Grants under ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes
Questions and Answers
Questions
- What is the ecoENERGY Retrofit program?
- How much can homeowners expect to save in terms of annual energy use and greenhouse gas emissions?
- What types of properties are eligible for a grant?
- Do existing homes and multiple unit residential buildings of any age qualify under the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program?
- I recently built (or am building) a house. Am I eligible for a grant?
- Is the Retrofit grant taxable?
- I received a grant under the old EnerGuide for Houses Retrofit Incentive. Am I eligible to receive another under the new program?
- Does the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program include new retrofit measures and incentives that were not part of the old EnerGuide for Houses initiative?
- Are the grants based on how much I spend for upgrades?
- Can I do the work myself and receive a grant?
- How do I get started? And how will I know which upgrades qualify and how much of a grant I will be entitled to?
- Do I get an energy rating of my house?
- When can I apply for the grant?
- How does the grant application process work?
- Where can I find a service organization that can provide energy assessments?
- What happens if the service organization that performs my first (pre-retrofit) energy assessment ceases to deliver the service?
- Do you want to become an NRCan-licensed service organization and participate in a Request for Proposal (RFP) process?
- I am a professional renovator. Can I deliver the energy assessment service as well as provide my renovation services to my customers?
- How much time do homeowners have to complete the work?
- I already started my renovations, can I still apply for a grant?
- My furnace broke. It's an emergency, can I apply?
- My air conditioning system broke. Can I apply?
- Are mobile homes eligible?
- Does municipal housing also qualify?
- I rent a house, can I participate?
- Is Aboriginal housing eligible under the program?
- Why is a high-rise condominium property excluded from the program?
- I live in a town home and have a condominium corporation, am I eligible to participate?
- Is co-op housing eligible?
- I own rental properties, are these eligible?
- I am not a Canadian citizen, but I own rental properties in Canada. Can I participate and receive a grant?
- I own a cottage / four-season recreational property, is this eligible?
- What are the requirements for low-flush toilets and how can I find the list of qualified products?
- What manufacturers of Drain Water Heat Recovery Systems are eligible under ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes?
- What are the CSA standards for solar domestic hot water systems?
- What is the effective thermal resistance of foil-faced bubble insulation and other similar products recognized by NRCan to model homes?
- What should I look for in an earth energy system (i.e., GeoExchange™, geothermal, ground- or water-source heat pump)?
- Are rebates and incentives available for the construction of energy efficient new homes?
Answers
1. What is the ecoENERGY Retrofit program?
On January 21, 2007, the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources, announced the $220-million ecoENERGY Retrofit program to be launched on April 1, 2007. ecoENERGY Retrofit offers incentives for energy efficiency improvements in homes as well as in small and medium-sized organizations in the institutional, commercial and industrial sectors.
ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes is designed to help homeowners and owners of existing low-rise properties make smart energy retrofit decisions that will result in significant energy savings and a cleaner environment. The first step in participating in ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes is to call for a professional energy assessment provided by an energy advisor licensed by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). The advisor will perform a pre-retrofit assessment of the home and provide you with your own personalized action checklist of upgrades that will reduce your energy consumption.
Find an energy advisor near you.
2. How much can homeowners expect to save in terms of annual energy use and greenhouse gas emissions?
The average grant is expected to yield reductions in energy use of approximately 30 percent and greenhouse gas emission reductions of approximately 4 tonnes per house. By implementing the energy retrofit recommendations, a typical homeowner could save $700 a year on a $2,000 annual heating bill.
3. What types of properties are eligible for a grant?
ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes offers grants to owners of low-rise residential properties defined as dwellings under Parts 2 and 9 of the National Building Code of Canada. These include single detached and attached homes (e.g. row housing, duplexes and triplexes), small multi-unit residential buildings including some small apartment buildings of three storeys or less built on a maximum footprint area of 600 square metres or less, and mobile homes on a permanent foundation.
4. Do existing homes and multiple unit residential buildings of any age qualify under the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program?
ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes is designed to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Canada's existing housing stock. There is no restriction as to the age of an existing house or building but those built before 1985 will benefit the most as they have the potential for more significant energy improvements.
5. I recently built (or am building) a house. Am I eligible for a grant?
ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes is designed to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Canada's existing housing stock. New houses are not the program's focus, primarily because they are already quite efficient. Houses under construction are not eligible for grants.
If you are building a house, making it an energy-efficient home is a sound investment. Not only will it pay you back in energy savings year after year, it is one of the most environmentally friendly housing choices you can make.
6. Is the Retrofit grant taxable?
No.
7. I received a grant under the old EnerGuide for Houses Retrofit Incentive. Am I eligible to receive another under the new program?
Yes, but only for additional work performed on your home. You will not be eligible for a grant under the new program for the same upgrades covered by the first grant. However, you may apply to ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes if you have completed further energy efficiency retrofits.
8. Does the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program include new retrofit measures and incentives that were not part of the old EnerGuide for Houses initiative?
Yes, new measures that reduce energy consumption and provide for a cleaner environment have been added. Newly eligible retrofits include the replacement of your cooling equipment with ENERGY STAR® qualified models, the installation of solar hot water heaters, water-saving toilets and grey water heat-recovery systems. These are just a few of the possible upgrades that are covered.
9. Are the grants based on how much I spend for upgrades?
No. The grant is based on the individual upgrades completed. A flat incentive amount has been calculated for each qualifying upgrade, and the upgrades that save the most energy have the highest value. The potential grant is calculated by adding the total incentive amounts of the upgrades recommended in the Energy Efficiency Evaluation Report's action checklist that is presented by your energy advisor. This makes it easier for you to decide which renovations you want to carry out from the action checklist and in which order you would like to complete them. The grant is based on the total amounts for those retrofits you have completed.
10. Can I do the work myself and receive a grant?
Yes, provided that you receive a pre-retrofit energy assessment by a qualified energy advisor. To receive a grant, you must obtain a post-retrofit assessment after the upgrades have been carried out. It is important that you keep a copy of the invoices for the materials purchased for the upgrades as you may be asked to submit a copy to NRCan. Homeowners are responsible for ensuring that they obtain all necessary permits and meet all municipal and provincial requirements.
11. a) I understand there are similar financial assistance programs in my province based on ecoENERGY Retrofit. Am I eligible for both the federal and provincial programs?
Yes.
11. b) I already received a provincial grant not matched by EnerGuide for Houses. Am I eligible to claim an ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes grant?
No, not for the same work. You can apply for additional work.
12. How do I get started? And how will I know which upgrades qualify and how much of a grant I will be entitled to?
Your first step is to consider if you are ready to invest in renovations that will save energy and money. Once you are ready, contact a licensed service organization to book an appointment for your energy assessment. Although all renovations started prior to obtaining a pre-retrofit energy assessment are not eligible for a grant, the home must be in such a state that the energy advisor can assess the building to make recommendations for improvement.
A grant depends on individual upgrades completed. The Energy Efficiency Evaluation Report provided by your advisor following your pre-retrofit assessment includes a personalized list of upgrades and the grant amounts you can expect to receive should you carry out the recommended home improvements. In addition, the report will indicate the relative impact the upgrades will have on the home's energy efficiency level.
The average grant for a single property is expected to be over $1,000. The maximum grant available for one home or multi-unit residential building is $5,000. Property owners of multiple residential buildings are eligible for up to $500,000 over the life of the program ending March 31, 2011.
13. Do I get an energy rating of my house?
Yes. In addition to the personalized action checklist that is used to calculate the grant, the energy advisor provides the homeowner with an EnerGuide rating and label for the house, before and after renovations. This information is also made available to participating provincial partners that also use the EnerGuide rating system within their programs. Any personal information that owners provide is protected under the federal Privacy Act.
14. When can I apply for the grant?
With the launch of the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program effective April 1, 2007, applications can now be accepted.
