SECTION 1: Simple Program Questions
- How much will my Energy Audit cost?
- How long will it take to get my incentive money?
- I'm finished / I've started work. Can I get an incentive?
- How do I get started with the Energy Smart Program?
- How do I know when I can go ahead with construction?
- How do I get my final payment for the implementation of energy efficiency measures?
- I have a contractor coming on Monday to spray in insulation in my basement. Can I get an Energy Audit done so I can get some money?
- I had an Energy Audit done a couple of years ago. Can I use that Energy Audit to apply for incentives?
- I have 11 stores around the province that I'm thinking about getting Energy Audits performed on. What should I do?
- I just purchased the building and I do not have access to 12 months of energy bills. Can I still enroll in the Energy Smart Program?
- How do I apply for the Natural Resources Canada ecoENERGY Retrofit Incentive for Buildings?
- I don't want to do an Energy Audit. I just want to go ahead with upgrades. Can I get incentives?
- I am a contractor and I am doing some of the recommended upgrades myself. Can I get an incentive?
- I've had the Energy Audit done, what's next?
- How long after sending in my Energy Audit receipt will I receive the grant cheque?
- When do I get my Energy Audit Incentive reimbursement?
SECTION 2: Typical TYPE Building Related Questions
- I’m changing my building from an office to a restaurant. Is it eligible for your Energy Smart Program?
- I sell insurance out of an old house. Should I have an Energy Audit done? (Other examples of small commercial in residential construction: doctor's office, small retail in residential construction, store with two apartments upstairs, etc.)
SECTION 3: Typical Building FEATURES Related Questions
- How much money can I get for new windows?
- I think that my building is leaky and/or drafty. What can I do?
- I think that I have wet/damaged insulation. What can I do?
- I just want to do a lighting upgrade and I don't want to audit any other building systems. Can I get money for that?
- Is equipment eligible for Energy Smart funding? (i.e.: appliances, commercial kitchen equipment, energy curtains, computers, etc.)
- Do you have incentives for water savings (i.e.: low flush toilets)?
- I have a small farm (cattle barn). Am I eligible for any programs?
- I have a large dairy / swine / poultry / potato farm (processing on site). Am I eligible for any programs?
- Is my farm equipment / fishing equipment (tractors, harvesters, boats, etc.) eligible?
- We are adding energy efficient air conditioning to our building. Can we get incentives for that?
Top
SECTION 1: Simple Program Questions
1. How much will my Energy Audit cost?
A: There is no short answer to this question since Energy Audit costs depend on may factors such as:
- the size, age, type and location of your facility
- the loads in your facility (special process loads, large connected loads, etc)
- the time of year (i.e.: are auditors busy)
You should contact two or more EMSPs to obtain a quote.
Class 1 tends to range from $1,500 to $4,500. Small businesses are typically on the lower end of this range. You should contact two or more EMSPs to obtain a quote for your specific building.
Class 2 and 3 are harder to determine a range but an EMSP can provide a quote that is specific for your building. It is hard to determine as it depends on the processes and operations of your building. You should contact two or more EMSPs to obtain a quote.
Top
2. How long will it take to get my incentive money?
A: There are two “payment milestones” – Audit Incentives and Implementation Incentives:
Audit Incentives: Will be paid within 60 days of Efficiency NB receiving a copy of the Energy Audit receipt.
Implementation Incentives (based on estimated annual energy savings): Will be paid within 90 days of Efficiency NB receiving receipts.
See Available Funding for Energy Audit and energy savings incentive amount
Top
3. I’m finished / I’ve started work. Can I get an incentive?
A: Unfortunately, no. An Energy Audit must be submitted and work pre-approved prior to commencing any project work.
See Program Steps
Top
4. How do I get started with the Energy Smart Program?
A: Contact an EMSP to schedule an Energy Audit
Top
5. How do I know when I can go ahead with construction?
A: Efficiency NB will give written notice by sending you an approved Statement of Work Form. ecoENERGY will also email approval prior to your start of work if you are participating the Federal program as well.
See Program Steps for more information on the ecoENERGY Single Window participation through Efficiency NB.
Top
6. How do I get my final payment for the implementation of energy efficiency measures?
A: Upon completion of work, submit copies of invoices for all Eligible Costs within 90 days of project completion. After a technical review by Efficiency NB your implementation will be approved and sent for payment. This process can take up to 90 days.
Top
7. I have a contractor coming on Monday to spray in insulation in my basement. Can I get an Energy Audit done so I can get some money?
A: No. The Program involves an Energy Audit that you schedule with the EMSP and then requires approval by Efficiency NB before proceeding with any work. The timeline does not allow for this process.
Top
8. I had an Energy Audit done a couple of years ago. Can I use that Energy Audit to apply for incentives?
A: Our Energy Smart Program requires that the Energy Audit has been performed in the last 12 months.
Technology, energy efficiency and building operations are continually improving and/or changing.
Top
9. I have 11 stores around the province that I’m thinking about getting Energy Audits performed on. What should I do?
A: Depending on your budget, you may want to perform only a number of Energy Audits at any one time given the fact that you need to perform the implementation within 18 months.
A trial Energy Audit may be a practical option in order to determine if the EMSP meets your needs and expectations. Once this has been determined, you should talk to your EMSP to determine if you can package the Energy Audits in order to decrease Energy Audit costs.
If submitting multiple buildings, the Participant should be aware that the lesser of the two below is paid out for Energy Audits:
a) 50% of the Energy Audit cost up to the maximum for that Building Class
b) 50% of the total Energy Audit cost for all buildings.
