Residential Energy-Efficiency Retrofit Incentives Expanded

June 24, 2005

The changes also include incentives for installing high-efficiency gas or oil-fired central heating systems.

In the case of assisted housing, the amendments will allow the property owner's share of costs for the EnerGuide for Houses (EGH) service to be reimbursed. This reimbursement would be limited to $100 per dwelling and $50,000 per housing authority or assisted-housing operator.

To be eligible, the assisted-housing operator or housing authority must guarantee that at least 50% of the dwelling receiving an EGH evaluation will actually be retrofitted within 18 months. The amendments will also allow for a direct grant of up to $100 to all applicants who purchase and install Energy Star-qualified high-efficiency furnaces and boilers, including oil-fired furnaces that have an annual fuel-utilization efficiency of at least 85%.

According to Natural Resources Canada, this grant should help stimulate the market for energy-efficient products and encourage property owners to complete the maximum number of recommendations contained in their EGH evaluation report.

The total grant amount payable to eligible recipients over the life of the EGH program has been increased to $100,000. The government of Canada introduced the original EGH in the fall of 2003.

To date, 23,000 grants totaling $15 million have been paid to Canadian homeowners.

"Property owners, as well as homeowners, will now be able to get more for their renovation dollar," said Efford. "The changes to the program will give landlords and owners of assisted-housing property the opportunity to make their buildings more comfortable, save money on their monthly energy bills, and take action on climate change that will make a difference tomorrow."

Source: Natural Resources Canada.