15. How does the grant application process work?
The energy advisor submits an electronic data file to NRCan that includes the results of the post-retrofit assessment once it is completed. The advisor completes a grant application form on behalf of the homeowner, presents it for his/her signature, then once approved, submits it to NRCan for processing. A copy of the application form remains with the homeowner, who can expect a cheque in the mail within 60 days from the time the application is received by NRCan.
16. Where can I find a service organization that can provide energy assessments?
A full list of licensed service organizations is available on our Contact an Energy Advisor Web page.
17. What happens if the service organization that performs my first (pre-retrofit) energy assessment ceases to deliver the service?
The service organization that performs your first assessment submits your electronic file to NRCan within 30 days from the date of service. If during the 18-month period after you have received this service the organization ceases to deliver and you have gone ahead with and completed the recommended upgrades, you could then: 1) call another service organization; and 2) provide them with your file number, your name and address as it appeared on the previous report along with your phone number.
NRCan would then supply this service organization with your electronic file so that you can schedule your follow-up energy assessment.
18. Do you want to become an NRCan-licensed service organization and participate in a Request for Proposal (RFP) process?
Join our roster of NRCan-licensed energy advisors and help your fellow Canadians reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced through energy use. You will also help to contribute to clean air, water, energy and healthy indoor environments. Current RFPs are posted.
19. I am a professional renovator. Can I deliver the energy assessment service as well as provide my renovation services to my customers?
Unlike the EnerGuide for Houses Retrofit Incentive, NRCan now permits qualified renovators to obtain a licence to provide the energy assessment service. This change is intended to offer the homeowner a faster service. Of course, it is always at the discretion of the homeowner to make the decision about who will perform the upgrades, and renovators must meet the same stringent requirements as independent service organizations.
20. How much time do homeowners have to complete the work?
Starting from the time you receive your pre-retrofit energy assessment, you have 18 months to complete the upgrades selected from the Energy Efficiency Evaluation Report's action checklist and obtain your post-retrofit assessment.
If you are a property owner of Aboriginal housing that meets the eligibility criteria, the 18-month time limit is waived in the event of possible delays in getting the necessary materials to the site and in obtaining approvals.
21. I already started my renovations, can I still apply for a grant?
Unfortunately, all renovations started prior to obtaining a pre-retrofit energy assessment are not eligible for a grant. All energy-related renovations undertaken thereafter are eligible as long as they are listed in the Eligible Improvements / Retrofits table. The only exception is that of a furnace as outlined in the following question.
22. My furnace broke down. It's an emergency, can I apply?
Yes, in the case of an emergency furnace replacement, the homeowner must call a service organization within three days of the system replacement to schedule his/her pre-retrofit assessment and must keep sufficient information regarding the older furnace (see eligibility criteria below) to ensure proper disclosure.
Customers calling a service organization LATER THAN three days after the heating equipment has been replaced cannot be considered.
Eligibility criteria
As a rule, customers are required to have an ecoENERGY pre-retrofit evaluation performed before they replace or install anything, including heating equipment, if they want that upgrade work to become eligible towards a grant.
However, NRCan has developed a policy specifically to help homeowners who find that their heating equipment needs to be replaced.
- The heating system must have been red flagged by the utility, service technician or building inspector for safety reasons, or
- The furnace cannot be repaired and needs to be replaced.
Homeowners wishing to apply for a grant towards the new equipment, but who did not have an ecoENERGY evaluation performed prior to the replacement, would be covered under this policy, provided they meet both the grant eligibility criteria and all of the following requirements:
- The existing equipment must be replaced with equipment meeting the requirements listed in the ecoENERGY Retrofit Homes Eligible Improvements / Retrofits table.
- A copy of the invoice indicating the information listed below must be provided to the energy advisor by the homeowner at the initial evaluation:
- supplier's business name, address and phone number
- date of installation (where no installation date is supplied on the invoice, the date of the invoice will be assumed to be the installation date)
- manufacturer's product number, and
- the stated efficiency of the product or a note indicating that it is ENERGY STAR qualified
- The heating contractor must have provided the client with the following information about the equipment that is being removed, which must be provided to the energy advisor:
- Fuel type (natural gas, propane or oil)
- Type of system (forced air, hydronic or radiant)
- Age of equipment (if known)
- Type of venting (e.g., chimney, side vent, barometric damper)
- Rated efficiency, output and input from the nameplate
- Last upgrade, if any (e.g., oil burner gun/assembly)
and,
- The initial ecoENERGY evaluation must be completed within 30 calendar days of the installation date of the new heating system.
