Increase the comfort of your home. Reduce your energy consumption and receive a rebate from the government. An NRGwise Energy Advisor can help you make the most of the latest federal incentive. Find out how

This new retrofit program couples with the existing Enbridge program to double your benefits. Take the first step with an energy assessment before you start to renovate. Being wise about energy makes sense – and dollars and cents.

New program details

The federal government announced the Green Homes Program in late May 2021. It offers up to $5,000 to homeowners to purchase and install energy upgrades. Rebates can apply to windows, doors, insulation, heating and solar panels for the next seven years.

Paul Gagliardi, founder of NRGwise, says they have received hundreds of calls about insulation, window and doors, and solar energy. The latter is growing in popularity. He says solar photovoltaic systems that convert sunlight to electricity have immediate benefits in energy savings, and long-term can free homeowners from electrical bills. “The big reason is in greenhouse gas emissions – it makes a difference.

Benefits to homeowners

“This program puts money in people’s pockets upfront and year after year in savings,” says Gagliardi. It provides rebates for improving the comfort of your home as well as help recover costs.

As well as up to $5,600 in grants for making energy efficient retrofits, homeowners can receive up to $600 towards the cost of home energy evaluations. A home energy audit is required to determine which energy-saving measures would qualify for reimbursement.

Enbridge Gas also offers up to $5,600 in rebates for air-sealing, high-efficiency furnaces, windows, doors, water heaters and boilers.

How to qualify

1. Register online at https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy-efficiency/homes/canada-greener-homes-grant/23441. The site describes eligibility, information and documents required.
2. Book your retrofit evaluation.
3. Plan, document and complete your retrofits.
4. Book your post-retrofit evaluation and apply for reimbursement.
5. Receive your rebate.

NRGwise trains energy advisors throughout Canada and can also provide evaluations across Ontario. Their advisors will take one-two hours assessing your home’s energy efficiency, then provide a report on improvements and which ones qualify for the rebate. They can also recommend contractors. Once the retrofit is finished, they return to provide the second evaluation for you to submit to the Green Homes Program.