Heat better with dual energy

Do you know what is dual energy? Dual energy is the complementarity between electricity and natural gas. It's a solution that allows you to consume the right kind of energy, at the right time, at the best cost.

Who is dual energy for?

The dual-energy electricity-natural gas solution is intended for our residential customers (single-family, duplex, triplex, condo, 4- to 19-unit rental building) who use a natural gas central heating system and who need to replace their appliances or want to add a heat pump.

What is dual energy?

It consists of using electricity as the main energy source (about 70%) and natural gas as a backup source during cold weather when electricity demand is very high. It’s a solution for the future that will allow you to get all the energy you need to heat your home, at the lowest possible cost, while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Take advantage of grants to switch to dual energy

In addition to getting the right energy at the right time and at the best cost, take advantage of a range of grants offered by the Ministère de l’Énergie et des Ressources naturelles, Hydro-Québec and Énergir to reduce the cost of purchasing and installing new equipment.
Here are a few grants you may qualify for.
Replace a natural gas central heating system with a new one and install a heat pump


Get up to
$5,800
 in grants*
Add a heat pump
to an existing natural gas central heating system

Get up to
$5,500
in grants*

Save with dual energy

In addition to the grants you may be eligible for, the dual-energy electricity-natural gas solution allows you to take advantage of Hydro-Québec’s Rate DT.

For information purposes only.Calculation based on Hydro-Québec rates as of April 1, 2022 and Énergir natural gas prices in effect from May 1, 2021 to April 2022.

You want to switch to dual energy
and benefit from a grant?

Contact us

How to switch to dual energy?

Want to maximize your impact on the planet?

Choose renewable natural gas for the portion of gas consumed by your dual-energy heating system. This energy is 100% produced from organic waste and concretely reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Learn more
Have any questions?
Here are our answers

Who is eligible for this offer?
The dual-energy electricity-natural gas solution is for Énergir’s residential customers who have a central forced air or hot water heating system that uses 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 offer is ultimately intended to increase the share of electricity in building heating. An offer for commercial customers will be available later in 2023.

I have an electric heating system. Can I take advantage of this offer?
No. The offer is not for Hydro-Québec customers who already use an electric or dual-energy heating system.

What are the terms and conditions regarding the water heater?
When the eligible home is equipped with a natural gas hot water heater, it must be replaced by an electric hot water heater if the current hot water heater has reached the end of its useful life and is not used in combo mode.

Is there a specific rate for the dual-energy electricity-natural gas solution?
Residential customers who opt for the dual-energy electricity-natural gas solution will benefit from Hydro-Québec’s Rate DT, available to all households with a dual-energy heating system.

Will this solution cost more than heating with natural gas only?
The offer has been developed in such a way that it will benefit customers who will convert their heating system to dual energy. Financial assistance for the purchase and installation of the equipment is offered by the Ministère de l’Énergie et des Ressources naturelles (MERN), Énergir and Hydro-Québec. In addition, Hydro-Québec’s Rate DT, which is specifically designed for dual energy, will apply to electricity consumption. This rate will provide customers with recurring savings if they 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. Heating buildings is an important source of GHG that 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 Quebec 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 the winter consumption peaks. Dual energy is an excellent way to maximize the share of electricity in building heating while reducing the impact on peaks. Reducing electricity demand at these specific times optimizes the operation of the grid when it is most needed. This allows Hydro-Québec to avoid additional investments or expenses to meet demand during peak periods.

Over the 2022–2030 period, the dual-energy offer will therefore allow Quebec society to save nearly $1.7 billion compared to an all-electric scenario, which would have a much greater rate impact.
* Conditions
  1. Any request for work completed prior to June 21st, 2022, is not eligible for the Offer. Eligible Participants must have submitted an application in accordance with the requirements of the Offer no later than 12 months following the completion of work on the Eligible Projects.
  2. Certain conditions apply. Discounts may vary depending on the equipment installed and building characteristics. Additional costs may be incurred in connection with the electrical work required. To take advantage of the Offer, you must sign a contract with your Énergir sales representative or Certified Natural Gas Partner prior to installation. Grant amounts paid out cannot exceed 100% of Eligible Project costs. The terms and conditions of the Offer and the amounts of the grants offered are subject to change without notice.
  3. Eligible Participants must be new subscribers to Hydro-Québec’s residential dual-energy Rate DT or to a participating municipal or co-operative dual-energy rate (contact us for details on participating municipal or co-operative networks) in order to receive the grant. They must also commit to using the dual-energy natural gas-electricity system at the dual-energy rate for a minimum period of ten (10) years from the date of enrolment in the dual-energy rate.
  4. Existing Eligible Homes must be connected to Énergir’s natural gas network and 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 application to participate in the Offer.
  5. The work must be carried out by one or more contractors with a business registered with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec; they must hold the appropriate Régie du bâtiment (RBQ) licences for the work to be performed and be members of the professional order responsible for the affected activity sector.
  6. Eligible Participants may be required to repay all or part of the Offer grants if the conditions and covenants agreed to by the Eligible Participants are not fulfilled to the end of their term or if the information provided by the participants is false or considered a misrepresentation.