment in the morning. A 30kWh battery pre-charges overnight at off-peak rates and discharges during startup, flattening the demand spike on the utility meter.

🏕️

Off-Grid & Remote Property Applications

For remote worksites, agricultural properties, seasonal operations, or secondary locations where utility connection is expensive or impractical, a solar-plus-battery off-grid system can power operations entirely independently. Generator fuel costs alone often justify the investment within 3–5 years.

Example: A landscaping or construction company powers a remote site office, tool trailer, and lighting with a portable or fixed solar-battery system — eliminating generator fuel, noise, and maintenance.

🔍

Energy Audits & Load Analysis

Before any capital investment, understanding where your energy actually goes is essential. A professional energy audit identifies your highest-draw equipment, your peak demand windows, and the specific opportunities unique to your operation. Most businesses find 15–30% in savings through operational changes alone before spending anything on equipment.

Ensola can help: We work with you to map your current consumption, identify the highest-impact opportunities, and connect you with the right certified energy advisors and contractors for your sector.

📉

Lowering Your Operating Energy Costs

Rate optimization, equipment upgrades (LED lighting, HVAC, compressed air systems), and load-shifting to off-peak hours are available to every Ontario business on a time-of-use commercial rate. Many of these changes require no capital and take effect immediately.

Quick wins: Lighting retrofits typically pay back in under 18 months. HVAC scheduling and compressed air pressure optimization can cut 10–20% of total consumption. Smart metering gives you visibility into exactly when and where you are spending.

Ready to explore?

Let's talk about your business

Every business is different. Tell us about your operation and we'll identify which energy opportunities make the most sense for your situation — at no cost.

No obligation. No sales pitch. Just a conversation.

Energy Savings Checklist · Ontario

What could you save?

Toggle each solution on or off and watch your estimated annual savings update in real time. Every number is Ontario-specific — actual rates, real rebates, no marketing fluff.

Your monthly electricity bill:

$ / month

Your Selected Savings

$0 / year

$0 / month · Toggle items below to build your savings

0 solutions selected

$0 in available rebates

Energy demand in Ontario is rising,
and so are your energy bills.

The information exists. The programs exist.
The bridge between them does not.

WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST PRIORITY?

Where do you live, and
what do you pay?

Tell us about your property

What do you use energy for in your home?

Planning any future energy additions?

Your options

Time-of-Use Pricing

Ultra-Low Overnight Billing

Heat Pumps — What They Are & How They Save You Money

LED Lighting, Smart Thermostat & Blinds

Net Metering — Earn Credits for Excess Power

Phasing Out Gas with a Heat Pump

Your summary & report

Get your free personalised report

What would an EV actually cost you?

Contact Ensola

Thinking of making your
business more energy efficient?

Let's talk about your business

What could you save?

Privacy Policy & Data Sources

What we collect

Why we collect it

Where your submission goes

Your choices

About the numbers you see

Contact

Energy demand in Ontario is rising,and so are your energy bills.

The information exists. The programs exist.The bridge between them does not.

WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST PRIORITY?

Where do you live, andwhat do you pay?

Tell us about your property

What do you use energy for in your home?

Planning any future energy additions?

Your options

Time-of-Use Pricing

Ultra-Low Overnight Billing

Heat Pumps — What They Are & How They Save You Money

LED Lighting, Smart Thermostat & Blinds

Net Metering — Earn Credits for Excess Power

Phasing Out Gas with a Heat Pump

Your summary & report

Get your free personalised report

What would an EV actually cost you?

Contact Ensola

Thinking of making yourbusiness more energy efficient?

Let's talk about your business

What could you save?

Privacy Policy & Data Sources

What we collect

Why we collect it

Where your submission goes

Your choices

About the numbers you see

Contact

Energy demand in Ontario is rising,
and so are your energy bills.

The information exists. The programs exist.
The bridge between them does not.

Where do you live, and
what do you pay?

Thinking of making your
business more energy efficient?