Natural Resources Canada provides a grant to homeowners who undertake renovations that improve the energy efficiency rating of their homes.

Before undertaking any renovations, homeowners must first have an EnerGuide for Houses subsidized evaluation undertaken by a licensed service organization. The evaluation report will provide an EnerGuide for Houses energy efficiency rating and customized recommendations for renovations, which may range from simple measures like caulking and weatherstripping around windows and doors, to installing a new high-efficiency heating system or adding insulation in the basement or attic. Once the homeowner has completed the renovations, a second evaluation must be undertaken within 18 months of the first one to determine the change in the home's EnerGuide for Houses rating.

The grant is available for homes that:

• are low-rise, detached, semi-detached or row houses no more than three and a half stories high and have a footprint of no more than 600 square metres; or mobile homes on a permanent foundation
• must be capable of receiving an EnerGuide for Houses rating
• must not be a vacation property or a cottage.

The amount of the grant is $750 on average, but depends on the amount by which the home's energy rating improves as a result of the renovations. The rating must improve by a minimum amount for the homeowner to qualify for a grant. In addition, homeowners who install furnaces and boilers that are ENERGY STAR® qualified (or, in the case of oil-fired furnaces, have an annual fuel utilization efficiency rating of at least 85 percent) qualify for an additional $100. This additional incentive will be available until March 31, 2006.

Additional rebates or incentives are available to supplement the grant

• In Ontario, Enbridge Gas Distribution provides a $50 rebate to its customers who complete the second evaluation (see posting on TorontoMLS for link to info).
• The federal government has also announced the EnerGuide for Low-Income Households program due to start in January 2006, through which low-income households will be able to benefit from $1,000 to $5,000 of assistance per household for energy-saving renovations (see posting on TorontoMLS for link to info).

For more information

Website:

http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/home-improvement/grant/grants.cfm

Phone number for ordering free publications:

613-995-2943, or 800-387-2000 outside the National Capital Region.

Website explaining ENERGY STAR guidelines:

(http://www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/energystar/english/consumers/)

How to obtain this incentive

Following the second evaluation, the licensed EnerGuide for Houses service organization makes the application for the grant on behalf of the homeowner. A list of service organizations is provided here (http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/home-improvement/service/contact-advisors.cfm)