Only homes that have undergone a residential energy efficiency assessment by an energy advisor licensed by Natural Resources Canada will be eligible for grants.

Detached homes, row housing, duplexes, triplexes and mobile homes on permanent foundations and some small apartment buildings of three storeys or less may qualify for ecoENERGY Retrofit for Homes grants.

The ecoENERGY Retrofit grant is based on the type and number of energy improvements that have been made, and how much the efficiency of the home has been improved. The grant is based on how effective that upgrade is in saving energy, not on the cost of the upgrade.

The maximum grant one can receive per home or multi-unit residential building is $5,000; whereas the total grant amount available to one individual or entity for eligible properties over the life of the program is $500,000. The average grant is expected to be more than $1,000 and will yield an average 30 percent reduction in energy use and costs.

Grants available for energy efficiency retrofits

The Government of Canada provides grants to property owners who complete energy efficiency retrofits based on the energy advisors' recommendations. Owners of low-rise residential rental properties may also qualify for a grant.

The grant amount is based on carrying out energy efficiency retrofits such as increasing your attic insulation or replacing your gas furnace with a qualified ENERGY STAR® model. Only homes that have undergone a residential energy efficiency assessment by an NRCan-licensed advisor will be eligible for grants.

You can make a difference

Today, 17 percent of all energy used in Canada goes toward running our homes. Every time we use energy from fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, we produce greenhouse gas emissions. By using less energy in our homes, we help reduce the production of the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and harm our environment.

Nowadays, homes that are more than 25 years old have the potential to save an average of 35 percent of their energy use. Homes that are more than 50 years old could achieve even greater savings – an average of 38 percent.

Since 1998, more than 270,000 property owners have used NRCan's energy efficiency program to help identify and solve home comfort problems and plan their energy efficiency retrofits. NRCan data show that if these property owners undertook all the retrofits recommended, they would reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by almost 4.6 tonnes per year, per house.

How does the residential energy assessment service work?

Only homes that have been evaluated using NRCan's residential energy assessment service will be eligible for a grant.
The service includes:

1. a detailed energy evaluation of your home carried out by a licensed energy advisor
2. a "blower door" test to find air leaks
3. a printed report that shows where your energy dollars are being spent and what you can do to improve your home's energy efficiency
4. an energy efficiency rating label that shows you how energy efficient your home is compared with others in your region

Energy Efficiency Rating

The residential energy assessment service is available across Canada through a network of licensed organizations. Simply call to make an appointment.

Your advisor will review your report with you, explain the details and answer your questions

The residential energy assessment service is not a pre-purchase home inspection – it deals specifically with energy efficiency. If you are concerned about the general condition of your home, energy advisors will recommend that you call a home inspector.

When should you use the residential energy assessment service?

Does your home have comfort problems such as drafts, cold spots and frosted windows?
Find the source of these problems and get information about repairing them.

Renovating or retrofitting?
Energy advisors use state-of-the-art evaluation practices and can advise on the best modern techniques and types of products.

Upgrading your heating and cooling system?
Energy efficiency improvements can make a difference to the size of the heating and cooling system that your home needs.

Selling your house?
After you've made energy efficiency upgrades and comfort improvements to your home, the energy efficiency rating label shows potential buyers how much you've improved your home's energy efficiency and how it compares to other homes in your area.

The benefits of the residential energy assessment service

Peace of mind
NRCan-licensed energy advisors provide unbiased advice on how to improve your home's energy use. The service is also quality-assured by the Government of Canada to ensure the integrity of the residential energy assessment service.

Understanding your options
The residential energy assessment service provides a thorough basement-to-attic assessment of your home's energy use. The energy advisor's written report will help you to plan retrofits that will improve the energy efficiency of your home or multi-unit residential building.

Proof of upgrades
After you have completed your energy upgrades, our experts will provide you with a second (post-retrofit) evaluation and a new energy efficiency rating label that indicates your home's improved energy use.

Grants toward your retrofit expenses
Only homes that have had pre- and post-retrofit evaluations from an NRCan-licensed energy advisor are eligible for grants. The grant amount is based on each of the recommended retrofits you have completed and the relative impact the retrofits have on the energy efficiency of your home. For instance, replacing your gas furnace with an ENERGY STAR® qualified furnace will achieve a high level of energy savings and will therefore have a bigger grant value. Your energy advisor can suggest the retrofits that are your best options.

Taking action to alleviate climate change
The use of energy from fossil fuels is a major cause of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Canadians are being encouraged to use less energy. Make your contribution to help protect our environment by using the residential energy assessment service.

Who is eligible for grants?

For full details on eligibility, consult your local NRCan-licensed service organization

Here are the main criteria:

You can apply for a grant for a property that you own and live in or rent out. This includes detached, semi-detached and row houses and low-rise residential buildings of three storeys or less (with a footprint of less than 600 square metres), as well as mobile homes on a permanent foundation.

Grants are available for work done within a specific time frame, so it is important to talk to your local service organization about the eligibility of your house as soon as you are ready to plan and undertake your energy efficiency retrofits. You have 18 months from the date of your pre-retrofit evaluation to complete the work and qualify for a grant.

Only homes that have undergone a pre- and post-retrofit residential energy assessment service by an NRCan-licensed advisor will be eligible. You will be able to apply only once per property.

Homeowners must carry out specific improvements in order to qualify for a grant. NRCan-licensed energy advisors will be able to tell you which retrofits have the greatest impact on your home's efficiency. The greater the improvement, the more the grant will be.