CB Login

CB Online

None

March 30, 2009 ecoEnergy Program Updates PDF Print E-mail
On March 30, 2009, the Minister of Natural Resources made an announcement outlining changes to the ecoENERGY program. These changes are a result of the 2009 Budget in which the Government of Canada increased program funding by an additional $300M. A detailed FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) is available on the NRCan website at www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca.

What are the new grant amounts?


The grant amounts have increased by 25%, but the maximum grant available to a homeowner through the program is still $5,000 per house per homeowner. While program funding has increased by $300M, grant payments are always subject to availability of funding and homeowners should be encouraged to complete their retrofits and have their post-retrofit evaluation as soon as possible. A new grant table is attached for use and distribution until stock of the new brochure is available. We will advise you as soon at it becomes available.

What’s the new deadline for a post-retrofit evaluation?


Homeowners have 18 months or until March 31, 2011 (whichever comes first) from the date of their pre-retrofit homeowner report to complete their renovations and apply for a grant. Please note that as the program is ending on March 31, 2011, those participating in the program after October 1, 2009, should be clearly informed that their deadline for eligibility would be March 31, 2011, rather than 18 months from the date of their homeowner report.

Homeowners do not have to wait until the end of the program to book their post-retrofit evaluation. As we approach the end of the program, there will be an unprecedented demand for evaluations. Please apply for your grant or have your appointment booked well before the end of the program.

Which homeowners will be paid according to the new grant table?


Homeowners whose onsite E evaluations ( post retrofit / renovation ) occurred before the Minister’s announcement (March 29th and before) will be paid according to the grant table in effect January 1st, 2008. This grant table does not include the 25% increase.

Those who have an E evaluation ( post retrofit / renovation ) on or after the Minister’s announcement March 30, 2009, will be paid according to the new grant table which includes the 25% increase.

Can homeowners participate in the program a second time?


Homeowners who have already received a post-retrofit evaluation and/or a grant can re-enter the program. They will be given an additional 18 months from the date of their first post-retrofit evaluation to apply for another grant.

NRCan, in cooperation with the provincial partners, will be sending a letter to all homeowners who have already had an E evaluation to advise them of this program change and opportunity. We will forward you a copy of this letter once it is available.

What about homeowners whose 18 month deadline to apply for a grant has expired?


Homeowners who missed their opportunity to apply for a grant because their 18 month deadline had passed, will be given the opportunity to receive a grant for the work they completed. These homeowners will be sent a letter indicating that they have until September 1, 2009 to perform a post-retrofit evaluation. Following this evaluation, the homeowner will be given an additional 18 months to perform further retrofits and have a second post-retrofit evaluation to be eligible for further incentives.

NRCan, in cooperation with the provincial partners, will be sending a letter to all homeowners who have already had a D evaluation but whose 18 month deadline to apply for a grant has already expired to advise them of this program change and opportunity. We will forward you a copy of this letter once it is available.

Will extensions be permitted?


SOs will be allowed to grant extensions of up to 3 months under exceptional circumstances such as a medical emergency, job loss, contractor disputes, etc… If you are uncertain whether an extension should be provided, please contact your Account Manager for advice.

SOs will be required to keep a list of all homeowners who have been granted extensions including the reason for the extension and must have this list available when requested by the Account Manager.

Certain mixed use buildings now qualify for participation– which ones?


For the purpose of the ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes program, a mixed-use building is defined as a building that is used for residential and non-residential purposes and has:
  • no more than 3 storeys above grade;
  • a footprint of 600 m2 or less;
  • no more than 20 units;
  • no more than 2 exterior entrances that provide access to all spaces; and
  • at least 50 percent of the total floor area (which includes the basement) that is used as one or more permanent residences.
In addition, all of the dwelling units and non-residential units, and at least 50% of the common areas, must be accessible during the evaluation. Mixed-use buildings that contain commercial or industrial equipment or systems that is not usually found in dwellings are excluded.

Examples Mixed-use Buildings that Would Qualify:
  • Buildings that contain non-residential spaces without commercial or industrial equipment, such as a clinic, a travel agency, a sewing shop, a bed and breakfast, a second hand shop, a bookstore or an office.
Examples of Mixed-Use Buildings that Would Not Qualify:
  • Buildings that contain non-residential spaces with commercial or industrial equipment, such as: a restaurant with commercial stoves, refrigerators and freezers; a health food store or corner grocery with commercial freezers/coolers; or a laundromat with commercial washers and dryers.
When mixed-use buildings are evaluated under ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes, it is important to note that the results of the energy evaluation may not entirely reflect the building since they do not take into consideration the energy use or internal heat gain associated with non-residential equipment and the occupancy of spaces for non-residential use.