ecoENERGY gets $400 million boost
The Canadian government said this week it will continue its financial backing of homeowners retrofitting their homes to save on energy costs.
The Government of Canada has renewed the popular ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program. From June 6, 2011, until March 31, 2012, homeowners are eligible to receive grants of up to $5,000 to make their homes more energy-efficient. Homeowners who participated in the program to date have saved 20 percent on their energy bills.
There are two important changes to the program. First, there is a requirement for participants to register directly with the program before booking their evaluation. Second, homeowners will now be required to provide receipts to their energy advisor at the time of the post-retrofit evaluation to confirm eligibility for the grant.
Homeowners can apply for grants of up to $5,000 toward the cost of energy-efficient improvements. Those improvements include upgrades on insulation and energy efficient furnaces and air conditioners.
Look into green mortgage options
If you’re buying a new home or refinancing an existing mortgage, be sure to ask your bank if they offer a Green Mortgage.
You may also get a partial refund on your mortgage loan insurance if you purchase an energy efficient home or renovate your current home. Learn more from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) about Green Homes and Mortgages. (PDF) Genworth Financial also offers an Energy Efficient Housing Program.
Save money and the environment
Toilet Rebate Program
Qualify for a mail-in rebate of $60 when you replace your old 13-litre per flush toilet with a new approved, water efficient toilet. Regular toilets waste as much as 20 litres (4.4 gallons) per flush, while new high-efficiency models can flush a bowl using only 6 litres (1.3 gallons) of water. Unfortunately homes built after Jan 1, 1996, new bathrooms additions, or residents on private wells do not qualify for the program. Additional details available on the Region of Waterloo website.
Region of Waterloo’s Rapid Transit Program
What is Rapid Transit?
Rapid transit is a public transportation system operating primarily on a dedicated right-of-way or transit lanes. By operating separately from traffic, rapid transit is a more efficient, reliable, comfortable, convenient, and effective way to travel. Experiences in other communities have proven that rapid transit encourages commuters to choose transit over private vehicles.
Why Light Rail Transit?
Bus service alone will not provide enough capacity for the projected increase in population and ridership. LRT can carry more passengers and provides a more convenient and reliable transportation choice. Furthermore, LRT can shape urban form through intensification and redevelopment and will impact land access, image, value and desirability. Environmental benefits include emission reduction; further details can be viewed on the project’s website.
Ontario Power Authority Incentives
Heating & Cooling
With the HEATING & COOLING INCENTIVE you can receive up to $650 by installing an ENERGY STAR® qualified central heating or cooling system.
Other Incentives
Maximize your energy-efficiency savings with these incentives. Ontario offers many opportunities. Check back often for updates.
Buying a new energy efficient home
There is more “new” in a new home today than ever before – new ideas, new technology, new ways to build and new ways to save. And “saving” is where today's new homes really shine. Read more here.
Residential Solar Energy Incentives
If you are a homeowner you have the opportunity to develop a very small or 'micro' renewable electricity generation project - of 10 kilowatts (kW) or less in size - on your property. You'll be paid for all the electricity you produce through the microFIT Program. It is a stream of the Ontario Power Authority's Feed-in Tariff Program for renewable energy in Ontario. Owners of these projects will be paid a fixed price for the electricity they produce for twenty years. Prices are set at a level intended to enable project owners to recover the costs of the projects, as well as to earn a reasonable return on their investment over the term of the contract. Prices paid for microFIT Projects as of August 13, 2010 for rooftop solar PV is 80.2 cents per kWh.
Here is an Overview of the Program and their general website.
A local supplier, Arise Solar, also has excellent details on their website and a photo gallery of homes with the residential installations, including several in Waterloo.
Tips to Make Moving Cleaner & Greener
Protecting the environment is an important concern for consumers, but many don't realize that moving can have a positive impact on the environment. Waste caused by the moving process not only stems from packing supplies, but also from the waste accumulated oved many years within a home. Both sources can be extremely taxing on the environment if not properly managed. So, here are some suggestions on how to make your move a cleaner, greener process:
1. PLAN AHEAD Waiting until the last minute to prepare for a move often makes environmental concerns an afterthought. Start early so you have the extra time to sort through recyclable items for delivery to recycling depots prior to moving day. Consider holding a garage sale or donating gently used tools or small appliances to a charity rather than have them end up in a land fill site.
2. RESEARCH Survey local recycling options to find the most convenient solution for recyclables. Many cities offer curb-side pick-up or 'sort and drop' depots. Visit earth911.com for a list of local organizations that can dispose of all types of recyclable materials.
3. ORGANIZE Prepare recyclables by organizing them into categories: plastic, glass, aluminum, paper, cardboard, etc. Look up the requirements of the local recycler to see if there are any additional steps needed to prepare recyclables beforehand.
4. CARE FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIAL As you clean and sort in preparation to move, be conscientious about the kinds of materials being packed to move with you and which items are to be disposed. Toxic items like paint, batteries, cleaning produc ts, automobile oils, pesticides and fertilizers are dangerous and cannot be transported in the back of a commercial moving truck. Also consider these items cannot be thrown out with your regular garbage. Look up the specialized recycling depots for toxic products in your city.
5.REUSE Do not throw away used boxes when the move is complete. A well-made corrugated box is great storage or may be reused for a future move. Contact local schools or charities like women's shelters, scout troops and food banks and ask if they need boxes to redistribute donated items. Donating gently used boxes not only reduces waste, but can be a big help in support of a good cause.
Source: Dan Hopkins, VP Two Men and a Truck Canada
Julie is an Accredited Green Agent™ and Member of the National Association of Green Agents and Brokers. If you have any questions about marketing your energy efficient home or details about purchasing one, please call (519) 742-5800 ext. 2214.
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