FAQ
INFORMATION AS OF JULY 13, 2011
1. Is the ecoENERGY Retrofit Program back?
Yes it is. An announcement was made on July 13th that the program is back but only until March 31, 2012. CanSpec will start to accept appointment bookings as of Friday July 15th, in the afternoon, once we know complete details about the program. The program provides up to $5,000 in non-taxable grants per homeowner for qualifying renovations.
2. How does the program work?
The steps are listed here.
3. What types of renovations are eligible for grants?
The grants are listed here.
4. What types of properties are eligible for a grant?
The ecoENERGY Retrofit Program offers grants to owners of low-rise residential properties defined as dwellings under Parts 2 and 9 of the National Building Code of Canada. These include single detached and attached homes (e.g. row housing, duplexes and triplexes) and mobile homes on a permanent foundation.
5. Can I get the grants without having an assessment done before and after?
No. The only way to obtain the grants in the brochure is by having an energy assessment before and after renovations. The government set this program up in this manner across Canada. We must visit the home before any renovations begin (pictures and receipts are not sufficient, we must complete a full energy assessment) and come back again for a final assessment to confirm that the work is complete before March 31, 2012. Without exception, you will not receive credit for work done prior to the first energy assessment, even if you have pictures and receipts.
6. What percentage of my renovation costs do I receive in grants?
The grants are not determined by how much you spend on renovations. Every person in Canada receives the same amount of grants per project described in the brochure. No matter how much you spend, or how big or small your house is, you receive the amount stated.
7. When will I receive my grants?
You will receive your grants after our post-retrofit energy assessment is completed (after you have finished your renovations). You should try to complete as much as possible before contacting us for your second assessment. We do not come back after each project is completed, we only come back once and then you receive credit for each project in the form of one cheque from the federal government. It can take between 90-120 days after the final assessment to receive your grants.
8. Do I have to hire a contractor do the work?
No. You can complete the work yourself (except for the earth-energy system installation).
9. Are the grants based on my income?
No. Income has nothing to do with this program. Every homeowner, regardless of income, receives the grants for work completed as long as they have the pre- and post-retrofit energy assessments completed.
10. Can I get grants for my cottage?
Yes, but only if you intend to turn the cottage into a four-season property by the time we return for the second assessment. You do not have to live in the property for four seasons, but it must have the following in order to qualify for the grants: running and potable water, a toilet that is not an outhouse, a permanent heating source other than a woodstove and access to the house during the winter. If this is not a four-season property when we return for the second assessment, you will not receive grants for it.
11. I own a mobile home but not the land it is on. Can I get grants?
Yes. As long as the mobile home is on a permanent foundation (tongue and axel removed), you will receive the grants for the work completed.
12. Does municipal housing also qualify?
The homes held by municipal social housing agencies can also participate in the ecoENERGY Retrofit Program. Agencies with multiple residential buildings that meet the requirements are eligible for up to $1,000,000 over the life of the four-year program ending March 31, 2012.
13. I recently built (or am building) a house. Am I eligible for a grant?
New houses are not the program’s focus, primarily because they are already quite efficient. Houses under construction are not eligible for grants.
If you are building a house, making it an energy-efficient home is a sound investment. Not only will it pay you back in energy savings year after year, it is one of the most environmentally friendly housing choices you can make.
14. Are grants and incentives available for the construction of energy efficient new homes?
There are currently no grants or incentives being offered at the federal level. However, there are several regional grants and incentives available for homebuyers and homebuilders. Please contact your local Home Builders Associations and utilities for information on local programs and incentives.
15. I own an apartment building (box-type, with several units). Can I get the grants?
Yes. For details, please contact our office and speak to Debra.
16. I own a home but I rent it out and don’t live in it. Can I get the grants?
Yes. The homeowner would receive the grants, whether or not he or she lives in the home.
