Terms and Conditions
- Overview
- Eligibility Criteria
- Income Qualification Requirements
- Eligible Unit and Installation Package
- Additional Terms & Conditions
- Documentation
- Contact Information
1. Overview
- The Heating Affordability Program ("the Program") is administered and funded by SaskEnergy Incorporated ("SaskEnergy"), in collaboration with Saskatchewan Power Corporation ("SaskPower") and third-party agent, CLEAResult ("CLEAResult"). The Program is designed to offer eligible homeowners ("the Applicant") replacement of their low-efficiency furnace with a free eligible high-efficiency furnace ("the Unit") that may reduce natural gas and electricity usage with its associated operating costs, reduce the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- The Program targets qualifying income-qualified (below the qualifying threshold) residential homeowners in Saskatchewan, who have participated in the SaskPower Energy Assistance Program and have a functioning naturally aspirated furnace below 78% annual fuel utilization efficiency ("AFUE") with a continuously lit pilot light ("low efficiency natural gas furnace") in their home.
- The Applicant will be assessed for eligibility based on qualifying household income, existing furnace efficiency and satisfaction of the terms and conditions set out below.
- Qualifying household income is based on the total annual income before taxes of the household member(s), inclusive of the Applicant(s) and all individuals who are 18 years of age or older ("Adult"), who reside in the home.
- The program begins September 16, 2025, and is available until March 31, 2026, or until the Program's 50 eligible replacement Units have been exhausted, whichever occurs first. SaskEnergy may change or cancel the Program at any time, without notice, at its discretion.
2. Eligibility Criteria
- The Applicant must have participated in the SaskPower Energy Assistance Program and the application must be for the same property.
- The Applicant must meet the income qualification requirements.
- The Applicant must have a functioning low-efficiency natural gas furnace in their home.
- The Applicant must be the registered homeowner of the property and be a SaskEnergy residential customer.
- The Applicant must be using this property as their primary residence.
- The residential property must be in Saskatchewan. Lloydminster customers connected to ATCO's system are not eligible.
- Only residential properties are eligible. This includes row housing and duplex units that are each metered separately with a dedicated natural gas meter.
- The residential property must be a fully serviced existing building fit for human habitation, occupied on a permanent year-round basis and deemed to be in a clean, safe and suitable working condition for improvements available through the Program.
- Garage structures and attached residential garages are not eligible.
- An Applicant is only eligible for one Unit.
- Landlords are not eligible for the Program.
- Renters/rental properties are not eligible.
- Homes on First Nations reserves are not eligible
- Units installed in new construction are not eligible.
- Units replaced under manufacturers' warranty or insurance claims are not eligible.
- Units must be installed in accordance with the program participation process.
- Installation of the Unit must not require significant modifications to the house or property which are considered to be non-standard for a furnace replacement.
3. Income Qualification Requirements
- To be eligible for the Program, the Applicant must disclose and provide proof of the total combined annual household gross income (before tax) of all Adults living in the home.
The total combined annual household gross income must be at or below the maximum income threshold for the household size, as per the table below:
Total People in Household Total Combined Annual Household Income Threshold (before tax) of all Adults living in the Home* 1 person $39,400 2 persons $49,100 3 persons $60,400 4 persons $73,300 5 persons $83,100 6 persons $93,700 7 or more persons $104,400 *Based on 2023 low income cut-off tax, population 100,000 to 499,999 (low income cut-offs (LICOs) before and after tax by community size and family size, in current dollars) plus 50% and rounded to the nearest hundred dollars.
3.1 Proof of Income Documentation
- The Applicant and all other Adults living in the household will be required to disclose and provide proof of the most recent year's (2024) annual income to CLEAResult for income verification.
- The Program will reference documents to establish eligible income which will include the following:
- Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment; or
- Proof of government income support.
