“I’ve saved on the upgrade [of my systems], I use less fossil fuel energy, and there’s the added bonus of greater comfort thanks to the heat pump, which emits a more uniform heat – it’s the best of both worlds.”
SONXPLUS: Dual energy also benefits small businesses
Dual energy offers many advantages, even for SMEs. You can get modern, high-performance equipment at a lower cost thanks to a generous grant program. You help with decarbonization. And you get potential savings on energy bills. That’s exactly what Keven Robichaud, CEO of SONXPLUS, an electronics and computer store in Saint-Sauveur, just did.
In the spring of 2024, Robichaud, who wanted to convert the heating and cooling system in his 1,450-square-foot business (and that of the residential space upstairs) to dual energy, mentioned this topic to Antoine Chalifour, a customer of his and the director of sales and business development at Sté.Fan.Air, a company specializing in refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation and commercial heating1.
Room for dual energy…
Chalifour and Robichaud quickly agreed on a replacement project involving hybrid systems that combine existing natural gas furnaces and electric heat pumps. These systems operate on electricity about 70% of the consumption. Natural gas takes over when temperature dips below -12°C to avoid overloading Hydro-Québec’s system.
… and for savings!
Afterwards, a grant application2 was sent to Énergir, whose representative confirmed the eligible amount, which was more than $10,000. While the opportunity to upgrade his equipment and obtain potential savings on his energy bill thanks to dual energy appealed to Keven Robichaud, Énergir’s financial assistance was critical. “For me, the grant made all the difference. Without it, I would not have replaced my equipment, which was still relatively new,” he said
$10,334.77
Dual Energy Conversion Grant3
Concrete, reassuring support
With help from Énergir’s representative to obtain the grant and Sté.Fan.Air’s active support throughout the process, the project moved quickly. Installation of the new system, which included the addition of electrical inputs, took place in early June 2024. Énergir’s contractor and future partner met with the customer to assess the scope of work, provide a proposal for the installation of hybrid systems, gather and send documentation to the Énergir representative for the grant application, manage the work and finalize the file by sending the supporting documentation required to obtain the funding.
The best of both worlds
Keven Robichaud, who started using his new dual-energy system in the fall of 2024, gives himself a year to assess operating cost savings, but he’s already satisfied with the results: “I’ve saved on the update [of my systems], I use less fossil fuel energy, and there’s the added bonus of greater comfort thanks to the heat pump, which emits a more uniform heat – it’s the best of both worlds.”
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1 Sté.Fan.Air is currently in the process of being certified as an Énergir partner.
2 Certain conditions apply. Grant amounts vary depending on the power of the appliances installed and the work done to install them. Grant amounts cannot exceed 80% of the premium cost associated with the purchase and installation of the appliances. Visit our web page for full eligibility criteria Energir | Grants.
3 Grant amount is unique to each project, and is based on the estimated costs of carrying out the project. It is calculated on the basis of the equipment installed and its power output, and can cover up to 80% of the estimated additional costs of the project, to a maximum of $250,000 per site. To find out more, visit our web page Energir | Grants.
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