Yvonne Jeffery
Sun
The federal government’s EcoENERGY Retrofit program went into effect April 1, and has some significant differences from the EnerGuide for Houses Retrofit Incentive that was cancelled last year.
It still requires an independent energy evaluation of your home before and after the renovations — the evaluation is no longer paid for by the program (it will likely run you approximately $300, depending on your home) — but there’s a list of standard grants available for specific renos, which makes it easier to plan your budget.
If you’re installing a certified heat recovery ventilator, for example, you’re eligible for $300; improving your attic insulation could net you $100 to $600. And, for the first time, alternative energy sources such as solar hot water heating, and grey water heat-recovery systems are part of the program.
The government says 17 per cent of all energy used in Canada goes to running our homes. Reducing energy not only helps the environment, but could mean big savings on your energy bills — an average of 35 per cent annually if your home’s more than 25 years old.
Calculating your potential energy savings is where government-approved energy advisers, come in, but Stephen Farrell. owner of Calgary-based VerdaTech Energy Management and Consulting Inc. says the energy evaluation deals with much more than just dollars.
“The evaluation is a two-hour education process, one-on-one with the homeowner, helping them to understand their house as a system,” he says, explaining that when you change one thing in a house — such as draftproofing — it can affect other things, such as ventilation.
Understanding the relationship between the elements that make your house safe, comfortable and energy-efficient, he adds, helps you to choose the most effective energy-reducing measures. “The biggest bang for your buck is always conservation,” Farrell says.
The initial energy evaluation will show you where your house is “leaking” energy, and what you can do to solve the problem.
You’ll receive estimated payback times (based on energy savings potential) for various renovations, how much of an ecoENERGY grant you’d receive, and what kind of products you should be looking at.
In most cases, expensive renovations such as replacing siding or windows aren’t worth doing solely for their potential energy savings.
Farrell notes that if you’re re-siding anyway, it’s a great opportunity to add insulation to the house exterior. Replacing older windows, with energy-efficient new models or draftproofing your house can work wonders, as can adding attic insulation and choosing Energy Star-rated products such as appliances.
If you’re building a new house or embarking on a renovation, it’s worth looking into alternative energy sources such as solar thermal systems for heating water, now eligible for grants.
How the ecoENERGY Retrofit program works
Step 1: Contact NRCan to find an approved, licensed energy adviser to conduct an energy assessment of your home. The service includes a detailed energy evaluation; a “blower door” test to find air leaks; a printed report that shows how your home is using energy and the measures you can take to improve it; and an energy efficiency rating that shows how efficient your home is compared with others in your region.
Step 2: You have 18 months from the assessment to complete your energy-saving renovations, and yes, you can do the work yourself.
Step 3: Have your home re-evaluated to show which of the recommended measures you’ve completed. Your energy adviser will then fill out and submit the paperwork for your grants.
© The Vancouver Sun 2007