You may have recently heard about the Canada Greener Homes Grant which is being offered through Natural Resources Canada. Launched in late May, this initiative aims to help Canadian homeowners make their homes more energy-efficient. By improving the energy efficiency of our homes, we can help to reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. Below you’ll find an overview of what the Canada Greener Homes Grant is all about.
How does it work?
A total of 700,000 grants are available to help cover the cost of energy-efficient home improvements, with each grant having a value of up to $5,600. In order to participate in the program, a homeowner must first apply. Then, they are required to complete all three stages of the process which includes a preliminary evaluation, having at least one recommended improvement made, and a final evaluation.
The evaluations, referred to as EnerGuide evaluations, are completed by an Energy Advisor and occur before and after any improvements/retrofits are made. Homeowners are eligible to have up to $600 of their evaluation costs reimbursed. During the preliminary EnerGuide evaluation, homeowners receive personalized, expert advice on various improvements they can make to help increase their home’s energy efficiency. During the final EnerGuide evaluation, the improvements are assessed.
It’s a requirement to keep all documentation for a specified period of time and that all products pertaining to the improvements are purchased in Canada. It’s also important to consider that you must continue with the full Greener Home Grant process in order to be reimbursed for the initial elevation.
What kind of improvements can I make?
There are a number of energy-efficient improvements that are eligible for reimbursement, up to a total amount of $5,000, under the Canada Greener Homes Grant. Improvement categories include home insulation, air-sealing, windows and doors, thermostats, space and water heating, resilience measures, and renewable energy in the form of solar panel installation.
It’s very important to keep in mind that there are individual expense coverage limits for each improvement category (ranging from $50 to $5,000) and that not all recommended improvements made by your Energy Advisor are necessarily eligible. Each improvement category also has very specific eligibility for reimbursement so it’s best to read the fine print to avoid any surprises. For example, replacing only the glass in an existing window or door to improve its energy efficiency is not eligible. Other items, such as the installation of a smart thermostat, need to be combined with another retrofit to be eligible and there are some noted specifications around which ones.
Can anyone participate?
Regardless of where you live, most homeowners in Canada are eligible to participate. As long as the home is your primary residence, you can own a detached home, row home, town home, all-season cottage, or mobile home with a permanent foundation to qualify. Some small residential buildings meeting certain criteria are eligible as well. You’ll just need to be able to show proof of ownership and proper documentation indicating the home is your primary residence. It’s important to note though that new homes that have been built within the last 6 months are unfortunately not eligible. Those who have moved into an older home are eligible but will need to complete a new EnerGuide evaluation, even if one had been previously done, to be a part of the initiative. There are also some additional incentives and programs available for homeowners living in northern and off-grid communities.
If you’ve been interested in learning more about your home's energy efficiency or have been considering making some improvements, it would be beneficial to explore this initiative further to gain some expert advice and potentially offset some of your expenses. Here you’ll find additional details regarding the program, a comprehensive list of specific retrofit eligibility and contact numbers to learn more.
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