‍Have you been shocked by high natural gas bills recently? Are you frustrated with the increasing price of electricity? Would you like to increase the energy efficiency of your home, saving you money while helping the environment? With the expansion of the Canada Greener Homes Grant (CGHG) program through the new Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) program delivered in partnership with Enbridge, you can accomplish all of these things. If you are an Enbridge costumer you can receive additional grants up to $10,000 towards things like heat pumps, insulation, windows, doors, and solar photovoltaic systems.

What exactly has changed with the expansion of the new program? What has stayed the same? Let’s outline the key differences below.

What’s New

Enbridge gas customers can receive an additional $5000 in grants towards energy efficiency upgrades (above the$5000 already offered through the CGHG program). This includes:

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o  An additional $750 to $1500 (up to $6500) towards the installation of air source heat pumps

o  $300 more towards a hot water heat pump, covering $1300 of the upgrade

o  Up to $1750 more towards insulation upgrades for a limit of $10,000

o  $175 to $300 more for air sealing for a maximum of $1300

o  An increase of $50 to $75 for window and door replacements, up to $325 for each

o  Up to $1000 towards solar photovoltaic battery systems that keep your electricity on in the case of a power outage

o  Up to $75 more towards a smart thermostat for a maximum of $125

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Enbridge gas customers who are landlords are now eligible for many of the grants. The application now begins by simply contacting a Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) Registered Energy Advisor to complete the pre-upgrade EnerGuide evaluation rather than applying on the NRCan website. This program will run until 2027.

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What Has Stayed The Same

o  You can apply for the Canada Greener Homes Loan on the government's NRCan website

o  Homes must be at least 6 months old in order to qualify for the program

o  A pre-retrofit energy assessment must be completed before retrofits begin

o  $600 is available for the pre - and post-retrofit energy audits

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Steps to Receive HER+ Grants and the Canada Greener Homes Loan

1. Pre-Upgrade Energy Evaluation

Contact a service organization to complete the pre-retrofit energy audit. A licensed Energy Advisor who is registered with Natural Resources Canada will visit your home and assess both the outside and inside of your home. This assessment includes the following:

·       examination of all windows, doors, ceilings, and walls

·       measurement of insulation levels

·       evaluation of heating and air conditioning systems

·       assessment of your water heater

·       blower door test to determine where air is leaking out of your home

All this data will be used to provide retrofit recommendations that will have the most impact on your home’s energy efficiency. The grant provides up to $600 to cover the cost of the energy audit. These evaluations can take up to 3 hours.

Prepare Your Home

To prepare your home for this evaluation, follow these steps:

·       make sure the advisor can access your attic, crawl spaces, and mechanical equipment such as your water heater and furnace

·       ensure all windows and doors are closed so the blower door test will be as accurate as possible

·       if you have any wood-burning appliances such as a wood stove, clear the ash from them so they don’t make a mess of your home during the blower door test

·       don’t use your wood stove, shower, dishwasher, or laundry machine during the energy audit as they can interfere with measurements

2. Your Energy Report

After the energy audit is complete, you’ll be given an EnerGuide rating and label. A lower score means your home uses less energy, which is what you want. A reference point is provided which corresponds to amount of energy your house would use if it was newly built to the current energy efficiency standards. You’ll also be given a renovation upgrade report that includes a list of recommended upgrades and retrofits along with their expected energy savings. You’ll need to choose from these recommended upgrades to receive the grants.

3. Plan Your Energy Efficient Upgrades

There are many possible energy efficiency upgrades you can make to your home under the new HER+ program with various grant amounts. All equipment used in the retrofits must be purchased in Canada. Get quotes from contractors for each retrofit. It is recommended to get multiple quotes to ensure you are getting the best deal.

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4. Apply for the Canada Greener Homes Loan (optional)

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You can submit an application to receive up to $40,000 in interest-free loans for your upgrades using your Canada Greener Homes Grant account. Compared to a line of credit at 5%, this could save you $20,000, over a 10-year loan! You will need to submit:

·       quote(s) for each upgrade

·       your property tax statement

·       government issued photo ID

·       confirmation of income and employment (a T4 for example)

·       a utility bill

Make sure you’ve planned which retrofits you’d like to be covered by the loan and confirmed the quotes are accurate, as importantly, you cannot go back and ’t request a bigger loan later. This takes some forward planning!

