Understanding the Canada Greener Homes Grant

Renovating your home to make it more energy efficient can lower utility bills, boost your property value, and help the fight against climate change. The new Canada Greener Homes Grant is an important incentive for homeowners planning small fixes or major retrofits that conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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Read on to learn how you can save money on eco-friendly upgrades for your home through this new government renovation grant program.

Step One: Learn about the available funding

The Canada Greener Homes Grant provides up to $5,000 in refunds for eligible home improvements that make your primary residence more energy efficient, and an additional $600 to use toward expert energy evaluations. For summer 2021, homeowners can also borrow up to $40,000 through an interest-free loan program to complete deep home retrofits.

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Step Two: Determine your eligibility

Select renovations on single and semi-detached homes, row houses and townhomes, cottages, and mobile homes will be eligible for a refund of up to $5,000 through the new government renovation grant. Unfortunately, retrofits on condominiums and new homes (six months old or less) are not eligible for funding at this time.

Step Three: Register for the program

Homeowners must register for the program online through the Greener Homes Grant online portal. One person per household can apply for the reimbursement program and proof of ownership will be required. Note, if you live in Quebec and Nova Scotia, you must apply directly through your provincial program.

Step Four: Book an energy evaluation

Before starting any renovation projects, homeowners will need to complete a pre-retrofit energy consultation with a certified EnerGuide. These experts will evaluate your property and provide recommendations on energy-saving upgrades. From there, you can determine what projects make the most sense for your home and budget.

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Step Five: Complete your upgrades and retrofits

From insulation to renewable energy systems, there are a variety of home renovation ideas that can make your property more environmentally friendly. Here are a few upgrades that are eligible for reimbursement under Canada’s new government renovation grant:

• Increase the insulation in your attic, basement and exterior walls to slow the rate of heat loss.
• Improve your home’s air tightness by sealing leaks and replacing windows and sliding glass doors with high-performance ENERGY STAR® certified windows or inserts.
• Install programmable smart thermostats to improve your comfort, save money on your energy bill, and reduce your carbon footprint.
• Switch to a more environmentally friendly heating and cooling system (such as a heat pump) that can provide year-round comfort at a reduced operating cost.
• Install solar panels on your property to convert sunlight into electricity.

Be sure to document your renovations in detail and save copies of all your receipts and invoices.

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Let YP find a solar energy professional who can provide a quote on installing panels on your property.

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Step Six: Complete a post-retrofit evaluation and claim your refund

Once you’ve finished your home improvement projects, an EnerGuide advisor will conduct a post-retrofit evaluation to determine the effectiveness of your energy-efficiency renovations. You’ll be able to apply for compensation following this final evaluation.

Visit the Canada Greener Homes Grant website to learn more about new funding options that can help you make your home more energy efficient. BONUS: You can also be eligible for financial support and incentives through provincial energy efficiency programs in your region.