The ecoENERGY Retrofit Program provides grants up to $5,000 to help homeowners make their homes more energy-efficient and reduce the burden of high energy costs. The Government of Canada has renewed the program from June 6, 2011 until March 31, 2012.
To be eligible for upcoming retrofits, new participants and past participants must first obtain a registration number. Click HERE to obtain a registration number.
All participants require a pre-retrofit evaluation before starting renovations, a post-retrofit evaluation and a signed grant application form by March 31, 2012. Participants must present all retrofit receipts at the post-retrofit evaluation. New participants are only eligible for product purchased on or after June 6, 2011, and installed after a pre-retrofit evaluation. Past participants are only eligible for products purchased and installed on or after June 6, 2011.
PLEASE NOTE that while the Provincial EcoENERGY program has been discontinued, the Government of Ontario will pay 50% of your Home Energy Audit, up to $150.
During your Home Energy Audit, an energy advisor will conduct a room-by-room assessment of your home including your attic, basement and crawlspaces. Your advisor will measure your home and determine how much of it is covered by windows, doors and skylights. They will inspect your insulation as well as your heating, cooling, ventilation and other equipment. Your advisor will also perform a "blower door" airtightness test to detect air leaks. Your audit will be easy and unobtrusive and should only take about 1 and a half to 3 hours, depending on the size and configuration of your house. You will be provided with a personalized Energy Efficiency Evaluation Report at the conclusion of the audit.
Many of the energy-saving upgrades identified by your Home Energy Audit will qualify you for rebates under the EcoENERGY Retrofit Program. These rebates from the Canadian Government can reimburse you up to $5,000 when you complete improvements identified by your audit.
Click HERE for a list of energy efficiency improvements and their corresponding rebate.
What are the Steps to get started?
Step One: Find an auditor and book your Home Energy Audit
Finding a home energy advisor is easy. Just enter your postal code here for a list of certified home evaluation companies in your area. Get quotes and schedule your Home Energy Audit with an energy advisor that's right for you. In most cases you can schedule an appointment within a week or two. The Government of Ontario will pay half of your pre-retrofit audit, up to $150.
Step Two: Your home energy auditor will find your home's energy leaks
During your Home Energy Audit, an energy advisor will find your home's energy leaks and show what you can do to plug them. Your energy advisor will provide you with your personalized Energy Efficiency Evaluation Report and a plan that can reduce your energy bills. Your report includes your home's EnerGuide rating. This shows how energy efficient your home is and how efficient it could be with energy-saving improvements.
Step Three: Plug the leaks with energy saving retrofits
Need a new furnace or water heater? Caulking around your windows and doors? Make some or all the upgrades suggested in your Energy Efficiency Report to improve your home's energy efficiency. Your report will show you the most important changes to maximize your energy savings.
Step Four: When your work is complete, book your post-retrofit audit
After your first audit, you have 18 months to complete some or all of the improvements suggested by your energy advisor to qualify for government rebates. After completing the work, book your post-retrofit audit. Your energy advisor will perform your audit and provide you with your home's new EnerGuide rating that shows how much you have improved your home's energy efficiency. A good EnerGuide rating can also increase the value of your home.
Step Five: Get up to $5,000 in Government Rebates
After your post-retrofit audit, the Government of Canada will rebate up to $5,000 for your energy efficient upgrades. The more energy-saving upgrades you make, the more money you'll get back, up to a total of $5,000.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
How much can homeowners expect to save in terms of annual energy use and greenhouse gas emissions?
Naturally, that depends on the condition of the home and the types of upgrades that are undertaken. Based on the average rebate amount, homeowners participating in the Retrofit Program will typically achieve up to a 30% reduction in energy use, as well as an average annual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of about 2.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Typically, this translates into annual savings of $600 a year on a $2,000 annual heating bill.
Can a homeowner apply for the rebate more than once for the same property?
No, only one rebate can be obtained for the same property. However, if the same owner owns more than one property, separate applications can (and must) be made for each property.
How much do audits cost?
The cost of a pre-retrofit audit typically ranges between $300 and $400. Companies may offer package deals like paying up front for the pre- and post-retrofit audits or other options in order to provide you with a lower price. You should contact several companies and ask about the service they will provide before selecting the company you would like to hire to perform your audit.
How long does it usually take for an audit or retrofit rebate to be issued?
Once you have completed an audit (pre-retrofit or post-retrofit), your energy advisor sends your application forms to the government. How quickly your forms are sent depends on your energy advisor, but energy advisors are supposed to submit your application forms to the government within four weeks. In general, once the government receives your file, the ministry will process your audit and/or retrofit rebates within six to eight weeks.
Is the retrofit rebate taxable?
No.
