When Adam and Monica bought their house four years ago, they inherited an aging furnace and air conditioner, both nearing their 20-year mark. As they enjoyed their new home, they focused on some fun backyard projects. But eventually, it was time to tackle some necessary updates, including updating their end-of-life heating and cooling systems.
Their inspiration came from the Pocket Change Project. Through the project’s Changemaker Socials (open houses), they met several neighbours who had successfully transitioned their homes to more sustainable energy solutions with the support of the Pocket Change Changemakers program, and they signed up as Changemakers too. With a variety of incentives available from the government and Enbridge, opting for a heat pump over a traditional gas furnace replacement became an easy decision for them.
Working with Sarah Grant of Goldfinch Energy and Paul Dowsett, the Pocket Change Retrofit Coach, was “a delightful experience,” they say, adding that “their support, knowledge, and patience made the entire process manageable, even as it stretched over two to three years.” Adam and Monica took their time, learning about the interconnectedness involved in such a project and gathering quotes from different installers.
They discovered that fully transitioning away from gas, which they had decided they wanted to do, would require more than just replacing their gas furnace. Their gas stove would need to go, and they’d have to run a new electrical line if they wanted to install an induction cooktop and oven to replace it. They found gathering quotes for all the work they were considering was a challenge, as each installer had slightly different recommendations. One suggested replacing their electrical panel, while another advised skipping the electric backup for their heat pump, and still others offered them varying opinions about how a heat pump would perform at extremely cold temperatures.
In the end, they chose an installer they’d come to trust, Rey from 4MostEnergy ([email protected]), who they felt did a fantastic job. Rey installed a 2.5-ton heat pump as part of their central duct system and upgraded their attic insulation from R12 or R25 in various places to R60 throughout. He also re-insulated under the crawlspace and found space on the existing electrical panel for their new stove. They are excited about cooking on their new induction appliances.
Now they have replaced their gas stove with induction and canceling their Enbridge service entirely, and Adam and Monica’s house is 100% electric! “Induction is awesome,” says Adam. “It’s so fast, and we have really seen now how much heat was being generated and wasted with our gas stove. We got a Frigidaire Gallery 30” through the BestBuy contact that Pocket Change shared with us, and really love it.”
Adam and Monica are also eagerly awaiting their government rebates, which should arrive in about 34 weeks from the time they filed them. Adam and Monica say they would love to host a future Changemakers Social to share their experience and allow others to inspect their new heat pump – coming full circle from the time when they were new to these events and learning from other Changemakers in the Pocket.
Their journey to a greener, 100% electric home was long and required careful planning, but they say their results were worth the effort. Adam and Monica's story is a testament to the impact of community support and the benefits of a sustainable home.
