Stay Cool & Save Thousand$: 5 Summer Energy Tips + Ontario Rebates Explained

Well, we are in the thick of summer — my favorite season. Those who know me know that’s absolutely not true. I loathe summer. It’s my least favorite season. However, there are ways to stay cool and save thousands. In this episode, I’ll be sharing five summer energy-saving tips, plus Ontario rebates explained.

Ciao! Welcome to a new episode of Building Wealth Through Real Estate...Brick by Brick with me, Nico James-Bock, Founder of The CondoWiz™ Group and Broker at Keller Williams Co-Elevation Realty in Toronto.  

Summer cooling costs can take a bite out of your monthly budget. But with smart planning — and a little help from federal, provincial, and local rebate programs — you can make your home more comfortable and energy-efficient.

Program Round‑Up

• Federal Tax Credit: 30% off qualifying heat pumps (up to $2,000)
• Ontario Home Renovation Savings Program: up to 30% rebate on renovations (heat pumps, insulation, windows, smart thermostats); up to $12K for heat pumps or $10K for bundled upgrades as electricity-heated home
  EcoFlow
  IESO+2
  Save on Energy+2
  Toronto Hydro+2
  en.wikipedia.org+5
  Dynamic Heating and Cooling+5
  Reddit+5
• Canada Greener Homes Grant: supports pre‑audit and insulation/heat pumps/windows
  • CoolSaver: instant discounts for AC tune‑ups and replacements in eligible areas
    Toronto Hydro
  • Energy Affordability Program: low‑income households get free smart thermostats, LED bulbs, insulation, etc.
    Toronto Hydro+1
    ClimateCare+1
• Municipal: City of Toronto’s Eco‑Roof Incentive (cool/green roofs) and the Energy Retrofit Loan Program for low‑interest funding on HVAC/solar upgrades

By combining smart products like high-efficiency heat pumps and smart ceiling fans with powerful Ontario and federal rebates, you can significantly reduce summer cooling costs and create a more comfortable, greener home. Listen, act early—many programs have limited funds!

Transcript

Stay Cool & Save $Big$ – 5 Summer Energy Hacks + Rebates You Can’t Miss

Well, we are in the thick of summer — my favorite season. Those who know me know that’s absolutely not true. I loathe summer. It’s my least favorite season. However, there are ways to stay cool and save thousands. In this episode, I’ll be sharing five summer energy-saving tips, plus Ontario rebates explained.

Summer cooling costs can take a bite out of your monthly budget. But with smart planning — and a little help from federal, provincial, and local rebate programs — you can make your home more comfortable and energy-efficient.

My name is Nico James-Bock, and I’m a broker with the CondoWiz™ Group at Keller Williams Co-Elevation Realty in Toronto. In this episode, we break down five powerful tips to reduce your energy bills, improve your home's cooling, and take advantage of rebates worth up to $12,000 in Ontario.

Tip #1: Upgrade to a Cold-Climate Heat Pump

This unique system cools in the summer and heats in the winter with incredible efficiency. Rebates of up to $12,000 are available in Ontario — and here’s the good news — they’re stackable with federal tax credits of up to $2,000, bringing the total potential savings to $14,000. These systems must be installed by a registered contractor.

Look for models with a SEER2 rating of at least 15.2 and an HSPF2 rating of 6.6 or higher.

Tip #2: Install a Smart Thermostat & Enroll in Peak Perks

Smart thermostats are fantastic. I’ve seen them in many of my clients’ homes — they look great and can save you hundreds of dollars when used properly. You can get a $75 rebate on eligible smart thermostats. Plus, if you enroll in Ontario’s Peak Perks program, you’ll get another $75 bonus and $20 annually for allowing your utility provider to adjust your thermostat during peak demand periods.

This helps reduce your energy use through automation and scheduling, keeping things efficient and effortless.

Tip #3: Tune Up or Replace Your A/C System

Tuning up your A/C system can improve efficiency and extend its lifespan. In some areas, CoolSaver rebates are available to reduce the upfront costs of tune-ups or replacements.

If your A/C system is more than 10 years old, it may be time to replace it altogether. Having a professional inspect your unit can save you in the long run. More efficient systems mean lower bills and fewer breakdowns — definitely worth the investment.

Tip #4: Use Energy-Efficient Smart Ceiling Fans

This is another underrated upgrade. Ceiling fans reduce the need for A/C by circulating air efficiently. You may not even need to run your A/C depending on the day, or you can reduce how heavily you rely on it.

Smart fans allow remote control and scheduling — just like smart thermostats. Look for models with DC motors and ENERGY STAR certification.

A couple of product picks:

• OCI OC Smart Ceiling Fan — low profile and app-controlled.
• Tager 52" Indoor/Outdoor Smart Fan — Hubspace-enabled for integrated smart home control.

Tip #5: Improve Insulation & Seal Drafts

Keep cool air in and hot air out. This is a simple but powerful tip. Ontario’s Home Renovation Savings Program covers up to 30% of the cost of improving your insulation and sealing drafts.

Federally, the Greener Homes Grant supports pre-retrofit audits and upgrades. Combining insulation upgrades with other improvements helps maximize comfort and long-term savings.

Quick Recap of the 5 Tips:

1. Upgrade to a cold-climate heat pump
2. Install a smart thermostat & enroll in Peak Perks
3. Tune up or replace your A/C system
4. Use energy-efficient smart ceiling fans
5. Improve insulation & seal drafts

These are affordable, smart, and rebate-supported ways to stay comfortable without breaking the bank.

That wraps up another insightful episode of Helping You Build Wealth Through Real Estate, Brick by Brick. Remember, information is power — especially when it comes to your financial future in real estate. Taking advantage of seasonal savings and rebates is a great way to save money and maximize enjoyment of your space.

If you found this information useful, please like this episode, leave a comment, and share it with anyone who could benefit from it.

Upcoming Events:
Depending on when you’re listening or watching, we have two upcoming seminars:

• Smart Moves – July 23rd, 7 PM in Liberty Village
• Smart Moves – July 23rd, 7 PM in the Bloor–Kipling / Etobicoke Junction Area

These events are packed with practical advice on how to navigate your next move or support someone you care about in theirs.

It was a pleasure sharing this with you. You can reach me through my social media channels:
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Ciao ciao