Ecoenergy
Encyclopedia
Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan's) ecoENERGY Retrofit program provides financial support to homeowners, small and medium-sized businesses, public institutions and industrial facilities to help them implement energy saving projects that reduce energy-related greenhouse gases (GHGs) and air pollution, thereby contributing to a cleaner environment for all Canadians.
While the maximum grant that a residential homeowner can get is $5,000, it depends on the specific renovations that the homeowner does. Specific examples of home improvements, and the amount of grant money available are:
Some provincial governments offer home improvement grants that complement the federal ecoENERGY Retrofit program. Those provinces may include: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. In some cases, the provincial government matches the federal ecoENERGY grant dollar-for-dollar. Ontario is no longer matching the federal ecoENERGY grants, but instead offers a rebate up to $150 off the cost of a pre-retrofit energy audit.
The steps that residential homeowners have to follow to get the ecoENERGY Retrofit grant are as follows:
(1) Have an energy audit done on your home (the Natural Resource Canada website has a list of certified energy auditors, based on location). The energy audit will detail which areas of your home would benefit from energy-efficiency improvements, and will assign a score to your home's energy efficiency.
(2) Undertake renovations to make your home more energy-efficient. You do not necessarily need to perform all or only the upgrades suggested by your energy advisor. You can be eligible for any grants included in the program as long as you meet all of the grant requirement set out in the ecoENERGY grant brochure.
(3) Have a post-renovation energy audit done. This will determine your home's new energy efficiency score.
(4) The energy auditor will send the report to Natural Resources Canada. Natural Resources Canada will then send you a cheque. If there is a complementary provincial grant program, Natural Resources Canada will contact the relevant provincial department automatically, and you will be sent a cheque from the provincial government, as well.
The ecoENERGY grant program was extended on June 6, 2011, and will run through to March 31, 2012. You must have your pre- and post-retrofit audits completed between these dates in order to be eligible for ecoENERGY grants.
Homeowners that participated in the ecoENERGY in the past are also eligible for additional grants for upgrades performed after June 6, 2011, provided that the upgrades meet the grant eligibility requirements, and that they re-register on the ecoENERGY website and arrange to have another post-retrofit audit. The grant maximum of $5,000 still applies, and includes any federal grants that were received in the past.
Residential
ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes is available to owners of single family homes including detached, semi-detached and low rise multi-unit residential buildings. Property owners can qualify for federal grants by improving the energy efficiency of their homes, and reducing their home's impact on the environment. The maximum grant one can receive per home or multi-unit residential building is $5,000; whereas the total grant amount available to one individual or entity for eligible properties over the life of the program is $500,000.While the maximum grant that a residential homeowner can get is $5,000, it depends on the specific renovations that the homeowner does. Specific examples of home improvements, and the amount of grant money available are:
- Upgrading heating system (up to $4,375)
- Upgrade water heater (up to $375)
- Install insulation in exterior walls (up to $1,875)
Some provincial governments offer home improvement grants that complement the federal ecoENERGY Retrofit program. Those provinces may include: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. In some cases, the provincial government matches the federal ecoENERGY grant dollar-for-dollar. Ontario is no longer matching the federal ecoENERGY grants, but instead offers a rebate up to $150 off the cost of a pre-retrofit energy audit.
The steps that residential homeowners have to follow to get the ecoENERGY Retrofit grant are as follows:
(1) Have an energy audit done on your home (the Natural Resource Canada website has a list of certified energy auditors, based on location). The energy audit will detail which areas of your home would benefit from energy-efficiency improvements, and will assign a score to your home's energy efficiency.
(2) Undertake renovations to make your home more energy-efficient. You do not necessarily need to perform all or only the upgrades suggested by your energy advisor. You can be eligible for any grants included in the program as long as you meet all of the grant requirement set out in the ecoENERGY grant brochure.
(3) Have a post-renovation energy audit done. This will determine your home's new energy efficiency score.
(4) The energy auditor will send the report to Natural Resources Canada. Natural Resources Canada will then send you a cheque. If there is a complementary provincial grant program, Natural Resources Canada will contact the relevant provincial department automatically, and you will be sent a cheque from the provincial government, as well.
The ecoENERGY grant program was extended on June 6, 2011, and will run through to March 31, 2012. You must have your pre- and post-retrofit audits completed between these dates in order to be eligible for ecoENERGY grants.
Homeowners that participated in the ecoENERGY in the past are also eligible for additional grants for upgrades performed after June 6, 2011, provided that the upgrades meet the grant eligibility requirements, and that they re-register on the ecoENERGY website and arrange to have another post-retrofit audit. The grant maximum of $5,000 still applies, and includes any federal grants that were received in the past.
Commercial and Industrial
Natural Resources Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency is no longer offering the ecoENERGY Retrofit Incentive for Buildings, the commercial/institutional component of the ecoENERGY Retrofit financial incentives for existing homes, buildings and industrial processes.External links
- ecoENERGY Initiative - Using Less, Living Better
- ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes Program - Residential Program
- Natural Resources Canada: Home Retrofit Grant Brochure and Eligibility
- Carbon Dioxide Reduction Edmonton
- Natural Resources Canada: Assessment Ratings
- Natural Resources Canada: Office of Energy Efficiency – ecoENERGY Retrofit