3.2 Program Participation Process
Stage 1 - Participant Invitation
- SaskPower will send a Program invitation letter to customers who participated in the Energy Assistance Program and were identified as having a low-efficiency furnace in their home.
- After receiving the invitation, the Applicant must contact CLEAResult, as stated in the invitation letter, to proceed to Stage 2 - Income Verification step of the Program.
Stage 2 - Income Verification
- CLEAResult will:
- Verify with the Applicant there have been no changes to the existing furnace since the completion of the SaskPower Energy Assistance Program assessment.
- Confirm with Applicant the total number of individuals living in the home as well as the number of Adults living in the home.
- Visually verify eligible income documentation provided by Applicant and all other Adults living in the household to determine eligibility for the Program.
- Inform the Applicant of their eligibility to move forward in the Program.
- If the Applicant meets the requirements in Stage 2, they will move to Stage 3.
Stage 3 - Verify Equipment Eligibility & Provide Quote for Work
- SaskEnergy will contact the Applicant and provide a list of participating SaskEnergy Network Members ("Contractors") for the Applicant to choose to complete the quote and assessment.
- If there is not a participating SaskEnergy Network Member in the customer's area, SaskEnergy will contact a licensed gas contractor in the area with an offer to participate.
- SaskEnergy will provide notification to the Applicant and the Contractor with next steps to proceed.
- The Applicant must be available to provide the Contractor with access to their property to determine the eligibility and home readiness.
- The Contractor will complete the Verification Checklist. They will determine if the home is in suitable condition for work to be completed, verify the existing furnace is low-efficiency and in working condition and that installation of the new Unit will not require significant modifications to the existing space. SaskEnergy reserves the right to decline an application if the required modifications exceed the offer of the Program. The work area is expected to be clean and free of clutter.
- If the home and existing furnace meet the requirements of the Program, the Contractor will submit a quote and work order for the new furnace installation to SaskEnergy.
- SaskEnergy will contact the Applicant to confirm their Program approval and move to Stage 4.
- SaskEnergy will contact the Applicant if the home or existing furnace does not meet the requirements of the Program, the Applicant will be deemed ineligible and will not proceed to Stage 4.
Stage 4 - Installation
- The Contractor will schedule installation of the new Unit with the Applicant.
- The Contractor will complete the installation.
- The Applicant and Contractor will complete and sign the Satisfaction Agreement after installation of the Unit is complete.
- The Contractor will submit the signed Satisfaction Agreement and the invoice to SaskEnergy for payment.
4. Eligible Unit and Installation Package
- The installation package will include the following:
- 96% AFUE single-stage natural gas furnace, unless otherwise approved by SaskEnergy.
- Programmable thermostat (if the existing thermostat requires replacement determined by Contractor)
- Required modifications to the home's venting
- 3 furnace filters
- Furnace manufacturer's warranty registration
- The Contractor will provide a new Unit (not used or rebuilt).
- All Units must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and must comply with the applicable laws, codes, standards, and ordinances.
- The Contractor is responsible for the disposal or recycling of the old unit.
5. Additional Terms & Conditions
- To be eligible for the Unit replacement 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.
- SaskEnergy reserves the right to, at any time, verify the accuracy of any and all information and materials provided by the Applicant, and the Applicant must fully cooperate with such verification process. The Applicant must also promptly notify SaskEnergy in writing if any information or material provided to SaskEnergy changes at any time during the Program process.
- SaskEnergy is not obligated to provide Program support to any Applicant and will select Applications based on a first come, first served basis. Not all Applicants will be accepted into the Program. It is within SaskEnergy's sole discretion to accept or reject any Applicant who meets Program eligibility criteria.
- SaskEnergy reserves the right to prioritize applications for Program support within available funding.
- Selected Applicants shall ensure their property is safe for Contractors and SaskEnergy employees to access and perform activities/work in relation to the Program.
- SaskEnergy reserves the right to amend, modify any terms or terminate the Program at any time with or without notice, and for any reason without penalty or further obligation.
