On May 27th, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister Seamus O’Regan worked together to release an energy efficient federal home retrofit program in Ottawa called the Canada Greener Homes Grants program. The intention of this grant is to assist homeowners with energy retrofitting their homes – through upgrades such as heaters, solar panels, windows, doors, as well as creating jobs for energy advisors, to grow our green energy sector and ultimately, to combat and mitigate the climate emergency.

Greenhouse gas emissions are emissions which can be emitted both naturally and due to anthropogenic activities. The IPCC report states that the human-cased emissions disrupt and, oftentimes, irreversibly disturb natural processes that occur on land, in the sea, and in the atmosphere. Collectively and globally, approximately 80% of emissions are a direct result of the burning of fossil fuels as well as other processes derivative of industrial sources. These activities include transportation methodologies and sources, production, HVAC, energy production and consumption, unsustainable services, agricultural sectors and much more.

Privatized homes and infrastructure contribute to approximately 18% of Canada’s overall GHG emissions… making homes some of the largest contributors to climate change.

This grant is estimated to assist over 700,000 thousand homeowners through affordable incentives. In order to apply for this grant, homeowners are encouraged to visit the following website:
https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy-efficiency/homes/canada-greener-homes-grant/23441

Once your application is accepted, you can proceed with a licensed contractor and energy advisor who can guide you through the process from start to finish. The contractor would be the one who would lead the retrofit of your home. The homeowners that choose the Canada Greener Homes Grant, apply, and are inspected for their submissions can then be reimbursed for their costs. This 2.6 billion dollar retrofit program was launched in Ottawa and can compensate you for up to $5600.

The Government of Canada also aims to guarantee that this grant not only helps those that are privledged, but also those who live in remote communities and northern areas as well. The new energy advisor positions that will be availably nationally will also place a large importance on diversity, inclusion and equity through providing opportunities to Indigenous peoples, persons of disability, racialized Canadians and women.

All persons are eligible for this grant regardless of where they reside, however, only one homeowner can register per home. Homeowners and residents that live in Nunavut, Yukon, Northwest Territories can find more detailed steps outlines which indicate and incapsulate guidelines on the local perspectives. Once they are approved, each homeowner must provide the following, as listed on the Government of Canada website and the following applicants are also eligible:

1. “provide proof of ownership with their property tax bill number (this number can be found on their municipal property documents); and
2. demonstrate the property is their primary residence through a driver’s license, government-issued ID (with address) or a utility bill.

• Indigenous governments or organizations (e.g., band councils, land claim organizations); and
• housing management bodies and other representative or Indigenous service delivery organizations with formal partnerships with Indigenous governments or organizations.”

For homeowners who complete the energy retrofits for their homes, they have the opportunity to reimburse themselves for the following:

1. $5000 dollars for any implemented retrofits that were developed and completed after December 1st, 2020
2. Additional reimbursement for the costs that adhere to pre and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluations, however, this is conditional upon the continuation for the entirety for the Greener Homes Grant

Consider connecting with Terawatt Solar to assist you with this process. Our licensed consultants and installers can ease you through the process to ensure that you optimize your home ecologically, affordably and easily. We are here to help you with your energy and solar needs. Consider our free solar assessment today, and book an appointment to learn more:

Request a solar assessment