23. My air conditioning system broke. Can I apply?
If your window or central air conditioning system breaks, a pre-retrofit evaluation must be performed BEFORE replacing it in order to be eligible for a grant for the air conditioner. It is recommended that you consider additional retrofits that could improve your home's energy efficiency BEFORE you schedule a pre-retrofit evaluation since the energy assessment in not meant to replace air conditioners. ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes is designed to support homeowners who take steps to reduce their energy consumption which in turn helps to reduce greenhouse gases. By simply replacing a cooling system without considering and undertaking any other energy-saving measures, the value of the incentive or grant may not be sufficient to justify both pre- and post-retrofit evaluations.
24. Are mobile homes eligible?
Yes, mobile homes can participate in the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program provided that they are situated on a permanent foundation and that the property tax roll is in the name of the homeowner.
25. Does municipal housing also qualify?
The homes held by municipal social housing agencies can also participate in the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program. Agencies with multiple residential buildings that meet the requirements are eligible for up to $500,000 over the life of the four-year program ending March 31, 2011.
26. I rent a house, can I participate?
Yes, any rental property that meets the eligibility criteria can participate. Note: It is the property owner who is eligible for the grant; therefore, we suggest that you speak with your landlord.
27. Is Aboriginal housing eligible under the program?
Yes. First Nation, Band Council and Tribal Council housing is eligible under the program. The maximum grant available for one home or multi-unit residential building is $5,000. Owners of multiple residential buildings are eligible for up to $500,000 over the life of the four-year program ending March 31, 2011.
28. Why is a high-rise condominium property excluded from the program?
The reason for excluding larger buildings from ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes is that, because of their construction, these buildings perform very differently than low-rise buildings and the energy assessment protocols must vary accordingly. The main differences in conducting an energy assessment in a high-rise are the size, complexity and type of the heating, hot water and ventilation systems. They also have common areas and services (such as elevators) and construction details (such as depressurization zones for fire control).
29. I live in a town home and have a condominium corporation, am I eligible to participate?
Yes, all low-rise condominium properties that meet the requirements of the eligibility criteria (see answer #2) are eligible. Therefore, you and your co-owners can participate in the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program.
30. Is co-op housing eligible?
Co-op housing is a type of ownership and not a building type. If the building meets the eligibility criteria (see answer #3), you and your co-owners are eligible to participate.
31. I own rental properties, are these eligible?
Yes, both single family homes and multiple-unit low-rise residential buildings held by rental property owners are eligible under the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program provided that they meet the eligibility criteria. Owners of multiple residential buildings are eligible to receive up to $500,000 over the life of the program ending March 31, 2011.
32. I am not a Canadian citizen, but I own rental properties in Canada. Can I participate and receive a grant?
Yes, property owners who are not Canadians citizens can participate in the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program. The property must meet the eligibility criteria and the grant cheque must be mailed to a Canadian location. Owners of multiple residential buildings are eligible for up to $500,000 over the life of the program ending March 31, 2011.
33. I own a cottage / four-season recreational property, is this eligible?
No. Recreational properties are not eligible under ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes.
34. What are the requirements for low-flush toilets and how can I find the list of qualified products?
Eligible low-flush or dual-flush models must be:
- rated at 6 litres per flush or less
- meet the Los Angeles Supplementary Purchase Specification (shown as SPS on the list); and
- have a flush performance of 350 grams or more.
Here's how you can search for a list of qualified products:
- On the Internet, enter the: www.veritec.ca
Web site address - Select the “Reports” button
- Select the most recent edition of the MaP report (MaP Report 10th Edition version was the most recent version in July 2007)
- Download the report
- Go to the appendix with the list of toilets sorted by performance
- Look for SPS and ≥ 350 g
Important: Homeowners must keep proof of the make and model number to ensure compliance and show this to the Advisor at the time of the evaluation.
