HELP Equipment Specifications

Eligible cold climate air source heat pumps must be found on the NRCan's Eligible Cold Climate Heat Pump List. 

Energy Efficiency is measured by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER2), Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER2), or the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF2).

SEER2 is the total cooling of a central air conditioner or heat pump in Btu during its normal annual usage period for cooling, divided by the electric power usage in watt-hours during the same period.

EER2 is the ratio of the average rate of space cooling delivered to the average rate of electrical energy consumed by the air conditioner or heat pump.

HSPF 2is the total space heating required during the space heating season, expressed in Btu, divided by the total electrical energy consumed by the heat pump system during the same season, expressed in watt-hour.

Split System or Ducted Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps must meet the following criteria. Heat pumps that meet this criteria can be found on the NRCan's Eligible Cold Climate Heat Pump List.

• HSPF2 Region V ≥ 6.6 AND SEER2 ≥ 15.2 
• COP ≥ 1.8 at -15 °C (5 °F) (at maximum capacity operation)
• Capacity maintenance (Max -15 °C (5 °F)/Rated 8.3 °C (47 °F)) ≥ 70%
• compressor must be of variable capacity with 3 or more distinct operating speeds, or continuously variable speed

Coils Only Systems (i.e. systems listed under the AHRI classification HRCU-A-C):

For a limited number of centrally ducted heat pumps, known as “Coils Only” systems, the inside and outside units can be paired with furnaces that are already installed in homes. These systems have their inside and outside units listed with their own AHRI number under the AHRI classification HRCU-A-C. The search result on the Eligible Product List will show model numbers for the inside and outside units, while the furnace field will say “Coils Only”.

For a “Coils Only” heat pump system, steps must be taken to ensure their heating and cooling performance. Homeowners must work with their mechanical system contractors to understand the implications of operating this system with their existing furnace and thermostat. This is important as custom combinations of “Coils Only”, without pairing it with appropriate furnaces and controls, can limit the benefits of the heat pump system, potentially reducing the energy efficiency and home comfort.

When considering “Coils Only“ products, to ensure optimum performance and savings, it is strongly recommended   that:

• the furnace has a blower with an Electronically Commutated Motor (ECM) or variable speed
• the furnace controls allow the thermostat to work properly with the heat pump system
• the thermostat must be compatible with both the heat pump and the furnace
• the rated airflow of the furnace and the heat pump are similar

Energy efficiency is measured by the minimum Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratio, which is the percent of heat produced for every dollar of fuel consumed.

British thermal unit per hour (BTU) is a unit used to measure the heat output of a heating system. One Btu is the amount of heat energy given off by a typical birthday candle. If this heat energy were released over the course of one hour, it would be the equivalent of one Btu/h.

A watt (W) measures rates of power at a moment in time.

A watt-hour (Wh) measures amounts of energy for a specific period of time, and watts.

To be eligible for HELP funding, furnace quotes must include one of the following:

Gas	AFEU of 95% or greater
Oil	AFEU of 85% or greater
Electric	Input rate of not more than 65.92 kW (225,000 Btu/h)

Energy efficiency is measured by the minimum Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratio, which is the percent of heat produced for every dollar of fuel consumed.

To be eligible for HELP funding, boiler quotes must include one of the following:

Gas		AFEU of 90% or greater
Oil		AFEU of 87% or greater
Electric		Input rate of less than 88 kW (300 000 Btu/h) and is not equipped with tankless domestic water heating coils

An air conditioning unit’s energy efficiency is measured by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER2), which is the total cooling of a central air conditioner or heat pump in Btu during its normal annual usage period for cooling, divided by the electric power usage in watt-hours during the same period.

To be eligible for HELP funding air conditioning units must meet the following standard:

SEER2

Greater than or equal to 15.1

EER2	Greater than or equal to 11.5

 

Energy efficiency is measured by the U-Factor or the Energy Rating (ER).

U-factor is the rate at which a window, door, or skylight transmits non-solar heat flow in W/m2∙K (Btu/h ft2∙˚F).

Energy Rating (ER) is a value from a formula that balances heat loss (U-factor), air leakage loss, and passive solar gain of the product.

To be eligible for HELP funding, your windows and doors must meet one of the following specifications AND be on the current Energy Star list:

U-Factor	Less than or equal to 1.22 W/m²K (0.21 Btu/h∙ft2◦F)
Energy Rating	Greater than or equal to 34

Energy Efficiency is measured by the Effective Thermal Resistance RSI or R-Value, which is the thermal resistance value that indicates the insulating performance of a material. The higher the resistance value, the slower the rate of heat transfer through the insulating material.

To be eligible for HELP funding, your final insulation value must meet the following specifications¹:

Basement	Greater than or equal to RSI-3.46 (R-19.2)
Attic	Greater than or equal to RSI-3.46 (R-59.2)
Exterior Wall	Greater than or equal to RSI-3.43 (R-19.5)

^{1 The Thermal Resistance requirements are based on the NRCan ENERGY STAR® for New Homes Standard - Version 12.6, which is aligned with section 9.36 - Energy Efficiency in the National Building Code of Canada 2015 for our climate region.}

Energy Efficiency is measured by the Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) or Energy Factor (EF).

