Upgrades, rebates & grants

[puppyluv]

We have been seriosuly looking at upgrades to our house this year, ways to make it more energy effeicient etc. There are different programs out there right now for us to take advantage of, regardless of our income.There is one for a grrant or an interest free loan of up to %10,000, as well as a rebate for specigic things upgraded and rated. The latter requires an energy efficeincy test, which we are scheduling this week with S.H. I am amazed at how much money is out there for people who want to upgrade, but have no idea about the financial rebates etc..So I am sharing this information! Buolding a new home? You can ever get rebates back for building it the right way!

By the way, there is also a $100. coupon on the internet right now to save on the inspection fee!!!


*Taken from the Sustainable Housing website*
About the Service
The residential energy assessment initiative has been developed by the Office of Energy Efficiency of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to help property owners make retrofit choices that improve the comfort and energy efficiency of their home. This program is also called the EnerGuide for Houses Service in many provincial jurisdictions.

Sustainable Housing is a licensed and independent service organization that will identify how your home uses energy and where it is being wasted. Our qualified and experienced advisors will show you how to improve the comfort of your home and cut heating costs, while ensuring adequate ventilation for a healthy indoor environment for your family.

The government of Canada provides grants to property owners who complete energy efficiency retrofits based on our recommendations. Owners of low-rise residential rental properties may also qualify for a grant.

The grant amount is based on carrying out energy efficiency retrofits such as increasing your attic insulation or replacing your heating system with a qualified ENERGY STAR model. Only homes that have undergone a residential energy efficiency assessment will be eligible for grants.

How does the residential energy assessment service work?

The service includes:
1) a detailed energy evaluation of your home carried out by one of our licensed energy advisors
2) a “blower door” test to find air leaks
3) a printed report that shows where your energy dollars are being spent and what you can do to improve your home’s energy efficiency
4) an energy efficiency rating label that shows you how energy efficient your home is compared with others in your region

When should you use the residential energy assessment service?

Does your home have comfort problems such as drafts, cold spots or frosted windows?
Find the source of these problems and get information about repairing them.

Are you concerned about energy costs?
Homes that are more than 25 years old have the potential to save an average of 35 percent of their energy use. Homes that are more than 50 years old could achieve even greater savings-an average of 38 percent.

Renovating or retrofitting?
Our energy advisors use state-of-the-art evaluation practices and can advise on the best modern techniques and types of products.

Upgrading your heating and cooling system?
Energy efficient improvements can make a difference to the size of the heating and cooling system that your home needs.

Selling your house?
After you have made energy efficiency upgrades and comfort improvements to your home, the energy efficiency rating label shows potential buyers how much you have improved your home’s energy efficiency and how it compares to other homes in your area.

Want to find out how to reduce your footprint on the environment?
Natural Resources Canada data shows that property owners who participated in this program would reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by almost 4.6 tonnes per year if they undertook all the retrofits recommended.

The benefits of the residential energy assessment service

Peace of mind
Our qualified, licensed energy advisors provide unbiased advice on how to improve your home’s energy use. This service is quality-assured by our technical advisor as well as by the Government of Canada to ensure the integrity of the service.

Understanding your options
The residential energy assessment service provides a thorough basement-to-attic assessment of your home’s energy use. Our energy advisor’s written report will help you to plan retrofits that will improve the energy efficiency of your home or multi-unit residential building. It is up to you as the homeowner to decide what retrofits you wish to undertake. Our Energy Advisors will make a number of recommendations on how you can improve the efficiency and you choose which ones will be done. You are responsible for choosing the contractor and for ensuring that the work is done properly.

Proof of Upgrades
After you have completed your energy upgrades, our experts will provide you with a second (post-retrofit) evaluation and a new energy efficiency rating label that indicates your home’s improved energy use.

Grants toward your retrofit expenses
Only homes that have had pre- and post-retrofit evaluations are eligible for grants. The grant amount is based on each of the recommended retrofits you have completed and the relative impact the retrofits have on the energy efficiency of your home.

Taking action to alleviate climate change
The use of energy from fossil fuels is a major cause of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Canadians are being encouraged to use less energy. Make our contribution to help protect our environment by using the residential energy assessment service.


Who is eligible for grants?