35. What manufacturers of Drain Water Heat Recovery Systems are eligible under ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes?
There are currently four manufacturers of drain water heat recovery systems. The manufacturers are:
- Renewability Energy Inc. (PowerPipe)
- Waterfilm Energy Inc. (GFX)
- ReTherm Energy Systems Inc. (ReTherm)
- WaterCycles Energy Recovery Inc. (Watercycle)
Note: Homemade systems are not eligible for the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes incentive.
36. What are the CSA standards for solar domestic hot water systems?
The standard entitled CAN/CSA-F378-87 Solar Collectors applies to solar collectors. For solar collectors that produce heat, see “Glazed Water Heating Solar Collectors – Flat Plate Collectors” and “Glazed Water Heating Solar Collectors – Evacuated Tube Collectors” sections of the list for eligible systems.
Note: At a future date, system installations will have to be certified as per CAN/CSA-F379.1-88 Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems for packaged systems designed for single-family dwellings; and CAN/CSA-F383-87 Installation Code for Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems for the installation and commissioning of packaged systems for single-family dwellings.
37. What is the effective thermal resistance of foil-faced bubble insulation and other similar products recognized by NRCan to model homes?
At this time, despite claims made by Canadian manufacturers and salespeople, and unless otherwise proven by a respected third-party testing agency against a recognized standard for the testing of such reflective materials, NRCan recommends the following effective thermal resistance maximum values for foil-faced bubble insulation products or the foil-faced portion of a laminated layer of foam or fibre-based insulation board when modeling them in the simulation software.
- RSI 0.26 (R 1.5) where the bubble layer is between two layers of foil without air spaces in front of the foil.
- RSI 0.53 (R 3) where the bubble layer is between two layers of foil with only one air space in front of the interior facing foil.
- RSI 0.62 (R 3.5) where the bubble layer is between two layers of foil with air spaces in front of the foils.
- RSI 0.62 (R 3.5) where the foil layer is between two clear layers of bubbles acting as air spaces
NRCan does not comment on other characteristics of foil-faced bubble insulation, such as its flexibility, its air/vapour barrier characteristics or its ability to reflect solar radiation in cooling climates. The intent is to provide information on the effective insulation value accepted by NRCan for this type of product, for the purpose of modeling houses under the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program.
38. What should I look for in an earth energy system (i.e., GeoExchange™, geothermal, ground- or water-source heat pump)?
For more information on earth energy systems including a current list of accredited installers, designers, and drillers, please contact the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition at www.geo-exchange.ca or call 514-807-7559.
The system must meet the following standards:
- CAN/CSA-C448 Design and Installation of Earth Energy Systems; and
- CAN/CSA-C13256-1-01 Water-Source Heat Pumps – Testing and Rating for Performance – Part 1: Water-to-Air and Brine-to-Air Heat Pumps or
- CAN/CSA-C13256-2-01 Water-Source Heat Pumps – Testing and Rating for Performance – Part 2: Water-to-Water and Brine-to-Water Heat Pumps
Finally, we strongly recommend that the design and installation be performed by a professional accredited by the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition.
IMPORTANT: As of January 1, 2008, all eligible systems must be certified by the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition. In the interim, the system installer must complete a “CSA 448 Design and Installation Compliance & Commissioning Report” (available from the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition), forward it to the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition and provide a copy to the homeowner. The homeowner must then show this copy to the energy advisor at the time of the post-retrofit evaluation in order to be eligible for a grant.
39. Are rebates and incentives available for the construction of energy efficient new homes?
There are currently no rebates or incentives being offered at the federal level. However, there are several regional rebates and incentives available for homebuyers and homebuilders. Check our list of rebates and incentives to see if any apply to you. You may also want to consider contacting Home Builder's Associations and Utilities for information on local and regional programs and incentives.