- The availability, timing, and amount of Program support are subject to available Program funding.
- Upon installation of the Unit, the Applicant will be responsible for all matters relating to the Unit and all materials, such as operation, maintenance, repair, and related costs. The Applicant will follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance and service to ensure long-term viability of the Unit.
- Selected Applicants are 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.
- Applicant acknowledges their new Unit may use less natural gas and electricity and produce fewer emissions. Applicant agrees to permit SaskEnergy to view the utility bill(s) for the building containing the Unit to monitor and publicly report on changes in energy consumption as a result of the eligible Unit. All information regarding energy consumption used in reporting and/or promotional material will be aggregated with other buildings in the Program and/or anonymized.
- After the replacement of a furnace, 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.
- SaskEnergy reserves the right to inspect the Applicant's building, to inspect the old and the new natural gas furnace at the building, at any time before, during, and after the work, upon notice to the Applicant.
If it is determined in Stage 3 that the house or property requires repairs or retrofits based on the verification of the Contractor, the application will be declined.
Use and Disclosure of Information
- 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 method 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, contractors, and Network Members, to administer, implement 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 attributed to the Program, and to collect, use and disclose such information and data pursuant to section (ii) above.
- SaskEnergy or an authorized third party may contact Applicants to conduct survey(s) regarding the Program or to follow-up with the Applicant with respect to the Program and/or the Unit installed.
- All information received pursuant to the Program shall be handled in accordance with SaskEnergy's Privacy Policy.
- Subject to the terms and conditions hereto, upon receipt of the Satisfaction Acknowledgement completed and signed by the Applicant and the Contractor to SaskEnergy's satisfaction, SaskEnergy will pay the named Contractor the funding approved by SaskEnergy for eligible Unit installation completed at the building. No funding will be payable to the Applicant. Any additional cost accrued will be at the expense of the Applicant.
SaskEnergy may ask for Applicant volunteers to be profiled, along with their furnace replacement, for the purpose of promoting the Program.
Representation and Warranties
- The Applicant represents and warrants that it complies, and will continue to comply, with the Program eligibility criteria contained herein.
- The Applicant represents and warrants that all information provided in relation to the Program is complete, true, and correct. Applicant agrees it will notify SaskEnergy in the event there is a material change in its application or information provided.
For certainty, Applicant represents and warrants that its household meets the income qualification and furnace requirements to qualify for this Program, that their property is situated within Saskatchewan, not including Lloydminster, and that the Applicant owns and resides in the property listed in the application.
Default
In the event the Applicant or Contractor 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.
Liability
- SaskEnergy will have no ownership interest in the Unit.
- SaskEnergy, not being the designer, supplier, or manufacturer of the Unit, makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the fitness, design or capability of the material, Unit or workmanship in the Unit, nor any warranty that the Unit will satisfy the requirements of any law, specification, or contract.
- The 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 of copyright or trademark, builders or other liens.
- SaskEnergy does not endorse any manufacturer, product, system, design, supplier or installer in relation to the Program.
6. Documentation
- SaskEnergy is not responsible for lost, delayed, damaged, illegible, or incomplete applications.
If the Applicant is approved to participate in the Program, the Contractor must submit the following documents to SaskEnergy on the Applicant's behalf:
Stage 3 - Verify Equipment Eligibility & Provide Quote for Work
- Verification Checklist
- Picture of the low-efficiency unit rating plate
- Quote/Work Order for the installation package reference in 4 (a)
Stage 4 - Installation
- Satisfaction Acknowledgement
- Sales invoice that shows Applicant and Contractor(s) name; installation address; make and model of the installed Unit; 3 furnace filters; all parts and labour; mileage; and date of installation
- Picture of the installed unit rating plate
7. Contact Information
SaskEnergy Customer Solutions
500 - 1777 Victoria Avenue, Regina, SK S4P 4K5
Email: customersolutions@saskenergy.com