17. I just had a fire/flood in my home. Can I get the grants for re-building my home?
For us to be able to perform an energy assessment in a home, it must be in livable condition, which is as follows: the home must have a heating system in place, windows and doors in place, the building envelope must be intact (must have walls), any renovations currently being conducted must only affect the interior of the house, the house must be on a permanent foundation, there must be electrical power supply and potable water and sewer service. There must be a kitchen space that includes a sink, stove and counter space and at least one enclosed bedroom with a privacy door and window. It is very rare that an energy assessment can be performed on a home damaged by fire or flood.
18. If I run out of time or money, can I get an extension?
No. The program ends March 31, 2012.
19. If I ran out of time during the last program (expired March 31, 2011), can I participate again in this program?
Yes. Call our office for details.
20. I just purchased a home and am not the owner yet but will be moving into the home in the future. Can I have the assessment done now?
Yes, if the current owner will allow it. The grants would be yours once you have the second assessment done, since the property would be in your name. However, the current owner of the property will receive the $150 rebate off the cost of the assessment, not you, because the first assessment will be filed under his or her name. It is best to wait until you own the property to have the assessment done.
21. I just purchased a home and the previous owner’s had a pre-retrofit assessment conducted when they owned it. Will I get the grants?
Yes. You will get credit for the work that you finished, after you have a post-retrofit assessment (must be completed before March 31, 2012).
22. I have vermiculite in my attic. Can I have an energy assessment done?
Yes. We will not disturb the vermiculite, therefore there will be no danger to you.
23. It’s raining/windy/middle of winter. Can I have an energy assessment done?
Yes. We can perform energy assessments any time of year, regardless of weather conditions.
24. I received a grant under the old EnerGuide for Houses Retrofit Incentive. Am I eligible to receive another under the new program?
Yes, but only for additional work performed on your home. You will not be eligible for a grant under the new program for the same upgrades covered by the first grant. However, you may apply to the ecoENERGY Retrofit Program if you have completed further energy efficiency retrofits.
25. Does the ecoENERGY Retrofit Program include new retrofit measures and incentives that were not part of the old EnerGuide for Houses initiative?
Yes, new measures that reduce energy consumption and provide for a cleaner environment have been added. Newly eligible retrofits include the replacement of your cooling equipment with ENERGY STAR® qualified models, the installation of solar hot water heaters, water-saving toilets and grey water heat-recovery systems. These are just a few of the possible upgrades that are covered.
26. I already received a provincial grant not matched by EnerGuide for Houses. Am I eligible to claim an ecoENERGY Retrofit grant?
No, not for the same work. You can apply for additional work.
27. How do I get started? And how will I know which upgrades qualify and how much of a grant I will be entitled to?
Your first step is to consider if you are ready to invest in renovations that will save energy and money. Once you are ready, register with the government in order to enter the program. You can register here. Then, once you have your registration number, contact us to book an appointment for your energy assessment. Although all renovations started prior to obtaining a pre-retrofit energy assessment are not eligible for a grant, the home must be in such a state that the energy advisor can assess the building to make recommendations for improvement.
A grant depends on individual upgrades completed. The Energy Efficiency Evaluation Report provided by your advisor following your pre-retrofit assessment includes a personalized list of upgrades and the grant amounts you can expect to receive should you carry out the recommended home improvements. In addition, the report will indicate the relative impact the upgrades will have on the home’s energy efficiency level.
The average grant for a single property is expected to be over $1,200. The maximum grant available for one home or multi-unit residential building is $5,000. Property owners of multiple residential buildings are eligible for up to $1,000,000 from the ecoENERGY Retrofit Program over the life of the program ending March 31, 2012.
A full list of qualifying renovations can be found here.
28. Do I get an energy rating of my house?
Yes. In addition to the personalized action checklist that is used to calculate the grant, the energy advisor provides the homeowner with an EnerGuide rating and label for the house, before and after renovations. This information is also made available to participating provincial partners that also use the EnerGuide rating system within their programs. Any personal information that owners provide is protected under the federal Privacy Act.
