In London the leading source of emissions is from heating and cooling our buildings. Both residential and commercial buildings predominantly rely on fossil fuels for heat, mainly natural gas. In order to achieve Canada’s and London’s net-zero target by 2050, everyone will need to switch what they use to heat their buildings. Some options include; electric, air source heat pumps, geothermal and passive solar design. Under the federal government, the carbon tax charge will rise to $50 per tonne of CO2 by 2022, (began at $20 in 2019 and increases by $10 per year until 2022), making natural gas less affordable. Electrification is essential to achieve net zero and keep money in London.
Ways to Reduce Natural Gas Usage in Your Home:
- Review what appliances you own that use fossil fuels like gas or natural gas as the energy source. Some common one include: gas powered lawn mower, hot water heater, dryer, stove, BBQ and fireplaces. Determine if you can swap those for electric options.
- If you have a natural gas dryer (or even electric!), hang your laundry outside to dry.
- Determine when you will need to replace your natural gas furnace and start planning a swap to electric, air source heat pump or geothermal. Call contractors for quotes to determine how much to save to replace.
Find out how much Natural Gas You Use 
Locally, most people heating their homes use Enbridge’s services. You can log on to your profile and compare your gas usage month to month. You can also find out ways to reduce your natural gas consumption without switching entirely to electric. Find incentives and programs run by Enbridge here.
List of Fuel Switching Resources in London:
- Upgrades and Tips to Reduce Natural Gas Usage
- Air Source Heat Pump - Things to Consider
- Heat Pumps - Video On How They Work
- Geothermal 101 - Find Out How It Works & A Local Contractor
Stay tuned for a webinar on Renewable Energy for homeowners! The link to the registration page will be posted here.