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Two energy types are better than one

Choosing dual energy, which combines electricity and natural gas, means taking concrete action that has a positive effect on our planet and on your energy bills1.


View grants   Discover the steps

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What is dual energy?

Dual energy is a solution that allows you to use the right energy at the right time and at the best cost¹, so that you can heat your buildings more efficiently.

It involves replacing a 100% natural gas heating system with one that uses electricity about 70% of the time. Natural gas takes over during cold weather (-12°C or lower⁵), when demand for electricity is very high. It’s a solution that ensures you get all the energy you need to heat your building while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The benefits of dual energy for your business

Take part in the energy transition 

By choosing dual energy, you can reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with heating your building. In fact, by shifting 70% of your natural gas consumption to electricity, you reduce the GHG emissions emitted during gas combustion.

Not only are you contributing to the decarbonization of Québec and the fight against climate change, but you're also making better use of energy during the coldest weather.

Enjoy annual savings

By using the right energy at the right time, you could also see ongoing savings² on your energy bill, thanks to Hydro-Québec’s new small- and medium-power dual-energy rate.

Benefit from generous grants

Take advantage of a range of grants from Hydro-Québec, Énergir and the Ministry MELCCFP. Grants cover up to 80% of the premium cost³ associated with the purchase and installation of the equipment.

Who is eligible?

The dual-energy electricity and natural gas offer is available to Énergir’s business, institutional and multi-unit property customers (20+ units) who use a forced air or hot water central heating system powered by natural gas.

The dual-energy conversion must include the purchase and installation of new equipment leading to the exclusive use of a dual-energy heating system. Certain conditions apply⁴.

New commercial construction may be eligible for the dual-energy offer, under certain conditions. Talk to your representative.

Learn more

How do I switch to dual energy?


See steps

Consumption profiles

Here are some examples of potential annual energy bill savings and available subsidies.

Retail business 5,000 m³

Retail business 5,000 m³

Commercial office 10,000 m³

Commercial office 10,000 m³

Elementary school 50,000 m³

Elementary school 50,000 m³

Hospital 213,000 m³

Hospital 213,000 m³

Avoid 5.4 tonnes of GHG emissions each year thanks to dual energy.

Heating system

Annual bill*

Hot air

$7,172
Efficient dual-energy system$6,351

Grants

Amount
Air-to-water heat pump installation$20,5564

Avoid 10.8 tonnes of GHG emissions each year thanks to dual energy.

Heating system

Annual bill*

Warm-air heating

$18,318
Efficient dual-energy system$16,378

Grants

Amount
Hybrid rooftop unit installation$39,1514

Avoid 53.8 tonnes of GHG emissions each year thanks to dual energy.

Heating system

Annual bill*

Hydronic heating

$33,251
Efficient dual-energy system$26,617

Grants

Amount
Warm-air heat pump installation$268,4924

Avoid 229.3 tonnes of GHG emissions each year thanks to dual energy.

Heating system

Annual bill*

Hydronic heating

$249.926
Efficient dual-energy system$231,823

Grants

Amount
Warm-air heat pump installation$995,0484
Retail business 5,000 m³

Retail business 5,000 m³

Avoid 5.4 tonnes of GHG emissions each year thanks to dual energy.

Heating system

Annual bill*

Hot air

$7,172
Efficient dual-energy system$6,351

Grants

Amount
Air-to-water heat pump installation$20,5564
Commercial office 10,000 m³

Commercial office 10,000 m³

Avoid 10.8 tonnes of GHG emissions each year thanks to dual energy.

Heating system

Annual bill*

Warm-air heating

$18,318
Efficient dual-energy system$16,378

Grants

Amount
Hybrid rooftop unit installation$39,1514
Elementary school 50,000 m³

Elementary school 50,000 m³

Avoid 53.8 tonnes of GHG emissions each year thanks to dual energy.

Heating system

Annual bill*

Hydronic heating

$33,251
Efficient dual-energy system$26,617

Grants

Amount
Warm-air heat pump installation$268,4924
Hospital 213,000 m³

Hospital 213,000 m³

Avoid 229.3 tonnes of GHG emissions each year thanks to dual energy.

Heating system

Annual bill*

Hydronic heating

$249.926
Efficient dual-energy system$231,823

Grants

Amount
Warm-air heat pump installation$995,0484

*Electricity and gas rates from March 2023 to February 2024.
**For information purposes only. The average annual savings for space heating vary based on several factors, such as the type of building or the equipment installed. Calculations are based on Énergir and Hydro-Québec rates from March 2023 to February 2024.

Low-emission building thanks to electricity and renewable natural gas (RNG)

With this solution, the heating system will run on electricity the vast majority of the time, except during periods of extreme cold,(5) when demand for electricity is very high and RNG will take over. It’s a solution that ensures you get all the energy you need to heat your building while significantly reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, since the energy used is 100% renewable.

