HAT Smart

HAT Smart offers incentives to help property owners and builders make environmental and energy-conscious upgrades when renovating existing residences or constructing new homes. Our programs make saving money and energy easy.

As of May 17, 2024, the Existing Homes incentive is fully subscribed and we are no longer taking requests for the queue. Thank you everyone who showed interest in this year's program.

Residential rebates

Rebates are available for residential electric and natural gas customers of the City of Medicine Hat. Incentives vary year by year as new technologies and funding sources are introduced. New incentives are released each year in January.

Approval process

All applications are subject to approval by HAT Smart.

If your application is incomplete, illegible, or omits required documentation, it is disqualified and you will need to submit a new application before the deadline. Be sure to review the incentive details and Terms and Conditions before re-applying to ensure you qualify.
Application deadline

Application deadline is December 31, 2024.

Rebate deadline is noon on January 9, 2025.
Program funding

The HAT Smart program is funded through the Environmental Conservation Charge (ECC), which is levied against high consumption residential utility customers.

The ECC is calculated monthly on:

  • Electricity consumption greater than 950 kWh
  • Gas consumption greater than 19 GJ

Frequently asked questions

 

I live outside of Medicine Hat. Am I eligible for the HAT Smart rebates?
Yes, provided you have an active City of Medicine Hat residential utility account (relevant to the rebate for which you are applying) and receive a utility statement each month. For example, if you are applying for a rebate on Solar Electric Panels, you must receive an electric bill from the City of Medicine Hat.

I live in a condo. Can I apply for a rebate?
Yes, if you personally receive a utility bill from the City (i.e. have an active utility account in your name). If your utilities are paid for through your condo fees or by the condo association, you are not eligible for HAT Smart rebates. The condo building itself is considered a commercial enterprise and is disqualified from the program.

How is rebate funding distributed?
Rebates are based on fully completed application forms and issued on a first come, first served basis. An incomplete application form can result in a delay of payment or no payment if program funds have been exhausted.

How does HAT Smart track the rebates awarded?
Each rebate is tied to the location identification number of the residential address, which is why the account number is required on every application form.

What provincial or federal funding is available?

The HAT Smart team works hard to align available incentives with provincial and federal programs. For more information on available funding, please visit:

Natural Resources Canada: Grants and Financial Incentives

Are there any HAT Smart rebates for commercial customers?
Sorry, there is no rebate funding available for commercial customers at this time. All funds for this program version are for residential customers.

I received rebates from previous HAT Smart programs. Can I still apply?
Yes. You are eligible to apply for each HAT Smart rebate provided you meet the current program criteria. 

How many rebates has HAT Smart given out?
Since our start-up in 2008, almost 16,000 rebates have been given out totaling over $5.25 million in incentives.

Solar PV is now included in the Existing Homes and New Homes incentives.

*New* Water Conservation Incentive

Apply for rebates on home and yard upgrades that reduce water consumption.

View incentive details and apply

Existing Homes Incentive

Find incentives for insulation, windows and doors, tankless water heaters, heat- and energy-recovery ventilators and Solar PV.

Funding status as of 2024-10-10
Reserved funds 142%
Funds paid $138,630
View incentive details and apply
New Homes Incentive

The New Homes Incentive Program encourages the construction of more energy efficient homes, including Solar PV installations.

Funding status as of 2024-10-10
Reserved funds 101%
Funds paid $8,080
View incentive details and apply
EnerGuide Home Evaluations

Use this rebate to learn how your home uses energy and what improvements can be made to increase energy efficiency.

Funding status as of 2024-10-10
Total rebates paid $22,400
View incentive details and apply
Scratch & Win

Customers can win up to $200 back on the purchase of smaller energy efficient items with Scratch & Win.

Funding status as of 2024-10-10
2024 Total rebates paid $24,595
View incentive details and apply

Scholarships and awards

HAT Smart supports students in efforts related to environmental initiatives and energy conservation.

