Q: What are the offer details?
A: Pacific Northern Gas customers with exiting natural gas space-heating systems (furnaces or boilers) will be credited $250 on their Pacific Northern Gas bill when they purchase and install an ENERGY STAR qualified high-efficiency natural gas space-heating system between October 17, 2005 and December 31, 2006.
If customers opt for a model with a variable speed motor between October 17, 2005 and December 31, 2006, an additional $100 will be credited to their Pacific Northern Gas bill, bringing the total bill credit to $350.
Q: What’s the program timeline?
A: The rebate offer from Pacific Northern Gas is available for 15 months for purchases and installations made between October 17, 2005 and December 31, 2006. All purchases and installations must be completed during this period. Fully completed Pacific Northern Gas rebate claims must be postmarked by January 15, 2007 and mailed to:
Pacific Northern Gas / ENERGY STAR® Qualified Heating System Upgrade
2900 Kerr St.
Terrace, BC
V8G 4L9
Please allow up to 90 days for processing.
Q: Is there a participation limit?
A: Rebates are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. This Pacific Northern Gas offer may be limited in quantity.
Q: Who is eligible for this program?
A: Eligible customers must be a residential Pacific Northern Gas customer living in the Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. service area at time of purchase and credit processing. Residential customers are defined as Pacific Northern Gas end-use customers who upgrade their existing natural gas space heating system in a residential single family home, rowhouse, townhouse or mobile home application to an ENERGY STAR qualified natural gas furnace or boiler.
Q: What does the ENERGY STAR mark mean?
A: To qualify for the ENERGY STAR mark, products must meet technical specifications designed to ensure that they are among the most energy-efficient on the market. Furnaces must meet a minimum 90 per cent AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating and boilers must meet a minimum 85 per cent AFUE rating. The power of the ENERGY STAR mark is its simplicity - the technical evaluation has been done for you to determine which products are the most energy efficient. The ENERGY STAR mark is administered and promoted in Canada by Natural Resources Canada.
Q: Where can I get more information about ENERGY STAR?
A: For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit http://www.energystar.gc.ca/.
Q: How do I get a list of ENERGY STAR qualified natural gas space-heating systems?
A: Visit http://www.energystar.gc.ca/ for a complete qualified list of natural gas furnaces and boilers. In order to qualify, the model must appear on this list.
Q: What’s a variable speed motor?
A: Unlike conventional single speed motors, a variable speed motor runs at a wide range of speeds to precisely control heated and cooled air throughout the home. Variable speed motors can actually save you money on your energy bills, as they consume less electricity than standard motors.
Q: How do I apply for the variable speed motor bill credit?
A: Pacific Northern Gas will process the additional $100 bill credit when you remit the program application form with applicable documentation. There are no additional forms to fill out. If you install an ENERGY STAR qualified furnace with a variable speed motor, please ensure that the furnace model number is clearly identified on the rebate coupon and invoice to help us process the customer's bill credit request accurately.
Q: Do all ENERGY STAR qualified and listed furnaces have this motor?
A: No. At this time the ENERGY STAR label applies to the gas combustion portion of the furnace and does not reflect the electricity consumed by the blower motor.
Q: Do boilers have this motor?
A: No. The $100 rebate is not available under this program for circulation pump motors.
Q: How do I know if my furnace is considered standard or mid-efficient?
A: If your furnace is more than 10 years old, it's very likely a low-efficiency model and only averaging between 60 - 70 per cent AFUE (Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency). In other words, it's only producing around 60 or 70 cents worth of heat for every dollar you spend. Install a high-efficiency furnace and your heating system will run at 90 per cent or higher AFUE. With a high-efficiency boiler, your heating system will run at 85 per cent or higher AFUE.
Q: What does AFUE mean?
A: Heating equipment efficiency is rated by AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). The rating tells you what per cent of the energy used is converted to usable heat. The higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient the heating system will be. And the more efficient your system is, the lower your heating bill. To be eligible for the ENERGY STAR rebate, your installed natural gas heating system must meet ENERGY STAR requirements. Furnaces must be at least 90 per cent AFUE. Boilers must be rated at a minimum AFUE of 85 per cent.
Q: Can I get a manfacturer’s rebate and the Pacific Northern Gas bill credit?
A: Yes. If the furnace model you install qualifies, the Pacific Northern Gas rebate will appear on your bill. The participating manufacturer's rebate will be administered at the time of purchase directly with the dealer.
Q: Can I get the Pacific Northern Gas bill credit if I buy a condensing combination space and water-heating system?
A: No. There are no ENERGY STAR ratings that apply to these products currently, but Pacific Northern Gas will honour these systems within the terms of the program as long as the space-heating unit of the combination system is ENERGY STAR qualified.
Q: Can I still get the Pacific Northern Gas rebate if I do not purchase one of the participating manufacturers model?
A: Yes providing your furnace is Energy Star rated at 90% A.U.F.E or higher you are still eligible for the $ 250 rebate and additional $ 100 if your furnace is equipped with a variable speed motor. Please check with your contractor if your Energy Star Furnace is eligible for further Manufacturer’s rebates.
Q: How much money can I save by upgrading my furnace or boiler?
A: Savings will vary based on a number of factors. Energy savings will depend on your home's construction, the type of heating system replaced and the efficiency of the new one installed, your lifestyle, number of appliances and energy-usage (or saving) habits. If you install a new heating system, ask your contractor to give you an idea of the "payback period" of your investment.
Q: Can I use more than one offer per household?
A: Only one Pacific Northern Gas credit can be claimed per household, but each manufacturer coupon is unique. Some state only one coupon per customer address. Determine which coupon is best for you and ensure you follow the manufacturers' specific conditions.
Q: I installed a new ENERGY STAR heating system outside the program timeline. Do I qualify for the rebates?
A: No, the Pacific Northern Gas offer is only valid for services and/or equipment purchased and installed between October 17, 2005 and December 31, 2006. Unfortunately, any work or purchase prior to, or after these dates is not eligible for the rebates.
Q: I am a landlord who rents out the house. Can I get the Pacific Northern Gas bill credit?
A: The credit is given to the Pacific Northern Gas account holder where the space-heating system was upgraded. If this premise is under the renter's name, then the credit will appear on the renter's Pacific Northern Gas bill.
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