WHAT IS CANADA GREENER HOMES GRANT ABOUT?

Canada Greener Homes has a grant offer for Canadians who have planned about having an energy-saving home upgrade. It is a great opportunity for homeowners in Canada to install solar panels, upgrade heaters, and also replace doors and windows at a more affordable price. This interest-free rebate program aims at reducing the carbon footprint of private homes and buildings, as they are one of the largest sources of Carbon emission in Canada. The loan program also gives Canada Greener Homes access to more homeowners due for a deep home retrofit.

HOW TO QUALIFY FOR THE GREENER HOMES GRANT?

Proof of Ownership

• You need to provide proof of ownership with your property tax number.
• The home you are performing upgrades on also must be your primary residence.
• New homes are not eligible for the grant program.

Complete a Pre- and Post-Retrofit EnerGuide Evaluation

• You must register for a pre-retrofit evaluation through the Government of Canada website. This evaluation is important to determine recommended upgrades for your home based on its current energy efficiency rating. You are then required to complete at least one of the recommended improvements to remain eligible for reimbursement.
• Once the work is completed, you will need to book the post-retrofit inspection which will determine how much your home’s energy efficiency improved with the upgrades that were performed.

Maintain Records of Project

• You must keep copies of all documents – including your energy reports and receipts – until March 31, 2028.

WHAT YOU CLAIM: STEP-BY-STEP EXPLANATION

Step 1: Online registration

You will be asked to provide the following details if you want to get registered for this rebate program:

• Name
• Phone number
• Email
• Type of house
• Address
• Proof of ownership with their property tax bill number through municipal property documents
• Proof of residence through either driver’s license or utility bill

Step 2: Booking pre-retrofit house energy evaluation

After registration, your postal code will be used to locate service organizations around you, where a certified advisor will be contacted and booked for the pre-retrofit evaluation. The expert makes recommendations for suitable retrofits upgrade and will qualify you for reimbursement. Rating, ENERGY STAR labels, and reports are also made by the certified advisor after evaluation.

Step 3: Hiring a contractor to complete the job

Your contractor understands the building codes and bylaws. Their responsibility is to comply with these codes and laws. Ensure that the contractor has the license to install equipment and get the necessary permits before hiring.

Step 4: Booking of post-retrofit Energuide evaluation

Results for the energy saved and the reduction of greenhouse gas emission influenced by the installation of the retrofits are provided after the post-retrofit evaluation. The reimbursement amount you qualify for is also recommended here.

Step 5: Receiving reports for final inspection

Homeowners will log in to receive the reports of all retrofits. The results are then cross-checked and evaluated once more by a certified advisor. Your reports explicitly explain the impact that the recommended retrofit has on your home. To continue on your retrofit journey, you’ll receive the following;

• An EnerGuide rating and label
• A Homeowner Information Sheet
• A Renovation Upgrade Report

Step 6: Uploading all documents online

For adequate reimbursement, energy auditors will upload pre- & post-retrofit pictures as proof of completion, while homeowners will submit;

• Pre-& post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation receipts
• All invoices and receipts of purchased products and cost of installation
• An attestation form may also be needed, depending on the recommended retrofit. The form serves as a confirmation that;
• All electrical and mechanical system installation were carried out by a licensed professional
• All geothermal installations meet CSA standards
• The heat pump is the right size for your home

Step 7: Retrieving reimbursement information

Finally, the program officers do a review of all uploaded documents and the recommended grant amount. Once the review is complete, you will do a confirmatory check on the portal and then proceed to receiving your reimbursement.

IMPORTANT DETAILS ABOUT THE PROGRAM

You must complete the entire grant process to receive reimbursement, so it is important that you follow the eligibility criteria listed above carefully.
For window and door replacement there are additional requirements that must be met, as well:

• All products must be purchased in Canada.
• Equipment must be selected from the pre-approved list of windows and doors.
• ENERGY STAR labels must remain on windows and doors until the process is complete.
• Must replace full window unit, not just glass.

The Greener Homes Grant allows for Canadians to receive up to $5600 in reimbursement for eligible retrofits. The EnerGuide evaluations make up $600 of that total, with the remaining funds allocated to the actual implementation of upgrades. When replacing windows and doors, homeowners can receive up to $250 per rough opening up to cap of $5000. The final reimbursement amount will depend on the type of replacement windows or doors that are chosen.