The intent is that the building owner pay for 50% of the energy costs.
Top
10. I just purchased the building and I do not have access to 12 months of energy bills? Can I still enroll in the Energy Smart Program?
A: Your EMSP can establish a theoretical baseline of present energy consumption as part of the Energy Audit. This is acceptable to Efficiency NB and should be discussed with you EMSP. However, ecoENERGY does not accept baseline energy consumptions and you will not be eligible for the Federal program.
Top
11. How do I apply for the Natural Resources Canada ecoENERGY Retrofit Incentive for Buildings?
A: Once your Energy Audit has been reviewed and the work is pre-approved, Efficiency NB forwards your application to ecoENERGY. No work can commence until approval from ecoENERGY is received and their Contribution Agreement signed if you are pursuing the Federal incentives as well.
Top
12. I don’t want to do an Energy Audit. I just want to go ahead with upgrades. Can I get incentives?
A: No.
See Program Steps, which must be followed in order to qualify.
Top
13. I am a contractor and I am doing some of the recommended upgrades myself. Can I get an incentive?
A: Yes, you will be eligible for incentives based on the materials only and not labour costs. Your invoice, after implementation is complete, will be required to include a material breakdown.
Top
14. I’ve had the Energy Audit done, what’s next?
A: Submit to Efficiency NB along with your 12 months of historical data, Energy Smart Summary Report Form, and proof of payment to the EMSP for services rendered.
See Program Steps
Top
15. How long after sending in my Energy Audit receipt will I receive the grant cheque?
A: It will be 60 days after Efficiency NB has received a copy of your Energy Audit receipt.
See Question 3 above for more detail.
Top
16. When do I get my Energy Audit Incentive reimbursement?
A: Upon completion of the Energy Audit, have your EMSP submit your proof of payment to Efficiency NB. It will be 60 days after Efficiency NB has received a copy of your Energy Audit receipt.
See Question 3 above for more detail.
Top
SECTION 2: Typical TYPE Building Related Questions
1. I’m changing my building from an office to a restaurant. Is it eligible for your Energy Smart Program?
A: Yes, for Efficiency NB’s Energy Smart Program, but an Energy Audit must be conducted and work pre-approved to be eligible.
However, changes in occupancy is NOT acceptable for the Natural Resources Canada ecoENERGY Program and therefore not eligible for Federal incentives.
Top
2. I sell insurance out of an old house. Should I have an Energy Audit done? (Other examples of small commercial in residential construction: doctor’s office, small retail in residential construction, store with two apartments upstairs, etc.)
A: As per the Natural Resources Canada ecoENERGY rules: If you are able to move into the building the next day and use it as a home then you can proceed through Efficiency NB’s Residential Program. Otherwise, contact a Commercial Energy Advisor to discuss options.
Top
SECTION 3: Typical Building FEATURES Related Questions
1. How much money can I get for new windows?
A: The incentive is based on energy saved in gigajoules (GJs) and not on any one particular product or technology. Your Energy Audit will detail the estimated amount of energy saved per retrofitted item for your specific building.
Envelope measures such as windows and doors alone often have longer paybacks. These envelope measures are typically a better fit with other energy efficiency measures such as lighting and heating for smaller buildings.
Top
2. I think that my building is leaky and/or drafty. What can I do?
A: A blower door test is the best option for your building if it is under 10,000 sq.ft. This should be discussed with your EMSP because it is not typically included with an Energy Audit. Additional costs may apply.
Top
3. I think that I have wet/damaged insulation. What can I do?
A: An infrared scan is your best option to determine if this is the case. This should be discussed with your EMSP because it is not typically included with an Energy Audit. Additional costs may apply.
Top
4. I just want to do a lighting upgrade and I don't want to audit any other building systems. Can I get money for that?
A: No. A comprehensive energy audit must be completed on the building including building envelope, HVAC systems, lighting systems and any process loads. Single-measure audits, such as auditing only lighting, are not acceptable for Energy Smart. Premium fluorescent T8 lighting is already subsidized through the Bright Ideas Program if lighting is the building owner’s only retrofit.
Top
5. Is equipment eligible for Energy Smart funding? (ie: appliances, commercial kitchen equipment, energy curtains, computers, etc).
A: Yes, as long as energy savings are demonstrated in your Energy Audit. However, not applicable for Natural Resources Canada ecoENERGY Program.
Top
6. Do you have incentives for water savings (ie: low flow toilets)?
A: No. Incentives are based solely on the amount of energy saved in GJs. Heating water might be included in the comprehensive Energy Audit but volume of water would not be included.
Top
7. I have a small farm (cattle barn). Am I eligible for any programs?
A: Yes, this falls under the Commercial Energy Smart Program.
Top
8. I have a large dairy / swine / poultry / potato farm (processing on site). Am I eligible for any programs?
A: Yes, this typically falls under the Small and Medium Industry Program. Please contact Efficiency NB to discuss the best option for your farm.
Top
9. Is my farm equipment / fishing equipment (tractors, harvesters, boats, etc.) eligible?
A: No. Programs are only for buildings at this time.
Top
10. We are adding energy efficient air conditionifng to our building. Can we get incentives for that?
A: Yes, as long as there are energy savings when compared to standard efficiency equipment and these energy savings are demonstrated in your Energy Audit. However, not applicable for Natural Resources Canada ecoENERGY Program.
Top