29. How does the grant application process work?
Following the pre-retrofit evaluation and the implementation of the renovations or upgrades by the homeowner, the homeowner must have a post-retrofit evaluation performed on the home. At the time of the post-retrofit evaluation, the energy advisor completes a grant application form on behalf of the homeowner and presents it for his/her review and signature. A copy of the application form is provided to the homeowner. The energy advisor prepares and sends the electronic house file, which includes data on the house collected during the post-retrofit evaluation, to NR Can. NRCan processes the application and, under normal circumstances, the homeowner receives a cheque within 90 days following the date of the post-retrofit evaluation.
30. How much time do homeowners have to complete the work?
You have until March 31, 2012 to complete your renovations AND complete your final post-renovation energy assessment.
31. I already started my renovations, can I still apply for a grant?
Unfortunately, all renovations started prior to obtaining a pre-retrofit energy assessment are not eligible for a grant. All energy-related renovations undertaken thereafter are eligible as long as they are listed here.
32. Is Aboriginal housing eligible under the program?
Yes. First Nation, Band Council and Tribal Council housing is eligible under the program. The maximum grant available for one home or multi-unit residential building is $5,000. Owners of multiple residential buildings are eligible for up to $1,000,000 over the life of the four-year program ending March 31, 2012.
33. Why is a high-rise condominium property excluded from the program?
The reason for excluding larger buildings from the ecoENERGY Retrofit Program is that, because of their construction, these buildings perform very differently than low-rise buildings and the energy assessment protocols must vary accordingly. The main differences in conducting an energy assessment in a high-rise are the size, complexity and type of the heating, hot water and ventilation systems. They also have common areas and services (such as elevators) and construction details (such as depressurization zones for fire control).
34. I live in a town home and have a condominium corporation, am I eligible to participate?
Yes, all low-rise condominium properties that meet the requirements of the eligibility criteria are eligible. Therefore, you and your co-owners can participate in the ecoENERGY Retrofit Program.
35. Is co-op housing eligible?
Co-op housing is a type of ownership and not a building type. If the building meets the eligibility criteria, you and your co-owners are eligible to participate. The grant is paid to the property owner as shown on the tax bill.
36. I am not a Canadian citizen, but I own rental properties in Canada. Can I participate and receive a grant?
Yes, property owners who are not Canadians citizens can participate in the ecoENERGY Retrofit Program. The property must meet the eligibility criteria and the grant cheque must be mailed to a Canadian location. Owners of multiple residential buildings are eligible for up to $500,000 over the life of the program ending March 31, 2012.
37. What are the technical requirements of the program?
Please visit this page for a full list of technical requirements.
38. I own an older mobile home in a trailer park where I rent the land. I have lived in it for several years and I want to know the definition of a fixed foundation to qualify for a grant. It sits on timbers, is skirted and has never been moved.
When the homeowner owns and occupies a mobile home but rents or leases the lot (e.g., mobile home park), the home is eligible for an ecoENERGY Retrofit Program grant, provided it is on a permanent foundation. A mobile home can be considered permanently fixed if it sits on a foundation of concrete, wood or steel (e.g., a mobile home on wood cribbing with a plywood or vinyl apron would qualify though regional requirements may negate use of aprons); it is structurally complete with entire plumbing, heating and electrical services installed and permanently connected to the appropriate electrical utility service, fuel service, sewer or septic service and water delivery system/service; and its towing apparatus and axle have been removed as per regional requirements.
The mobile home owner must supply his or her tax roll number (municipal/provincial or territorial) as required for the ecoENERGY Retrofit Program application process.
39. I own a multi-unit residential building (MURB) (traditional apartment-type building) and would like to get the ecoENERGY Retrofit Program grants. Can you help?
As always, we are able to test semi-detached (row houses, townhouses) homes in all our locations. But now CanSpec is licensed to conduct energy assessments on apartment buildings (no higher than 3 storeys), tri-plexes, 4-plexes and houses converted with apartments inside (MURBs) in all areas we cover. Please call 1-877-672-3242 and speak to Debra about this if you own a MURB.
40. What other services do you offer?
We conduct Infrared Inspections, Draft Proofing and ENERGY STAR testing. We also offer heat load/heat loss calculations to the HVAC industry.