What is the Canada Greener Homes grant?

The Canada Greener Homes Grant, which was announced in summer 2022 by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), provides financial assistance to homeowners for making energy-efficient upgrades to their homes. The program offers grants of up to $5,000 to help cover the costs of energy-efficient retrofits, such as insulation, windows, heating systems, and more.

Additionally, participants can receive up to $600 to cover the cost of an EnerGuide home energy evaluation both before and after the completion of the retrofit work.

This means you, as a homeowner, can get reimbursed up to $5,000 for qualifying energy-efficient renovations. To get back a portion of your costs for eligible home retrofits, such as Energy Star window installation, you have to have your home evaluated by an EnerGuide energy advisor.

What is EnerGuide Evaluation?

The EnerGuide evaluation is an energy assessment of your home that measures its energy efficiency. 

It provides you with a rating of your home’s energy performance and identifies areas where you can improve its energy efficiency. 

Who performs the evaluation?

The evaluation is conducted by an energy advisor who is registered with Natural Resources Canada and is a representative of the service organization you select when you apply through the Canada Greener Homes portal. 

The pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation provides expert advice on what retrofits make the most sense for your home.

An energy advisor performs the pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation, which measures the energy efficiency of your home. 

The energy advisor is registered with Natural Resources Canada and is a representative of the service organization you select when you apply through the Canada Greener Homes portal.

The pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation provides expert advice on what retrofits make the most sense for your home

When your evaluation is finished and you have your report in hand, you can start your retrofit.

According to the Natural Resources Department, Canada, you can get:

Grants from $125 to $5,000
You get rebates for eligible home retrofits

Up to $600
As a maximum contribution toward the total costs of your pre- and post retrofit EnerGuide evaluations

Canada’s endeavor to reduce emissions

Improving the energy efficiency of Canada’s building sector presents a cost-effective approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and generating savings for households and businesses.

Residential and commercial buildings currently account for 13 percent of Canada’s total emissions.

To address this, the Canada government has taken measures that include:

• Backing home and building retrofit initiatives nationwide, such as the Low Carbon Economy Fund and the Climate Action Incentive Fund.
  
• Enhancing energy efficiency standards in model codes for both new and existing buildings.
• Establishing programs and regulations to promote energy-efficient appliances.
• Providing support to Indigenous communities and governments in their endeavors to enhance energy efficiency in their homes and buildings.

Gradually phasing out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) commonly used in refrigerators, spray foams, and air-conditioning systems.

 

Homes and buildings contribution to carbon emissions in Canada

Greenhouse gas emissions from homes and buildings are a significant contributor to Canada’s overall emissions. 

Currently, homes and buildings account for 13 percent of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

Addressing and reducing these emissions is a key priority, and various measures are being implemented by the government to achieve this goal.

By enhancing the energy efficiency of Canada’s building sector, we can effectively decrease greenhouse gas emissions and generate financial savings for households and businesses.

Eligible retrofits and grant on windows and doors

Several choices are available to enhance the energy efficiency of your windows and doors. One option is to replace both the windows and frames entirely with new, high-performance Energy Star certified windows. This upgrade not only increases the comfort of your home but also saves energy and contributes to the battle against climate change.

You save money by making your home more energy-efficient.

Eligibility criteria for a grant on windows and doors:

• The requirement is that all equipment must be purchased within Canada.
• For online purchases to be considered eligible, they must be made from a distributor located in Canada.
• Your windows or sliding glass doors must be Energy Star certified models. Also, your selection must be on either the NRCan recognition criteria list for residential windows and sliding glass doors.
• Ensure that you retain the Energy Star labels on your windows and doors until the post-retrofit evaluation has been completed.

You can view all Energy Star technical specifications for your windows doors and skylights here.

How to apply for Canada Greener Homes Grant?

If you’re a Canadian homeowner, you can leverage rebates and loans on your retrofits and EnerGuide evaluations, under the Canada Greener Homes Initiative, grants and loans are offered for both EnerGuide evaluations and retrofits.

It is crucial to thoroughly review the eligibility criteria and grant requirements to ensure your qualification for the grant upon completion of the process.

The energy advisor recommended your retrofit choice in the homeowner’s Renovation Upgrade Report in order to improve the energy efficiency of your home. 

To comply with the requirements, you, as a homeowner, need to choose an eligible model by using search options.

Here, you can see the full list of eligible retrofits, search for models and products, using Energy Efficiency Criteria

To verify the eligibility of a particular model, homeowners should request the contractor to include the NRCan Reference number, brand name, and model number in the quote. This information can then be used in the search options below to confirm the eligibility of the quoted model.

To apply for the Canada Greener Homes Grant, you can follow these steps:

Primarily, you must ensure the place you live in qualifies for a grant.

1.  Apply

To apply for the Canada Greener Homes Grant, you must first log in to the Canada Greener Homes portal. You can sign in with your Sign in Partner account, which uses the log-in information you use for your online banking, or sign in using your GCKey.

Once you are logged in, you will need to provide your name, telephone number, email address, type of house, address of your primary residence, proof of ownership (property tax bill number), and proof of residence (government-issued ID with the matching address). You will also need to select a service organization to conduct the EnerGuide evaluation.

2. Pre-retrofit EnerGuide home evaluation

This step is mandatory before you start your retrofits. An energy advisor performs the pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation, which measures the energy efficiency of your home.

The energy advisor is registered with Natural Resources Canada and is a representative of the service organization you select when you apply through the Canada Greener Homes portal.

3. Interest-free loan (optional)

Once you have received your pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation and decided which retrofits you would like to do, you can apply for a loan. You can avail up to $40,000 as interest-free loans that can be paid back within a span of 10 years. The loan will help cover the cost of retrofits that are both eligible and recommended by your energy advisor.

To apply for the loan, you must provide at least one cost estimate for the retrofits. You are not eligible for a loan if you have already started or completed the retrofits. Note that you will receive the loan only after the completed work has been verified through a post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation.

4. Retrofit your home

After the pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation is complete, you will need to review the recommendations and decide which retrofits work best for your budget and renovation plans.

5. Post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation

You must book a post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation and submit the required documents online or by mail. Once the post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation is complete, your new EnerGuide label will show you how much more energy-efficient your home has become.

6. Request and receive your grant

You will receive an email asking you to confirm your total grant amount, which will help you cover part of your retrofits cost. After you confirm, you will receive a cheque for the grant by mail within 30 business days.

How long does it take to receive the grant amount?

Once all steps are completed in the retrofit journey, homeowners should receive their payments within 30 calendar days.

You can request your grant through the online Canada Greener Homes portal. The program officers will then review your file and documents to confirm the total amount of the grant eligible for the retrofits you have completed.

Bottom-line

If you are a homeowner in Canada and are looking to make energy-efficient retrofits to your primary residence, then the Canada Greener Homes Grant program can be a great way to save money on your energy bills, improve comfort, increase property value and help fight climate change.

However, it is important to carefully evaluate the specific requirements, eligibility criteria, and terms of any government program or grant before proceeding with the retrofits. It’s also advisable to consult with professionals or energy auditors who can guide you on the most effective upgrades for your home and help you navigate the application process for rebates and incentives.

Are you ready to revolutionize your home in Winnipeg? Imagine a space that’s not only beautifully designed but also energy-efficient, saving you money while making a positive impact on the environment. 

At Arctic Star Windows, we specialize in delivering top-notch window replacement solutions that will transform your living experience. Connect with us today to get a free quote on Energy Star window installation in Winnipeg, MB.