Yes please, may I have more?   The Federal Government is providing grants up to $5000 and the Provincial Governement is matching the amount -  Isn't that cool?!?!?    All for simply saving energy which in fact is actually saving money so we're being given up to $10,000 for saving money -  again, how cool is that?!

I hope that you remember my excitement with being a part of the National Association of Green Agents and Brokers awhile ago?  Well as part and parcel of this new focus of mine, I had a Reporter pay a call to me this week wanting to write his feature on little old me .   Now, I never want to give anyone the wrong idea about me so I was quick to set the tone of the interview letting the reporter know that I wasn't a 'tree hugger'  etc  but that my mission is to save home owners money by helping to educate them about saving energy or being energy efficient.  

Helping  Buyers (and Sellers)  understand that there are now two price tags on a home;  one, the asking or selling price and  two, the operating price.   ie.  If there ar two very similar homes priced at $300K, the home that is more economical to operate will be the one that should sell first.

Now, back to the $10,000 I mentioned above. . .  In Canada there is a program called the ecoENERGY Retrofit  and this is how it works:

What  is ecoENERGY Retrofit? 

ecoENERGY Retrofit is a residential energy assessment  initiative developed by Natural Resources Canada to help property owners make retrofit choices that improve the comfort and energy efficiency of their home.  Using sophisticated tools and software, an ecoENERGY evaluation determines the energy performance of a house and points out sources of heat loss and energy wastage.  The program encourages home retrofits to reduce energy use by offering homeowners grants based on verifiable measures taken to improve the performance and energy efficiency of the home.  Most energy efficient homes ensure Canadians enjoy  higher levels of comfort at a lower cost.

An ecoENERGY residential energy efficiency evaluation provides an objective review of the energy use in your home and determines a rating for the house based on scientific assessment.  It provides you with independent advice on  how your home uses energy and where it is being wasted.  

The evaluation includes the following:

• A detailed energy evaluation of your home performed by a Certified Energy Advisor.
• A blower door test to find air leaks
• A report that explains where your energy dollars are being spent and where you can improve upon same
• An energy efficiency rating label that shows how your home compares with others in your region

What is the amount of the grant that you can expect to receive?   

The amount of the grant will depend on the improvements that you make in your home from the list of qualifying measures recommended by your Certified Advisor.  To be eligible  you will need to invest a minimum of $300 in retrofits.  The more you do to reduce your home's  energy consumption, the more you can expect to get back in the form of a retrofit grant.  The Province of Ontario is providing matching funds for the ecoENERGY program.    The maximum is $10,000 with the average grant being in the $2000 range.

There are 3 steps to the ecoENERGY retrofit grant: 

1. Get an ecoENERGY evaluation: Schedule an evaluation
2. Get the work done: Make some or all of the recommended energy efficiency retrofits. Your advisor's report will help you plan your retrofits and tell you which projects are top priority.
3. Reap the rewards: When you are done, arrange for another visit. Your Certified Energy Advisor will test the performance of your home, check for the recommended upgrades that you have made, and give you a new rating. The advisor will submit an application on your behalf for a cash grant based on the upgrades. The more savings measures you implement, higher the grant for which you will be eligible. You will receive a cheque in the mail directly from the federal government.

There is a cost to the homeowner for the service. The cost of evaluation can be recovered in most instances through the retrofit grant.  The initial visit is $200 + GST: ($350 + GST, minus $150 provincial rebate mailed directly to the homeowner - this is automated, you do not have to apply.)  There is an additional cost for homes over 2500 sq ft ($25 for every additional 500 sq ft).  The post-retrofit visit to verify the improvements and quantify the grant amount is $150 + GST.  (This is a mandatory follow-up and without it, no grant moneys will be provided)

For anyone in the local area of Kingston/Gananoque/Brockville, I am pleased to offer you a FREE online Energy Conservation Kit  -  Click Here    Below you will find two links that you should find interesting.

www.HomeEnergyEfficiency.ca

COMBINED FEDERAL/PROVINCIAL GRANT TABLE

A SAMPLE REPORT