The “Home Efficiency Rebate” program is aimed at helping homeowners in Toronto and other areas of Canada make their homes greener and more energy efficient. To achieve this, the program promises to provide Canadian homeowners with incentives.
According to the government, goal for Canada is to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Well, since setting this deadline, the government has been taking tangible actions to make sure it becomes a reality. The government has embraced energy-efficient changes because they significantly lower monthly energy bills and, at the same time, improve environmental conservation.
The Home Efficiency Rebate will motivate homeowners to make energy-efficient alterations and changes to their homes. In this post, we provide you with a detailed guide so you can know whether you are eligible for this program.
Home Efficiency Rebate: What is It?
It is important to know what this grant is, especially if you are interested in becoming part of it. With that said, this is a comprehensive initiative created to make homes in Canada more energy efficient. That’s not all, as this program also promises to promote endless job growth within the sector of energy advisor. According to the government, the initiative is set to provide 700,000 grants. These grants will pay for a number of home improvements to ensure more energy-efficient homes in Canada.
It is worth noting that the amount of grant money you qualify for will be based on how energy efficient your property currently is. Another thing to have at the back of your mind is that before you are awarded a grant, you will be required to carry out pre and post-retrofit evaluations. These evaluations help determine exactly how much you should receive from the government.
The Home Efficiency Rebate is a stunning incentive for homeowners dreaming of making their places more energy efficient. But, before you apply, it is imperative that you understand how it works and everything else it may entail.
How is the Grant is Distributed?
While the 700,000 grants are divided into two forms of grants, you can obtain both of them, provided you meet certain requirements. There is the primary grant that offers you the opportunity to receive up to $6,500. These grants are for renovations and retrofits that will make your home more energy efficient. There is also another type of grant, which allows you to receive an extra $600. These funds should be used to carry out pre and post-retrofit evaluations.
Aside from identifying any inefficiencies existing in your property, pre-retrofit evaluations will help you clearly know the steps you need to consider to take the energy efficiency in your home to a whole new level. You'll receive an in-depth report outiining about the specific upgrades (in your home’s energy system) you need to handle for optimum energy efficiency.
Once you have taken care of these upgrades, you will move to the next phase; post-retrofit evaluations. Post-retrofit evaluations are as important as pre-retrofit evaluations. They help you know the number of emissions reduced due to the energy-efficient changes you have made to your property. The government relies on post-retrofit evaluations to determine exactly how much you should receive from this initiative.
Who Qualifies for the Grant?
There are a number of considerations the government looks into before giving you a grant. First, you have to be a Canadian homeowner. Second, you should be in a position to provide the government with proof of being a homeowner. You should also provide the government with the tax bill number of your property. Third, the home should be your primary residence. And you can prove this using a government-issued ID or utility bill.
Another thing to have in mind before applying for this grant is that you can only apply for one home retrofit unless you own a multi-unit property for residential. You should also note that you will be exempted from applying for the grant if your property is less than half-a-year old.
What Does the Application Process Entail?
Assuming you qualify for the Home Efficiency Rebate, the first thing you will be needed to do is complete the application process. And, now, we must prepare you; this process consists of several steps. We also advise that you go to the official website of the Home Efficiency Rebate. Here, you will find detailed information on who can qualify and the requirements needed to be eligible for this program.
Once you are done with the application process, the next step is to register before booking the pre-retrofit evaluation. It is important to note that the pre-retrofit evaluation has to take place before real work can commence. Registering and booking are also done on the official website of the Home Efficiency Rebate.
After registering and booking the pre-retrofit evaluation, a professional energy advisor will carry it (the evaluation) out. The energy advisor will provide you with detailed and specific recommendations about what you should improve in your property for optimum energy efficiency. While you can settle on the recommendations you believe best suits your home’s needs, you will have to choose at least a single recommendation provided by the energy advisor. Failure to do this will make you ineligible for the grant.
Once you have completed the retrofits, move to the next step, which is booking the post-retrofit evaluation.
During this process, you will have to provide the government with any documents about the expenses of your retrofit projects. After that, a professional will re-evaluate your property to know how much your home’s energy efficiency has improved due to the retrofit projects carried out in its system. Before you receive the funds owed to you, make sure you visit the official website to confirm the exact amount of the grant money. After that, expect a check via mail to the selected address.
What Home Retrofits and Upgrades Should You Consider?
Given how cold Canada gets during winter, it is a good idea to upgrade your home's heating system. The grant promises to reimburse these upgrades. Another upgrade you should consider, and one that you will be reimbursed is your home's thermostat. A smart thermostat is highly recommended because it allows you to control the temperature of your home remotely. It also ensures that you are able to heat your home's rooms more efficiently every time.
Ideally, if your home lacks a ground-source heat pump and you decide to add it to improve energy efficiency, you will receive grant money of up to $6,500. In case you replace your home’s ground-source heat pump, you will be eligible for $3,000 grant money.
To conclude, these energy-efficient changes will not just reduce your energy bills on a monthly basis but also will offer a nice way to protect and conserve the environment. Needless to say, Home Efficiency Rebate offers sustainability and significant energy savings for residential homes in Toronto, Ontario.