New commercial construction can take advantage of the dual-energy RNG offer for new 100% renewable connections.(6) Talk to your representative.

For information purpuse only. Calculations are based on Énergir and Hydro-Québec rates from March 2023 to February 2024.

Ready to take action?

Want to discuss your project? Contact us today.


   
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Reduce your carbon footprint even more

Choose renewable natural gas (RNG) for the portion of gas purchased for your building. RNG is 100% produced from organic waste and is a concrete way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Learn more

Questions?
We've got answers.

What is dual energy?

Dual energy involves replacing a 100% natural gas heating system with one that uses two energy sources:

  • Electricity as the main source (70% of the time);
  • Auxiliary natural gas for cold weather when demand for electricity is very high.

Our offer is intended to increase the share of electricity used to heat buildings, reducing natural gas consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while stabilizing peak electricity demand in cold weather.

Who is eligible for this offer?

Dual energy is for Énergir residential customers who have a warm-air or hot-water central heating system running on natural gas. The conversion must include the purchase and installation of new equipment leading to the exclusive use of a dual-energy heating system. The ultimate goal of dual-energy heating is to increase the share of electricity in building heating.

This offer is not intended for customers of Hydro-Québec or any other electrical distributor who already use an electric heating system or who benefit from the dual-energy rate.

What are the eligibility criteria for participants?

To take advantage of the dual-energy offer, business customers must meet the eligibility criteria below.

  • Be an Énergir customer in the business, institutional or multi-unit property sector (buildings with 20 or more dwellings).
  • Own the building they plan to convert to dual energy. The building must be connected to Énergir’s natural gas network and must use natural gas or renewable natural gas (or a combination of both) for space heating, either with a warm air (forced air) or hot water central heating system, for at least 12 months at the time of the grant application. New commercial or institutional construction may be eligible for the dual-energy offer, under certain conditions. Talk about it with an Énergir representative.
  • Be registered for Hydro-Québec’s small- and medium-power dual-energy rate, or for a participating municipal or cooperative network’s dual-energy rate (contact us for information on participating municipal or cooperative networks). Eligibility requirements and details of the dual-energy rate must be discussed with your electricity provider.
  • Commit to using the dual-energy natural gas and electricity system, at the dual-energy rate, for at least 10 years from the date of dual-energy rate registration.
  • The work must:
    o involve the installation of one or more dual-energy heating systems, and the equipment installed must be new equipment used in dual-energy mode;
    o allow electricity to be used as the primary energy source and natural gas as an auxiliary source in a dual-energy system;
    o be carried out by one or more contractors with a registered Registraire des entreprises du Québec business; they must hold the appropriate Régie du bâtiment (RBQ) licences for the work and be members of the professional order responsible for the business sector in question.
  • To be eligible for the grant, eligible participants must:
    o submit their grant application (BI dual-energy contract) no more than 30 calendar days from the invoice date for installation of equipment in dual-energy mode, or no more than 30 calendar days from the purchase order date for equipment in dual-energy mode for the custom dual-energy offer;
    o comply with the requirements of the Government of Québec’s ÉcoPerformance program.

Requests for work completed before November 6, 2023, are not eligible.

Grant recipients may be required to repay all or part of the grants received if the accepted terms and conditions are not followed through to completion, or if the information provided is considered false or a misrepresentation.

I have an electric heating system. Can I take advantage of this offer?

No. This offer is not intended for customers who already use an electric or dual-energy heating system.

My electricity provider is a municipal network, not Hydro-Québec. Can I still take advantage of this offer?

Contact us for more information on participating municipal or cooperative networks.

Is there a special rate for the dual-energy electricity/natural gas solution?

Yes, business customers have access to a dual-energy rate for electricity consumption.

Hydro-Québec offers a small- and medium-power dual-energy rate for space heating. This rate is available to customers equipped with a dual-energy natural gas/electric heating system. If you use a different electricity provider, please contact them directly for more information.

The dual-energy rate is in effect during the heating season, from October 1 to April 30. Outside of this period, from May 1 to September 30, electricity prices for dual energy are the same as the base rates (G, M, or G9).

Natural gas is billed at the customer’s regular rate.

Will this solution cost more than heating with natural gas only?

The offer has been designed to benefit customers who opt to convert their heating system to dual energy. Grants for the purchase and installation of the equipment is available through the Government of Québec, Énergir and Hydro-Québec.
What’s more, electricity consumption will be billed at your electricity provider’s special dual-energy rate. This rate could potentially lead to ongoing savings to customers who use the right energy source at the right time, based on the temperature.

Why are you offering this solution?

