Most homes, regardless of their age, can be made more energy efficient through specific, targeted energy efficiency upgrades.
What we offer
The Existing Homes Energy Efficiency Upgrades Program provides New Brunswick homeowners with a grant or an interest-free loan to help make their houses more energy efficient.
Financial incentive
- Efficiency NB will subsidize the cost of Natural Resources Canada’s residential energy assessment service by $400. The cost to you depends on the size of your home, starting at $50 for a house of 2000 ft2 (including basement).
- Once recommended upgrades have been completed and you have received your final home rating, Efficiency NB offers either;
- A Grant: 20% of eligible upgrade costs (including HST) to a maximum of $2000; OR
- A Loan: interest-free loan of up to $10,000 repayable over a maximum 6-year term.
- An additional $500 Home Heating System Upgrade Bonus is available until March 31, 2010 for the replacement of low efficiency home heating systems to high efficiency ENERGY STAR® or EPA rated systems.
Efficiency NB will offer an additional $500 bonus to homeowners going through the Existing Homes Upgrades Program or the Existing Multi unit Residential Building Program who upgrade their existing heating system or wood burning appliance to an energy efficient system.
The $500 Home Heating System Upgrade Bonus is available to program participants who install an ENERGY STAR rated central heating system or an EPA rated wood burning appliance between November 5, 2008 and March 31, 2010.
Who qualifies?
Owners of detached, semi-detached or row houses. (If you received a contribution from the Energy Efficient New Homes Program for your home you do not qualify).
How does it work?
- Book an energy assessment with a company licensed to provide the residential energy assessment service.
- After the assessment, the energy advisor will provide you with a detailed written pre-upgrade report which includes:
- An analysis of your home’s present energy loss; - Customized recommendations for cost effective upgrades;
- The current energy efficiency rating of your home; and
- Your home’s potential rating based on recommended upgrades.
- Complete some or all of the upgrades in the pre-upgrade report as recommended by your energy advisor within 18 months from the date on your report and schedule a post-upgrade assessment (no additional cost to you).
- The energy advisor will return to conduct the post-upgrade assessment and provide a new energy efficiency rating.
- Submit the completed application form along with the following documents: - Copies of both the initial and final reports;
- The checklist provided by the energy advisor which confirms the energy upgrades; AND
- Receipts for upgrade work (materials and labour).
- Qualifying applicants will receive either a grant OR a loan, as selected in their application:
- Grant cheques will be mailed;
- Loan amounts will be electronically transferred to your bank account. (To homeowners qualifying for the Home Heating System Upgrade Bonus, a $500 cheque will also be issued).
Certified energy advisors
Service providers have been licensed by Natural Resources Canada. Contact a licensed service provider to book an energy assessment of your home.
Do you have any questions?
For more information about the program, contact us.
