“We made changes to the Office of Energy Efficiency’s grant program to make it as fair as possible,” Minister Sheridan said. “This year the resources were better targeted at those most in need of assistance, allowing the program to stay in business longer and help more Islanders save money on their energy bills.”

Although the program has ended for the 2014-15 fiscal year and no more applications will be accepted, the office assisted more than 1,600 clients compared to 1,040 the previous year.

Air source heat pumps – an efficient and cost-effective home heating and cooling solution – made up 95 per cent of the grant applications this year. Since it opened in 2008, the Office of Energy Efficiency has provided close to $6 million in direct grants to over 6,500 residential and 500 commercial clients.

“Even in times of fiscal restraint,” Minister Sheridan said, “we have been proud to continue helping Islanders make their homes more energy efficient.”

Islanders with an annual household income of $35,000 a year or less can still access the Home Energy Low-Income Program (HELP). Free of charge, a tradesperson will complete:

• comprehensive air-sealing (caulking and weather-stripping on windows and doors, gaskets on electrical fixtures); and

• install a programmable thermostat, up to four compact fluorescent lamps, and a low-flow showerhead.

The HELP program also provides a voucher (up to $80 value) for heating-system service. For information on the HELP program, please contact the Office of Energy Efficiency toll-free at 1-877-734-6336.