Recently the Canadian Government introduced the Greener Homes initiative which includes grants of up to $5,000 for homeowners to complete renovations and retrofits that will increase their home’s energy-efficiency.
Since the initial announcement, some additional details of the program have been made available. To help clarify the details of this initiative, our team has reviewed the available documents and outlined the key details below.
What is the Greener Homes Program?
The federal government has established the Greener Homes Grant to help Canadian homeowners make their homes more comfortable and reduce their energy costs while decreasing their environmental impact. Basically, the initiative will assist in increasing the energy-efficiency of homes across the country, will help create new jobs for Canadian energy advisors and home renovation contractors as well as fight climate change.
To help achieve these goals, the Government of Canada is providing:
✔︎ Up to 700,000 grants of up to $5,000 to help Canadian homeowners make energy-efficient upgrades to their homes
✔︎ Support with EnerGuide home evaluations (worth up to $600) to provide expert advice to homeowners, so they can plan out their upgrades
✔︎ Recruitment and training of EnerGuide energy advisors to help meet the increased demand of home evaluations and create new jobs across the country.
Properties Eligible for the Greener Homes Grant:
- Single and semi-detached houses
- Row housing
- Townhomes
- Mobile homes on a permanent foundation
- Small multi-unit residential buildings (up to 3 storeys)
Note: Multi-unit dwellings over 3 storeys do not qualify for the grant.
What Retrofits will the Greener Homes Grant Help Cover?
The grant is designed to help make homes more energy-efficient by providing up to $5,000 for eligible retrofits, including:
- Home Insulation
- Windows and Doors Replacements
- Renewable Energy (ie: Installing Solar Panels)
- Heating
- Air-sealing (up to $1,000)
- Thermostats (must be combined with another retrofit, up to $50)
Steps to Plan your Home Retrofits:
Step 1: Register for and book your pre-retrofit evaluation: Your pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation is a key step in improving the energy efficiency of your home. This evaluation is required before undertaking any retrofits and must be performed by an NRCan registered energy advisor.
Step 2: Plan out and complete your home retrofits and document the upgrades: Once your EnerGuide evaluation is completed by your energy advisor, you should review the list of recommendations for your home retrofits and select which upgrades work best for your home and budget. You are required to complete at least one retrofit that is both eligible and recommended by your energy advisor. You can find your home’s recommendations in your Renovations Upgrade Report and on the online portal. Finally keep copies of all documents, including invoices, as they will be requested for the program.
Step 3: Book a post-retrofit evaluation and submit grant application: Once your home retrofits are completed, you may begin the reimbursement process. To receive your grant reimbursement you will need to book a post-retrofit evaluation and submit all the required documents.
Once your evaluation is complete, a new EnerGuide label and a post-evaluation report will show you how much more energy-efficient your home has become.
Looking for More Information?
Full details for the Greener Homes Grant, as well as the link to apply for the program can be found at the Canada Greener Homes Grant page: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy-efficiency/homes/canada-greener-homes-grant/23441