Unlocking Canada Greener Homes Grant: Your Comprehensive Guide to Home Retrofitting
Discover How Homesol Building Solutions Leads the Way in Saving you Energy and Money through Home Retrofitting, While Qualifying for Government Grants and Interest-Free Loans
Have you noticed that your energy bills are becoming increasingly expensive? Are you interested in reducing your environmental footprint while also saving money? If so, then home energy retrofitting may be the solution you need. Energy retrofitting is the process of upgrading your home’s energy efficiency by adding or improving insulation, upgrading heating and cooling systems, switching to more energy-efficient lighting and appliances, or installing renewable systems, like solar. In this comprehensive guide, we will show you how Homesol Building Solutions can help you unlock energy savings through home energy retrofitting while also qualifying you for the Canada Greener Homes grants of up to $5,600, and the Canada Greener Homes Loan which is an interest-free loan of up to $40,000 with a repayment term of 10 years. You might also qualify for thousands of dollars in additional provincial grants. Below is an explanation how it works and what steps to take.
Assessing the current state of energy consumption in your home
The first step in retrofitting your home is to have Homesol Building Solutions assess the current state of energy consumption in your home. Our team of professional energy advisors will provide a comprehensive energy audit that identifies the primary areas where you can improve your home’s energy efficiency, which range from envelope upgrades like insulation, window replacement and air sealing to heating system upgrades like heat pumps, all the way to renewables like solar panel installation. Based on the results of the audit, Homesol creates personalized retrofit suggestions for your home, using our advance training and the whole home approach, which outlines the most significant areas of improvement while considering safety, comfort, and your return on investment. The retrofit plan will include a list of recommended upgrades and what order you should complete them in, it will also show you how much energy ($$) you can save by implementing each upgrade.
Insulation upgrades
Generally, one of the most significant areas of improvement in home energy efficiency is insulation upgrades. Proper insulation helps keep warm air in during the winter and warm air out (or cool air in) during the summer. In fact, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the average homeowner can save 15% on heating and cooling costs by adding insulation in attics, basements, crawl spaces, and basement rim joists.
Upgrading heating and/or cooling systems
Another significant area of home energy efficiency is upgrading the heating and/or cooling systems. Many clients choose to apply for Greener Homes Canada programs and combine it with the provincial rebates to install heat pump system, including mini-splits, fully ducted air source system or even geothermal/water source heat pumps. Not only do these upgrades save energy and reduce your environmental footprint, but they can also lead to significant cost savings on your energy bills over time. In fact, you can expect to save anywhere from 30-70% per year on your heating/cooling bills when you convert from an older system to a high efficiency heat pump system.
Air Sealing
The next step in retrofitting your home for energy saving is air sealing. Every home has air leaks that lead to energy waste. Homesol Building Solutions will identify the air leaks in your home, so in your retrofit plan you can choose to seal them off using a combination of caulking, spray foam, and weatherstripping. This process is low cost and will help keep your home more comfortable and improve its overall energy efficiency. Professionals will attest that the best return-on-investment with home energy is air sealing. Our team will also be able to determine if your home is too air tight and should have additional ventilation added like a heat recovery ventilation system to improve air quality, health and comfort in your home.
Installing solar panels
Last but not least, installing solar panels will not only reduce your electrical bill, it will also increase the value of your home. More and more home buyers are prioritizing energy-efficient homes, and as such, solar panels have become a valuable asset. By installing solar panels, you are investing in your home, saving on electricity bills, and increasing your property’s value. Solar panels require very little maintenance, and since they have no moving parts, the likelihood of repairs is minimal. Many provinces now provide net metering, this removes the need for expensive batteries for energy storage. With net metering when your solar system generates more electricity than is being used your meter will run in reverse sending that additional electricity back to the main grid. You can then use those “energy credits” when your solar system is not providing enough electricity for your demand. It’s a win-win situation.
In conclusion, the Greener Homes Canada Grant provides homeowners with a fantastic opportunity to make their homes more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, while giving you significant incentive, up to $5,600 which can be combined with provincial grants in thousands of additional dollars as well. And if you want to do more deep energy retrofits or can’t afford the cost up front, we can guide you toward applying for the up to $40,000 interest-free loan. By taking advantage of these programs, you will reduce your energy bills, improve the health and comfort for your family, save money and increase the value of your home, while at the same time doing your part to combat climate change and move towards a better future. So, win-win-win-win-win!
If you are interested in making energy-efficient upgrades to your home, be sure to contact Homesol Building Solutions to provide you more information and guide you through the process.
#GoGreenWithHomesol and contact us today!
