First Nations Furnace Replacement Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions 

  1. Overview
  2. Eligibility Criteria
  3. Eligible Units
  4. Rebates
  5. Program Application Process
  6. Additional Terms & Conditions
  7. Documentation
  8. Contact Information

1. Overview

  1. The First Nations Furnace Replacement Rebate ("the Program") administered by SaskEnergy Incorporated ("SaskEnergy") is designed to stimulate investment in high-efficiency furnaces ("the Unit(s)") that will reduce natural gas, electrical usage and associated operating costs, reduce the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
  2. The Program will replace existing, operational furnaces with an efficiency rating below 90% annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) with new, high-efficiency Unit(s) in homes on First Nation (on-reserve) in Saskatchewan. The Program offers a rebate payment to partially offset the purchase price of higher efficiency Units.
  3. Applicants will be considered housing manager(s), housing administrators(s) working on behalf of the First Nation Band, and homeowners of on-reserve homes in Saskatchewan (each an "Applicant").
  4. The Program application period begins August 23, 2023, and is available until March 31, 2026, or until the Program's budget has been exhausted, whichever occurs first. SaskEnergy may change or cancel the Program at any time, without notice, at its discretion.
  5. Approved Applicants choose a gas contractor to complete the furnace installations (the "Contractor"). Units must be installed by a gas contractor (the "Contractor") with a valid Domestic, General, or Employer license through the Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan ("TSASK").

2. Eligibility Criteria

  1. The Application for Pre-Approval must be executed by the Applicant, being the housing manager, housing administrator or homeowner.
  2. Only homes are eligible. This includes row housing and duplex units that are each metered separately with a dedicated meter. 
  3. The home must be located on a First Nation (on-reserve).
  4. The home must have an individual furnace, and the furnace must be part of the primary space heating system for the home.
  5. The existing, under 90% AFUE, furnace in the home must be operational.
  6. Garage structures are not eligible. Attached garages are not eligible.
  7. A home is eligible for one furnace rebate.
  8. Unit(s) installed in new construction are not eligible.
  9. Unit(s) covered by manufacturers' warranty are not eligible.
  10. Unit(s) covered by insurance claims are not eligible.
  11. Unit(s) must be installed in accordance with the Program process, after the Applicant is pre-approved by SaskEnergy.
  12. All final applications and required paperwork must be received within 6 months of installation of the new Unit. SaskEnergy is unable to process any applications or paperwork after this date.
  13. If an Applicant is approved for the Program, the Applicant will not be eligible to receive the SaskEnergy Residential Equipment Replacement Rebate for the same equipment. 
  14. Should an Applicant receive the Residential Equipment Replacement Rebate but also qualify for the First Nations Furnace Replacement Rebate, the Applicant will be eligible for a top up to their eligible rebate amount.

3. Eligible Units

  1. Eligible Units must be:
    • a 95.0% - 96.9% AFUE natural gas furnace; or
    • a 97.0%+ AFUE natural gas furnace.
  2. All Unit(s) must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and must comply with the applicable laws, codes, standards, and ordinances.
  3. The Contractor is responsible for the disposal or recycling of the old furnace.
  4. All Unit(s) must use natural gas.
  5. All Unit(s) must be new. Used or rebuilt Unit(s) will not qualify.

4. Rebates  

  1. Furnace rebate will be calculated as follows:
    • $2,000 for each 95.0% - 96.9% AFUE natural gas furnace; OR
    • $3,000 for each 97.0%+ AFUE natural gas furnace.

5. Program Application Process

Step 1

  1. Applicant(s) will contact SaskEnergy Customer Solutions at @email with an email address and phone number of the main contact.
  2. SaskEnergy will provide an Application for Pre-Approval to Applicants.
  3. Applicants will submit the Application for Pre-Approval containing a list of addresses of the home(s) they want to participate in the Program. Eligibility for the Program will be determined by the details provided in the Application for Pre-Approval describing the existing furnace in the home(s).
  4. SaskEnergy will approve the application based on furnace eligibility.
  5. Applicants will be notified of pre-approval by mail or email.

Step 2

  1. Applicants will work with a Contractor to have the new Unit(s) installed. 
    • Within 6 months of the completion of the furnace replacement, Applicant will send a copy of the sales invoice(s) including Contractor's name and address; Applicant name; installation address(es); make and model of the installed Unit(s); and date of installation to @email.
  2. If approved by SaskEnergy, a cheque for the rebate will be mailed to the Applicant within 3-6 weeks after receiving all required documentation.

