ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes

New in Canada's Economic Action Plan

Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government has expanded the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program by $505 million to help property owners make their homes more energy efficient. On April 1, 2009, grant amounts were increased by 25 per cent. Homeowners are encouraged to act now to take advantage of this special, limited-time offer.  

About the Program

ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes provides home and property owners with grants of up to $5,000 to offset the cost of making energy-efficiency improvements. The grants apply to a range of measures that reduce energy consumption and provide for a cleaner environment, from increasing insulation to upgrading a furnace. The maximum grant for property owners with multiple properties is $500,000.

How It Works

Before undertaking any energy-efficiency renovations, the homeowner hires an energy advisor certified by Natural Resources Canada to perform an energy evaluation on the home. The homeowner selects which improvements to do and implements the recommended energy upgrades, leaving time to ensure that the post-retrofit evaluation is completed within 18 months or before March 31, 2011, whichever comes first. The homeowner calls the energy advisor to perform the post-retrofit evaluation, which will confirm the home's new energy rating. The advisor submits the ecoENERGY Retrofit grant application to the Government of Canada. If applicable, the application will also be forwarded to the collaborating provincial and territorial retrofit program for further financial reimbursement. Approved reimbursements are then sent out to applicants.

Who Is Eligible

Owners of single-family homes (detached, semi-detached and low-rise, multi-unit residential buildings that are no more than three storeys high) are eligible. Additionally, owners of some small buildings less than three storeys high, where at least 50 per cent of the floor area is used for permanent residences, are also eligible.

How to Find Out More

For more information, please visit the ecoACTION Web site. Information is also available from the Government of Canada inquiries line at 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232) (teletypewriter: 1-800-926-9105).

Initiative Update

Since this program was expanded under the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, there has been a 50 per cent increase in the number of pre-retrofit assessments and more than 140,000 grant applications have been received.

Canadians are responding quickly to this popular program and are creating economic activity for their communities. These grants are helping Canadians make their homes more energy efficient, reduce their energy bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions. As of January 20, 2010, more than 1,800 energy advisors are now employed across the country, an increase of 700 since April 1, 2009.

Canadians are reducing their energy consumption and investing in their local economy. It is estimated that for every $1 invested by the program, homeowners are investing $10 directly in the renovation industry.

More Info:
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/
home-improvement.cfm?attr=0

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