The Canada Greener Homes Grant is a program launched by the Government of Canada that encourages Canadian homeowners to upgrade their homes’ energy efficiency. The program offers grants to eligible homeowners to help cover the cost of retrofits and upgrades that reduce their carbon footprint, save money on their energy bills, and fight climate change.
This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the Canada Greener Homes Grant, including eligibility requirements, rebate amounts, deadlines, qualifying products, and the grant process.
Overview of Canada Greener Homes Grant
The Canada Greener Homes Grant is a $2.6 billion program that will run for seven years, from 2020 to 2028. Natural Resources Canada manages it and provides grants of up to $5,000 to eligible homeowners to cover the cost of energy-efficiency retrofits for their primary residence or suitable mixed-use buildings. In addition, the Canada Greener Homes Loan program also offers interest-free loans of up to $40,000 for homeowners to complete deep home retrofits, which include three or more eligible upgrades that will significantly improve a home’s energy efficiency.
Rebate Amount
The Canada Greener Homes Grant provides rebates of up to $5,000 for eligible energy-efficient upgrades to a homeowner’s primary residence. In addition, for homeowners who want to complete deep home retrofits, the program offers an interest-free loan of up to $40,000. The type and number of upgrades completed determine the grant amount. For example, if a homeowner completes two eligible upgrades, they will receive a rebate of up to $2,000. If they complete five or more eligible upgrades, they will receive a rebate of up to $5,000.
Qualifying Products
To be eligible for the Canada Greener Homes Grant, homeowners must complete an energy evaluation of their homes by a certified energy advisor. The energy advisors of the service organization will provide a pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation, which will identify the home’s energy efficiency and provide recommendations for upgrades that can be made. Once the upgrades are complete, the energy advisor of the service organization will offer a post-retrofit energy evaluation to verify the improvements made to the home’s energy efficiency.
The program offers rebates for eligible retrofits, including insulation, air-sealing, windows and doors, space heating systems, water heaters, and renewable energy efficient systems such as heat pumps and solar panels. To qualify for this grant, all products must meet specific energy efficiency standards, such as being ENERGY STAR certified.
Funding Provided
The Government of Canada funds the Canada Greener Homes Grant as part of its commitment to fighting climate change and creating new jobs in the clean energy sector. The program is expected to create up to 200,000 new jobs nationwide and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 1 million tonnes by 2030.
Eligibility Requirements
Household Eligibility
To be eligible for the Canada Greener Homes Grant, homeowners must meet specific criteria, including:
- Own a primary residence or qualified mixed-use building
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have an energy evaluation completed by a certified energy advisor of the service organization.
Upgrade Eligibility
To be eligible for the grant, homeowners must complete at least one eligible renovation upgrade report to improve their home’s energy efficiency. In addition, homeowners must complete a minimum of two additional upgrades if they wish to receive the maximum rebate of $5,000.
Important Dates
The Canada Greener Homes Grant has a limited budget and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, homeowners are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure they receive funding before the program ends. The program will run until March 31, 2028, or until funding is exhausted, whichever comes first. Homeowners must complete their upgrades and complete their post-retrofit EnerGuide home energy evaluation by March 31, 2028, to be eligible for the grant.
How to Apply
To apply for the Canada Greener Homes Grant, homeowners must follow these steps:
Find a Certified Energy Advisor
Homeowners must find a certified energy advisor and service organization with NRC licenses to perform pre-and post-retrofit energy evaluation. The advisor will assess the home’s energy efficiency and recommend eligible upgrades.
Register for the Program
Homeowners must register for the Canada Greener Homes Grant on the program’s website or by calling the toll-free number. During registration, homeowners will provide their personal information and details about their home.
Complete the Pre-retrofit Evaluation
The certified energy advisor will perform a pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation to determine the home’s energy efficiency and identify eligible upgrades.
Complete Eligible Upgrades
Homeowners must complete at least one eligible upgrade to qualify for the grant. They must also complete a minimum of two additional upgrades if they wish to receive the maximum rebate of $5,000.
Complete the Post-retrofit Evaluation
The certified energy advisor will perform a post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation to verify the improvements made to the home’s energy efficiency.
Submit Application and Documentation
Homeowners must submit their application and all supporting documentation. This includes invoices, receipts, and proof of payment to Natural Resources Canada for processing.
Receive Rebate
Homeowners will receive their rebate within 120 days of submission if the application is approved.
Conclusion
Canadian homeowners can enhance their home’s energy efficiency, lower their energy expenses, and combat climate change through the Canada Greener Homes Grant. The program offers rebates of up to $5,000 for eligible retrofits and interest-free loans of up to $40,000 for deep home retrofits. Homeowners must complete a pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation, complete eligible upgrades, and complete an EnerGuide post-retrofit assessment to qualify for the grant.
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