Natural Resources Canada
2003/88
October 21, 2003
ENERGUIDE FOR HOUSES RETROFIT INCENTIVE LAUNCHED
OTTAWA — Canadian homeowners who successfully
increase the energy efficiency of their houses will receive a helping
hand from the Government of Canada. The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister
of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), today announced that grant applications
for the EnerGuide for Houses Retrofit Incentive are now being accepted.
Under this initiative, the average incentive to Canadians who make qualified
energy-efficiency improvements to their homes is expected to be about
$1,000.
“In the Climate Change Plan for Canada, we’ve asked
Canadians to take the One Tonne Challenge — reduce their personal
greenhouse gas emissions by one tonne,” said Minister Dhaliwal.
“A key way to achieve this goal is by cutting the energy we use
in heating and lighting our homes. This program will help Canadians make
efficiency improvements, decrease their own energy bills and do their
part in responding to climate change.”
More than $73 million is being invested in the EnerGuide for Houses
Retrofit Incentive, a three-year program that is operated by NRCan’s
Office of Energy Efficiency. It will encourage homeowners, particularly
those with less energy-efficient older homes, to reduce energy use in
two ways.
First, the Government of Canada, through EnerGuide for Houses, will
share the cost of home energy evaluations that will recommend energy-efficiency
improvements to homeowners. The evaluation can cost between $225 and $325,
but NRCan partially subsidizes the cost by $150 per house.
Second, grants will be provided, through the EnerGuide for Houses Retrofit
Incentive, once homeowners complete energy-efficiency improvements. To
be eligible for a grant, homeowners must have an EnerGuide for Houses
evaluation of their home done before and after making energy-efficiency
improvements. The amount of the grant will depend on the difference between
the EnerGuide for Houses rating before retrofits and after they are done.
The greater the improvement in a home’s energy-efficiency rating,
the greater the grant will be. Homeowners have 18 months after the first
evaluation is done to have the retrofits completed, have the second evaluation
done and apply for the incentive.
“When it comes to climate change, we all have a role to play —
individuals, governments and industry,” said Minister Dhaliwal.
“I’m proud that this initiative will give Canadians some of
the tools and information they need to take on the One Tonne Challenge.
I’m equally proud that it demonstrates the Government of Canada’s
commitment to support Canadians who want to join our efforts by taking
action now.”
The EnerGuide for Houses Retrofit Incentive and the One Tonne Challenge
are part of the Climate Change Plan for Canada that was released
in November 2002. These initiatives advance the Government of Canada’s
commitment to the sustainable development of our natural resources —
contributing to their economic importance and to a strong society and
communities through knowledge, innovation, technology and international
leadership. By integrating our economic, social and environmental goals,
we can ensure our quality of life and build the Canada we want, for ourselves
and for future generations.
Funding for these activities was outlined in the details of $1 billion
worth of programs and initiatives announced by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien
on August 12, 2003.
For more information, media may contact:
Alexandra Muir
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
(613) 947-8246 |
Ghyslain Charron
Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
(613) 992-4447 |
Barbara Mullally-Pauly
Senior Chief, Housing Programs
Office of Energy Efficiency
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
(613) 995-2945
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Details of the EnerGuide for Houses Retrofit Incentive are available
at energuideforhouses.gc.ca,
or by calling 1-800 O-Canada (1 800 622-6232), TTY 1 800 465-7735.
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