HAT Smart Scholarship

Each year, the HAT Smart program sponsors a scholarship for a Medicine Hat College student. The HAT Smart Scholarship is provided to local students pursuing careers in the sciences, in a field related to HAT Smart's goals of energy awareness, energy efficiency, and sustainable energy.

Applicants must meet the following requirements to qualify for the HAT Smart Scholarship:

  • Student or parents/guardian must have a City of Medicine Hat utility account
  • Proven academic ability
  • Enrollment in the Medicine Hat College Science/Engineering University Transfer Program

How to apply

The HAT Smart Scholarship is awarded to an applicant who fills out the general Medicine Hat College scholarship application form.

Regional Science Fair Awards

The HAT Smart program sponsors the awards at the Southeast Alberta Kiwanis Science Fair at the Medicine Hat College each year. The awards are presented to students with the best project in one of four categories:

  • Biotech/Life Sciences
  • Computer Science/Engineering
  • Environmental Science
  • Physical Science

Rebate history

Since 2008, the HAT Smart program has awarded more than 16,500 rebates worth more than $5.8 million, $11,225 in sponsorship and awards, and has supported various large-scale projects throughout the community. An overview of incentives offered through past program is outlined below.

2008 - 2023
Total RewardedRebate TypeTotal ValueAverage Rebate
382 Air Conditioning $88,250.00 $231.02
       
99 Clothes Dryer - Electric $7,425.00 $75.00
57 Clothes Dryer - Natural Gas $11,300.00 $198.25
3,428 Clothes Washer $461,675.00 $134.68
1,319 Dishwasher $131,900.00 $100.00
1,635 Refrigerator $322,579.98 $197.30
189 Stove – Natural Gas $37,100.00 $196.30
       
1,646 Furnaces $646,750.00 $392.92
4 HRV/ERV $4,000.00 $1,000.00
21 Domestic Water Heating $8,605.31 $409.78
5 Tankless Water Heater $3,000.00 $600.00
       
2,030 Home Energy Audits $278,200.00 $137.04
50 New Home Built Green Standard $88,760.00 $1,775.20
4 New Home Certification $8,000.00 $2,000.00
113 New Home EnerGuide Rating $271,200.00 $2,400.00
       
36 Commercial Conservation Upgrades $287,842.42 $7,995.62
15 Commercial Renewables $637,088.44 $42,472.56
6 Community Conservation Projects $31,334.62 $5,222.44
       
3,583 Insulation and Air Sealing $1,131,394.93 $315.77
337 Residential Solar Electric Installations $1,356,854.56 $4,026.27
27 Residential Solar Water Installations $75,225.77 $2,786.14
804 Windows and Doors $243,665.00 $303.07
1,905 Scratch and Win $162,187.75 $85.12
       
17,695 Total Rebates $6,294,338.78 $355.71

Awards for the HAT Smart Program

HAT Smart's environmental initiatives have garnered numerous awards since its inception, including the Provincial Emerald Award and the FCM Sustainable Community Award.

Emerald Awards Logo  Logo for Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Partners in environmental sustainability

The City of Medicine Hat recognizes that our most important partners in protecting the environment are the residents and businesses of Medicine Hat. We acknowledge and appreciate your role and your contributions to the continuing efforts towards environmental sustainability.

Get involved

There are many opportunities to play an active role in protecting our limited natural resources. Whether you're reducing home energy usage with the Self-Audit Toolkit, following a yard waste management program, taking part in recycling or reducing your water usage, there are many ways to get involved.

A simple way to stay aware of your impact is to track your consumption. Access your current and previous consumption data on an hourly, weekly or monthly basis on eUtility. It even shows you how weather influences electric and gas use.

Sign up for eUtility

Connecting with the public

City staff members visit civic groups, schools, and businesses to conduct activities and give presentations as well as attend trades shows to help encourage residents to conserve energy resources, reduce waste, and protect our water quality.

For more information, or to request presentations or tours of local facilities, please contact Customer Service.

More environmental support and funding

Home and property improvements that conserve energy or improve the environment benefit us all. Check out some of the following sources of funding to see if they fit your project.

External resources