UEF-is determined by the estimated usage of a water heater. The higher UEFs represent greater energy efficiency and lower operating costs.  UEF provides a more consistent and accurate way to measure energy efficiency performance in water heaters across all national brands.

EF-measures how much hot water the unit produces versus how much fuel it consumes, so the higher the number the better.

GPM- Gallons per minute

FHR-First hour reading

To be eligible for HELP funding, your water heater must meet one of the following specifications:

Water heaters	Capacity	Draw pattern	Specifications
Gas tankless water heaters			EF greater than or equal to 0.90
			UEF greater than or equal to 0.87
Gas storage water heater	Capacity less than 55 gal	Medium draw pattern	UEF greater than or equal to 0.80
		High draw pattern	UEF greater than or equal to 0.86
	Capacity greater than 55 gal		UEF greater than or equal to 0.85
Electric heat pump storage water heaters	NA		EF greater than of equal to 2.20

A Heat Recovery Ventilation System (HRV) is a fan-equipped box about the size of a small mechanic's tool chest. All HRVs direct a supply of fresh, outdoor air into your house while exhausting stale indoor air outside. An HRV also reclaims most of the heat from stale air before shooting it outside.

An Energy Recovery Ventilation System (ERV) is similar to an HRV but also reclaims moisture from the inside air before shooting it outside. In Saskatchewan's cold, dry climate, ERVs are a better choice, as they are able to conserve both heat and humidity in the winter. 

Energy Efficiency is measured by the Sensible Heat-Recovery Efficiency (SRE) and a Fan Efficacy.

Sensible Heat Recovery (SRE) is the effectiveness of fan energy, leakage, exhaust air transfer, mass and flow imbalance, frost control, and certain other external and internal energy gains and losses.

Fan Efficacy is the test airflow during a heating mode energy performance test with 32°F (0°C) supply air temperature divided by the power consumption for the same test.

To be eligible for HELP funding, your HRV system must meet all the following specifications:

The SRE at 0oC	Greater than or equal to 65%
The SRE at -25oC	Greater than or equal to 60%
SRE < 75%	Fan Efficacy with 0oC supply temperature 1.2 cfm/W (0.57 L/s/W)
SRE ≥ 75%	Fan Efficacy with 0oC supply temperature 0.8 cfm/W (0.38 L/s/W)

Energy Efficiency is measured by the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER), and Coefficient of Performance (COP).

EER is a measure of the cooling capacity efficiency that represents the ratio of total cooling capacity to electrical energy input.

COP is a measure of heating capacity that represents the ratio of total heating capacity to electrical energy input.

Closed Loop is a ground heat exchange method in which the heat transfer fluid is permanently contained in a closed piping system. Also called a ground-loop system.

Open Loop a ground heat exchange method in which the heat transfer fluid is part of a larger environment. The most common open loop systems use ground water, reclaimed water, or surface water as the heat transfer medium. Also called a ground-water system.

Water-to-Air is a geothermal heat pump model that provides space conditioning primarily by the use of an indoor air heat exchange coil.

Water-to-Water is a geothermal heat pump model that provides space conditioning and/or domestic water heating by the use of indoor refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger(s).

Direct Geoexchange (DGX) is a geothermal heat pump model in which the refrigerant is circulated in pipes buried in the ground or submerged in water that exchanges heat with the ground, rather than using a secondary heat transfer fluid, such as water or antifreeze solution in a separate closed loop.

Depending on the type of ground source heat pump installed, your heat pump must meet the following specifications to be eligible for HELP funding:

Heat pump ground source	Loop	EER value	COP value
Water-to-Air	Closed Loop	EER must be equal or greater than 17.1	and COP must be equal or greater than 3.6
	Open Loop	EER must be equal or greater than 21.1	and COP must be equal or greater than 4.1
Water-to-Water	Closed Loop	EER must be equal or greater than 16.1	and COP must be equal or greater than 3.1
	Open Loop	EER must be equal or greater than 20.1	and COP must be equal or greater than 3.5
Direct Geoexchange (DGX)		EER must be equal or greater than 16.0	and COP must be equal or greater than 3.6

Energy Efficiency is measured by the Solar Energy Factor (SEF), which is the energy delivered by the total system divided by the electrical or gas energy put into the system.

Depending on the type of solar hot water heater installed, it must meet one following specification to be eligible for HELP funding:

SEF	Greater or equal to 1.8 for electric backup
SEF	Greater or equal to 1.2 for gas backup

Rooftop Solar systems do not have an energy star rating, and specifications are not needed for this upgrade

Less than or equal to 4.8 Liter Per Flush

Bathroom Sink Faucets	Less than or equal to 1.5 Gallons per minute
Shower Fixture	Less than or equal to 2.0 Gallons per minute