5.  Complete Your Retrofits

After the pre-retrofit audit and application for the loan (if applicable) you can start getting the work done! Make sure to keep receipts and invoices. If you’ve applied for the loan and require money for upfront costs, you can receive up to15% of cost of that retrofit for a deposit.

6. Post-Upgrade Energy Evaluation

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After completing your chosen upgrades, you’ll also have to book a post-retrofit evaluation that measures the improvement in your home’s energy efficiency due to the changes you’ve made. Your Energy Advisor will submit the information to NRCan. You’ll be given an updated EnerGuide rating and label.

7. Get That Money!

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Now finally you can apply to get that cold hard cash! There are a few things you’ll need to upload or mail to Natural Resources Canada:

·       receipts of your pre- and post-upgrade EnerGuide evaluations

·       receipts of equipment purchases

·        invoices for installation

·       if you choose to install a heat pump or solar, you’ll have to include an attestation confirming it was installed by a licensed professional in accordance with the relevant standards. You can find links to these forms here.

·       grid-tied solar requires a letter of approval from the local electrical or building authority

·       off-grid solar must have proof it complies with local building and electrical codes

You’ll have to hang on to these documents until March 31^st, 2028. Sit back and enjoy your more energy efficient home along with all the money you’ll save from your lower utility costs!

Solr Solvr can help you make the most of the HER+ and Canada Greener Homes Loan. We are here to guide you on what retrofits will have the biggest impact on your home’s energy efficiency and save you the most money. Pairing upgrades like a heat pump or EV charger with solar can save you even more! You can get up to three free no obligation quotes from verified installers here.

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FAQ

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If I’ve already applied to the Canada Greener Homes Grant Program or the original HER program, do I need to start a new application?

No, you can continue with the program you originally applied for if you wish. There is a cut-off date of May 1^st, 2023 for the original HER program, but no deadline for CGHG.

If I’ve already applied to the Canada Greener Homes Grant Program, can I still receive the additional $5000 grant from HER+?

Yes, if you’ve started CGHG but haven’t yet completed post-retrofit audit, may be eligible for the additional rebate. Talk to your Energy Advisor to see what you qualify for.

How do I know what rebates I qualify for?

If you area Canadian who lives in a home you own, you qualify for the CGHG portion of the grants. If you are an Enbridge customer, you qualify for the additional funding. Your Energy Advisor can guide you through which upgrades and grants are best for you.

Why is Enbridge, a pipeline and natural gas company, partnering with NRCan to deliver this program? 

Enbridge has been offering more and more energy conservation and sustainability programs recently. They have pledged to help Canada meet net-zero carbon emissions by2050. They are developing renewable natural gas and hydrogen fuel technologies to help fight climate change. These programs are part of Enbridge’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals, which many companies are adopting to remain competitive into the future.

If I own property that I do not live in, do I qualify for grants?

If that property is serviced by Enbridge gas, you will qualify for that portion of the HER+ grants.

Are batteries eligible for HER+?

Yes, youcan receive up to $1,000 towards batteries connected to a solar photovoltaic system.

If I get a solar photovoltaic system with batteries, how many will I qualify for? 

Installation of a solar photovoltaic system with battery backup qualifies for up to $5000 in grants total. Up to $1000 of this can be for the battery system, and $1000 per kilowatt (kW) is offered for solar photovoltaic systems.

How long will it take for me to get receive the grants?

After your post-retrofit audit, your Energy Advisor will submit your information. It can take around 12 to 16 weeks from this time for you to be mailed a cheque.

How much does an energy audit cost?

An audit costs anywhere from $450 to $700, for pre and post visits. This depends on the complexity, size, and type of home. It is wise to shop around for the best service provider.

How long does an energy audit take?

An audit takes anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on the size and complexity of your home.

When is the best time to get my energy evaluation done?

The audit generally serves as a planning guide for any renovations you may be pursuing and the pre-retrofit energy evaluation must be completed before renovations begin to qualify for the grants. It is best to perform the audit early to learn more about your home and where best to spend your hard-earned money on upgrades. Each audit report will lay out the recommended upgrades in order of impact based on the information received by your Energy Advisor.

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