To help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The process of heating buildings creates significant GHG emissions and has a direct impact on climate change. By joining forces, Hydro-Québec and Énergir aim to reduce participants’ natural gas consumption by just over 70% to help Québec meet the GHG reduction target set out in the 2030 Plan for a Green Economy. This target corresponds to a 37.5% reduction in emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

Why not offer a solution to convert heating systems exclusively to electricity?

Heating buildings with electricity puts significant pressure on Hydro-Québec’s network during winter’s peak demand. Dual energy is an excellent way to maximize the share of electricity used to heat buildings while reducing the impact on peaks. Reducing demand for electricity at these specific times optimizes the operation of the network when it is most needed. This allows Hydro-Québec to avoid additional investments or expenses to meet demand during peak periods.
From 2022 to 2030, dual-energy will save Québec nearly $1.7 billion compared to an all-electric scenario, which would have a much greater impact on rates.

How are grants calculated?

Grant amounts¹ are unique to each project and based on estimated project cost. Grants are calculated based on the equipment being installed and their power and cover up to 80% of estimated project premium cost⁴ or up to $250,000 per site. The grant helps offset the difference between the cost of a natural gas appliance and the cost of a dual-energy appliance, or the cost of adding an electrical appliance. For more complex projects requiring an engineer, the Government of Québec uses a customized calculation to determine the grant amount. These grants cover up to 80% of equipment purchase and installation premium cost⁴, or $250 per tonne of GHGs avoided over a 10-year period up to $6 million per site.

Contact your Certified Partner, contractor or engineer for a detailed quote based on premium cost⁴ project.

How do I determine whether the custom dual energy offer is right for my project?

The “custom” dual-energy offer targets the largest buildings where engineering involvement is required (highly complex projects). The Government of Québec analyzes these dual energy conversion requests and determines the grant amounts. Grants cover up to 80% of equipment purchase and installation premium cost⁴, or $250 per tonne of GHGs avoided over a 10-year period up to $6 million per site.

What is the link between dual energy and the ÉcoPerformance program?

The dual-energy electricity/natural gas offer for businesses is part of the Government of Québec’s ÉcoPerformance program. It aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption by businesses through financing for projects and measures relating to energy consumption and production, or process improvements.

1. Economic competitiveness depends on a number of factors, including the type of building, the equipment used and the current rate 

2. By switching to dual energy, business customers benefit from the dual-energy rate of their electricity provider. The costs and potential savings were calculated based on Hydro-Québec’s small- and medium-power dual-energy rate. Hydro-Québec's dual-energy rate is in effect during the heating season, from October 1 to April 30. Outside of this period, from May 1 to September 30, electricity prices for dual energy are the same as the base rates (G, M, or G9). 

3. 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. 
Costs for electrical work may be added to the cost of purchasing and installing the equipment. 
To take advantage of the grants, you must sign a contract with your Énergir sales representative or certified natural gas partner prior to installation. 
The grant amounts and program terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. 

4. To take advantage of the dual-energy offer, business customers must meet the eligibility criteria below. 

The customer must have received approval of the electricity distributor, or municipal or cooperative customer network, if applicable, that it will install the electrical connection required for dual-energy conversion. 

Be an Énergir customer in the business, institutional or multi-unit property sector (buildings with 20 or more dwellings). 

Own the building they plan to convert to dual energy. The building must be connected to Énergir’s natural gas network and must use natural gas or renewable natural gas (or a combination of both) for space heating, either with a warm air (forced air) or hot water central heating system, for at least 12 months at the time of the grant application. New commercial or institutional construction may be eligible for the dual-energy offer, under certain conditions. Talk about it with an Énergir representative. 

Be registered for Hydro-Québec’s small- and medium-power dual-energy rate, or for a participating municipal or cooperative network’s dual-energy rate (contact us for information on participating municipal or cooperative networks). Eligibility requirements and details of the dual-energy rate must be discussed with your electricity provider. 

Commit to using the dual-energy natural gas and electricity system, at the dual-energy rate, for at least 10 years from the date of dual-energy rate registration. 

The work must: 

Involve the installation of one or more dual-energy heating systems, and the equipment installed must be new equipment used in dual-energy mode; 

Allow electricity to be used as the primary energy source and natural gas as an auxiliary source in a dual-energy system; 

Be carried out by one or more contractors with a registered Registraire des entreprises du Québec business; they must hold the appropriate Régie du bâtiment (RBQ) licences for the work and be members of the professional order responsible for the business sector in question. 

To be eligible for the grant, eligible participants must: 

submit their grant application (BI business and institutional dual-energy contract) no more than 30 calendar days from the invoice date for installation of equipment in dual-energy mode, or no more than 30 calendar days from the purchase order date for equipment in dual-energy mode for the custom dual-energy offer; 

comply with the requirements of the Government of Québec’s ÉcoPerformance program

5. When temperatures fall below -12 °C or -15 °C, depending on the region. 

6. Contact your representative for full details.