6. Additional Terms & Conditions

  1. To be eligible for the furnace rebate under the Program, each Applicant and each Unit must satisfy the eligibility and other requirements set out in the Program terms and conditions as listed herein.
  2. Program funding is limited. SaskEnergy, in its sole discretion, reserves the right at any time to limit the number of rebates, and/or the amount of rebate, payable to an Applicant or in respect of a building.
  3. SaskEnergy reserves the right to prioritize applications for Program support within available funding.
  4. Applicants shall ensure their property is safe for their Contractors and SaskEnergy employees to access and perform activities/work in relation to the Program.
  5. SaskEnergy reserves the right to amend or modify any terms or terminate the Program at any time with or without notice, and for any reason without penalty or further obligation.
  6. The availability, timing, and amount of Program support are subject to available Program funding.
  7. Upon installation of the new Unit(s), the Applicant will be responsible for all matters relating to the Unit(s) and all materials, such as operation, maintenance, repair, and cost.
  8. The Applicant is responsible to pay for any repairs or upgrades over and above what SaskEnergy will cover under the Program, which may include repairs to the premises that must be fixed for safety reasons.
  9. Applicant acknowledges their new Unit(s) may use less natural gas and electricity and produce fewer emissions. Applicant agrees to permit SaskEnergy to view the utility bill(s) for the property containing the eligible Unit(s) to monitor and publicly report on changes in energy consumption as a result of the new Unit(s). All information regarding energy consumption used in reporting and/or promotional material will be aggregated with other buildings in the Program and/or anonymized.
  10. After the installation of the new Unit(s), occupants may experience higher levels of humidity in the home showing up as condensation on the interior of windows. Natural Resources Canada suggests solutions to moisture problems. SaskEnergy is not responsible for solving moisture problems in a participant's home.
  11. If SaskEnergy accepts the Applicant for participation in the Program, the Applicant must be available to provide Contractor(s) access to the property to determine the eligibility and home readiness.
  12. SaskEnergy reserves the right to inspect the old and new Unit(s) at the building, at any time before, during, and after, the work, upon notice to the Applicant.

6.1 Use and Disclosure of Information

  1. By submitting an application, the Applicant consents and agrees that SaskEnergy and/or an authorized third party may: (i) contact the Applicant by phone, mail, email or other methods to administer, implement, evaluate and research all elements of the Program, verify information, and to conduct surveys; (ii) collect and use information (including personal information) contained in the application or acquired during participation in the Program and may disclose the information to affiliates and contractors to administer, implements and evaluate the Program, to conduct research, to confirm eligibility, to verify compliance, for quality assurance, and to develop other energy efficiency programs; and (iii) retrieve account information and bill data for a period of 5 years prior to, and 5 years after, the Program participation to evaluate consumption and energy savings attributable to the Program, and to collect, use and disclose such information and data pursuant to section (ii) above.
  2. All personal information received pursuant to the Program shall be handled in accordance with SaskEnergy's Privacy Policy.
  3. The Applicant must have been deemed eligible in writing by SaskEnergy prior to participating in this Program according to the requirements set out in SaskEnergy's First Nation Furnace Replacement Rebate.
  4. SaskEnergy may ask for Applicant volunteers to participate in promotional activities, such as testimonials, for the purpose of expanding awareness of the Program.

6.2 Representation and Warranties

  1. Applicant represents and warrants that they comply, and will continue to comply, with the Program eligibility criteria contained herein.
  2. Applicant represents and warrants that all information provided in relation to the Program is complete, true, and correct. Applicant agrees to notify SaskEnergy in the event there is a material change in the application or information provided.

6.3 Default

  1. In the event the Applicant fails to adhere to the terms and conditions contained herein, SaskEnergy reserves the right to void the Application documents and SaskEnergy will be released from any and all obligations under the Program.

6.4 Liability

  1. SaskEnergy will have no ownership interest in the new Unit(s). 
  2. SaskEnergy, not being the designer, supplier, or manufacturer of the Unit(s), makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the fitness, design or capability of the material, Unit(s) or workmanship in the Unit(s), nor any warranty that the Unit(s) will satisfy the requirements of any law, specification, or contract.
  3. Applicant will be solely responsible for and shall indemnify and save harmless SaskEnergy and its subsidiaries and its respective employees, directors, agents, sub-contractors and representatives from all claims, demands, causes of action, suits, judgements and penalties whatsoever and wheresoever arising out of or in relation to the Program including, without limitation, those made or sustained in respect of property damage, personal injury (including death), infringement or copyright or trademark, builders or other liens.
  4. SaskEnergy does not endorse any manufacturer, product, system, design, supplier or installer in relation to the Program.

7. Documentation

  1. SaskEnergy is not responsible for lost, delayed, damaged, illegible or incomplete applications.

  2. The following documents must be submitted to SaskEnergy:

    Pre-Approval:

    • Completed First Nations Furnace Replacement Rebate Application for Pre-Approval including:
      • Acknowledgement by the homeowner or housing administrator of the First Nation Band.
      • Make, model number, age, efficiency and fuel source of furnace being replaced.
      • Installation address for each Unit.

    Post-Installation:

    • Sales invoice that shows the Contractor name and address, Applicant name(s); installation address; make, model and serial number of each installed Unit(s); and date of installation.

8. Contact Information

SaskEnergy Customer Solutions             
500 - 1777 Victoria Avenue, Regina, SK S4P 4K5         
Email: customersolutions@saskenergy.com