Natural Resources Canada provides a grant tohomeowners who undertake renovations thatimprove the energy efficiency rating of theirhomes.

Before undertaking any renovations, homeown-ers must first have an EnerGuide for Houses sub-sidized evaluation (see posting on TorontoMLSfor link to info) undertaken by a licensed serviceorganization. The evaluation report will providean EnerGuide for Houses energy efficiency ratingand customized recommendations for renova-tions, which may range from simple measureslike caulking and weatherstripping around win-dows and doors, to installing a new high-efficien-cy heating system or adding insulation in thebasement or attic. Once the homeowner hascompleted the renovations, a second evaluationmust be undertaken within 18 months of the firstone to determine the change in the home'sEnerGuide for Houses rating.

The grant is available for homes that:

• are low-rise, detached, semi-detached or rowhouses no more than three and a half storieshigh and have a footprint of no more than 600square metres; or mobile homes on a permanentfoundation

• must be capable of receiving an EnerGuide forHouses rating

• must not be a vacation property or a cottage.

The amount of the grant is $750 on average,but depends on the amount by which thehome's energy rating improves as a result ofthe renovations. The rating must improve by aminimum amount for the homeowner to quali-fy for a grant. In addition, homeowners whoinstall furnaces and boilers that are ENERGYSTAR® qualified (or, in the case of oil-fired

furnaces, have an annual fuel utilization effi-ciency rating of at least 85 percent) qualify foran additional $100. This additional incentivewill be available until March 31, 2006.

Additional rebates or incentives are available tosupplement the grant

• In Ontario, Enbridge Gas Distribution providesa $50 rebate to its customers who complete thesecond evaluation (see posting on TorontoMLSfor link to info).

• The federal government has also announcedthe EnerGuide for Low-Income Householdsprogram due to start in January 2006, throughwhich low-income households will be able tobenefit from $1,000 to $5,000 of assistance perhousehold for energy-saving renovations (seeposting on TorontoMLS for link to info).

For more information

Website:(http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/home-improvement/grant/grants.cfm)

Phone number for ordering free publications:613-995-2943, or 800-387-2000 outside theNational Capital Region.

Website explaining ENERGY STAR guidelines:(http://www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/energystar/english/consumers/)

How to obtain this incentive

Following the second evaluation, the licensedEnerGuide for Houses service organizationmakes the application for the grant on behalf ofthe homeowner. A list of service organizations isprovided here (http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/home-improvement/service/contact-advisors.cfm)

Natural ResourcesCanada providesa grant tohomeowners whoundertakerenovations thatimprove theenergy efficiencyrating of theirhomes.

EnerGuide for Houses Retrofit Grant

1400 Don Mills Road, Toronto, Ontario • M3B 3N1 • Tel: (416) 443-8100 • Fax: (416) 443-8129

Government Programs and Regulations

03/06

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