1. Government Programs and Regulations
EnerGuide for Houses Retrofit Grant
Natural Resources Canada provides a grant to furnaces, have an annual fuel utilization effi- Natural Resources
homeowners who undertake renovations that ciency rating of at least 85 percent) qualify for
improve the energy efficiency rating of their an additional $100. This additional incentive Canada provides
homes. will be available until March 31, 2006. a grant to
Before undertaking any renovations, homeown- Additional rebates or incentives are available to homeowners who
ers must first have an EnerGuide for Houses sub- supplement the grant
sidized evaluation (see posting on TorontoMLS undertake
for link to info) undertaken by a licensed service • In Ontario, Enbridge Gas Distribution provides
organization. The evaluation report will provide a $50 rebate to its customers who complete the renovations that
second evaluation (see posting on TorontoMLS
an EnerGuide for Houses energy efficiency rating
for link to info).
improve the
and customized recommendations for renova-
tions, which may range from simple measures • The federal government has also announced
energy efficiency
like caulking and weatherstripping around win-
dows and doors, to installing a new high-efficien-
the EnerGuide for Low-Income Households rating of their
program due to start in January 2006, through
cy heating system or adding insulation in the which low-income households will be able to homes.
basement or attic. Once the homeowner has benefit from $1,000 to $5,000 of assistance per
completed the renovations, a second evaluation household for energy-saving renovations (see
must be undertaken within 18 months of the first posting on TorontoMLS for link to info).
one to determine the change in the home's
EnerGuide for Houses rating. For more information
The grant is available for homes that: Website:
(http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/
• are low-rise, detached, semi-detached or row home-improvement/grant/grants.cfm)
houses no more than three and a half stories
high and have a footprint of no more than 600 Phone number for ordering free publications:
square metres; or mobile homes on a permanent 613-995-2943, or 800-387-2000 outside the
foundation National Capital Region.
• must be capable of receiving an EnerGuide for Website explaining ENERGY STAR guidelines:
Houses rating (http://www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/energystar/
english/consumers/)
• must not be a vacation property or a cottage.
How to obtain this incentive
The amount of the grant is $750 on average,
but depends on the amount by which the Following the second evaluation, the licensed
home's energy rating improves as a result of EnerGuide for Houses service organization
the renovations. The rating must improve by a makes the application for the grant on behalf of
minimum amount for the homeowner to quali- the homeowner. A list of service organizations is
fy for a grant. In addition, homeowners who provided here (http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/
install furnaces and boilers that are ENERGY residential/personal/home-improvement/
STAR® qualified (or, in the case of oil-fired service/contact-advisors.cfm)
Make the Right Move. Consult a
Toronto Real Estate Board REALTOR.
1400 Don Mills Road, Toronto, Ontario • M3B 3N1 • Tel: (416) 443-8100 • Fax: (416) 443-8129 www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com
03/06