What is ecoENERGY Retrofit?
Did you know...
The Province of Ontario is matching the federal grants?
You can receive a total of up to $10,000 in combined grants. Click here to download a PDF of the combined grant table that includes the total amount you would recieve from both levels of government.
ecoENERGY Retrofit is a residential energy assessment initiative developed by Natural Resources Canada to help property owners make retrofit choices that improve the comfort and energy efficiency of their home.
Using sophisticated tools and software an ecoENERGY evaluation determines the energy performance of a house and points out sources of heat loss and energy wastage.
The program encourages home retrofits to reduce energy use by offering homeowners grants based on verifiable measures taken to improve the performance and energy efficiency of the home.
More energy efficient homes ensure Canadians enjoy higher levels of comfort at lower costs.
An ecoENERGY residential energy efficiency evaluation provides an objective review of the energy use in your home and determines a rating for the house based on scientific assessment. It provides you with independent advice on how your home uses energy and where it is being wasted. Our Advisors will show you how to improve the comfort of your home, cut heating and cooling costs, and ensure you have adequate, healthy ventilation.
The evaluation includes the following:
- A detailed energy evaluation of your home performed by a Certified Energy Advisor.
- A blower door test to find air leaks.
- A report that explains where your energy dollars are being spent and what you can do to improve your home's energy efficiency.
- An energy efficiency rating label that shows you how your home compares with others in your region.
What is the ecoENERGY Retrofit Grant?
The benefits of an ecoENERGY evaluation — to the homeowner and to the environment — accrue only when some or all of the recommended energy efficiency retrofits are completed. The retrofit grant encourages homeowners to undertake deeper retrofits for higher energy savings by rewarding property owners based on the recommended measures they adopt.
What is the amount of the grant I can expect to receive?
The amount of your grant will depend on the improvements you make in your home from among the list of qualifying measures recommended by your Certified Advisor. To be eligible, you will need to invest a minimum of $300 in retrofits. The more you do to reduce your home's energy consumption, the more you can expect to get back in the form of a retrofit grant. The province of Ontario is providing matching funds for the ecoENERGY program, download the PDF to see the combined grant amounts available. Maximun is $10,000, average grant amount is in the $2,000 range.
How do I apply for a retrofit grant?
To receive your ecoENERGY Retrofit grant, follow these three steps:
- Get an ecoENERGY evaluation: Schedule an evaluation. Book on-line or contact us on-line or by phone.
- Get the work done: Make some or all of the recommended energy efficiency retrofits. Your advisor's report will help you plan your retrofits and tell you which projects are top priority.
- Reap the rewards: When you are done, call us back for another visit. Our Certified Energy Advisor will test the performance of your home, check for the recommended upgrades that you have made, and give you a new rating. The advisor will submit an application on your behalf for a cash grant based on the upgrades. The more savings measures you implement, higher the grant for which you will be eligible. You will receive a cheque in the mail directly from the federal government.
What are the eligibility criteria for a retrofit grant?
Bungalows, detached, semi-detached and row houses, and mobile homes on fixed foundations, owned or rented, are currently eligible for the grant. Apartments and most condominiums are not eligible at this time.
How ecoENERGY Retrofit can help you
A residential energy efficiency assessment under ecoENERGY measures the performance of your home and helps you make informed decisions on what improvements you can make to enhance you comfort level, reduce energy bills, and help the environment. You will also receive a grant from the federal government based on the recommendations that you adopt.
Enhanced home comfort
Your home can be warm, cozy, and draft-free. The air will be cleaner and the humidity level just right. An ecoENERGY assessment can help you solve the problems that are preventing you from fully enjoying your home.
ecoENERGY Retrofit Grant
You can apply for the ecoENERGY Retrofit Grant after you have completed the pre- and post-retrofit evaluations. You may be eligible to receive up to $10,000 (average $2,000) from the federal and provincial governments.
Savings on energy bills
Making recommended retrofits in your home following an ecoENERGY evaluation can cut your heating and cooling bills by an average of 35%.
Increased property value
Energy-efficient homes sell for an average of $8,000 more than unimproved homes.
Cleaner environment
When you save energy you reduce pollution from burning fuels (greenhouse gases) that contribute to smog and global climate change. Running your home more efficiently conserves valuable natural resources.
What is the cost?
There is a cost to the homeowner for the service. The cost of evaluation can be recovered in most instances through the retrofit grant. The average grant is $2,000.
The initial visit is $200 + GST: $350 + GST paid to Hearthmakers, minus $150 provincial rebate mailed directly to the homeowner — this is automated, you do not have to apply.
There is an additional cost for homes over 2500 sq ft ($25 for every additional 500 sq ft).
The post-retrofit visit to verify the improvements and quantify the grant amount is $150 + GST.
Payment: At this time we DO NOT accept credit cards. Personal cheques are preferred method of payment.
Travel fees: There are no travel fees for homes within 75 km round-trip from downtown Kingston. Beyond that it is $0.50 per km.
What region do you cover?
We perform ecoENERGY evaluations from Trenton to Brockville, and north to Highway 7.
Why Hearthmakers?
Hearthmakers Energy Co-operative is a not-for-profit organization based in Kingston, and has performed over 2000 residential energy evaluations under the previous federal program, EnerGuide for Houses. We have the most experienced advisors in the region, and are a full member of