Here are the main criteria:
• detached, semi-detached and row houses and low-rise residential buildings of three storeys or less, as well as mobile homes on a permanent foundation
• only homes that have undergone a pre- and post-retrofit assessment are eligible. (Click here to book an evaluation on-line) You can only apply once per property
• grants are available for work done within an 18 month timeframe.

How do I apply for a grant?

It’s easy! Sustainable Housing will apply for the grant on your behalf after you have completed the energy efficiency retrofits and your home has had the post-retrofit evaluation. We will prepare the paperwork for you to sign and we will be able to tell you exactly how much you can expect to receive. We forward the application directly to NRCan who mails the grant directly to you within 90 days.

[puppyluv]

*Taken from the Gov webstite*
Who is eligible for grants?
For full details on eligibility, consult your local NRCan-licensed service organization or check the Questions and Answers section of this site.

Here are the main criteria:

You can apply for a grant for a property that you own and live in or rent out. This includes detached, semi-detached and row houses and low-rise residential buildings of three storeys or less (with a footprint of less than 600 square metres), as well as mobile homes on a permanent foundation.


Grants are available for work done within a specific time frame, so it is important to talk to your local service organization about the eligibility of your house as soon as you are ready to plan and undertake your energy efficiency retrofits. You have 18 months from the date of your pre-retrofit evaluation to complete the work and qualify for a grant.


Only homes that have undergone a pre- and post-retrofit residential energy assessment service by an NRCan-licensed advisor will be eligible. You will be able to apply only once per property.


Homeowners must carry out specific improvements in order to qualify for a grant. NRCan-licensed energy advisors will be able to tell you which retrofits have the greatest impact on your home's efficiency. The greater the improvement, the more the grant will be.


It is you – the property owner – who decides what retrofits recommended by your energy advisor you wish to undertake. You are responsible for choosing a contractor and for ensuring that the work is performed properly. It is important that you get a detailed written contract between you and your contractor in order to prevent problems later on. The residential energy assessment service does not assess the quality of the work performed – it evaluates only the retrofit's impact on the energy efficiency of your home.

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How do you apply for a grant?
It's easy. Your energy advisor will apply for the grant on your behalf after you have completed the energy efficiency retrofits and your home has been re-assessed. Your advisor will prepare the paperwork for you to sign and will be able to tell you exactly how much you can expect to receive. Your energy advisor will then forward your application to NRCan.

A table of retrofits has been established to show the payment for the completion of each recommended upgrade. The grant amount has been determined by the relative effectiveness of that particular upgrade in reducing energy or water use, and not directly on the cost of the upgrade, which will vary depending on location, local pricing and labour costs, size of house, etc. Note: Refer to Retrofit Your Home and Qualify for a Grant! for grant amounts related to retrofits.

A grant application must be submitted to NRCan no later than 18 months after the date of the pre-retrofit evaluation. You can expect to receive your cheque within 90 days of your follow-up evaluation.

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Efficiency NB offers new homeowners a grant if their home has an EnerGuide rating of 80 or higher. There are four versions of this grant:


A Basic Grant of $1,000 for first owners of new homes that achieve an EnerGuide rating of at least 80 or are R-2000 certified, regardless of the heating system type.


Central Heating – Electric Grant of $2,000 for first owners of new homes that achieve an EnerGuide rating of at least 80 or are R-2000 certified; AND have an electric boiler, furnace or ENERGY STAR qualified (or equivalent) air source heat pump as the primary source of heating.


Central Heating – Non-Electric Grant of $3,000 is available to first owners of new homes that achieve an EnerGuide rating of at least 80 or are R-2000 certified; AND have an eligible non-electric central heating system.


An additional incentive of $250 is available to homeowners who install ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and lighting

[puppyluv]

I also have the listings of what upgrades etc qualify for rebates I will scan later and pop in.. Hope this helps anyone looking at renovating!

[dan j]

I'm looking at double dipping for the federal and the provincial programs as well. They actually promote the double dipping! yay

[puppyluv]

I know! Isnt that a wild incentive!!!

[monoke]

I don't quite understand. You get the inspection, get the work done, get another inspection, then maybe get the loan? Haven't you already paid for the upgrades? Not a lot of people can afford to pay up front.

[puppyluv]

That is exactly how it is done. The work gets rated on what has been done.

[monoke]

So it is not to help those that need it most is it. Not trying to argue here, good post for some.

[puppyluv]

Well, I also know that there is one for lower incomes as well. Through NB Housing I believe. You could apply for a short term loan until the grant comes in as well.