2003/88October 21, 2003 OTTAWA - Canadian homeowners who successfully increase the energy efficiency of their houses will receive a helping hand from the Government of Canada. The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), today announced that grant applications for the EnerGuide for Houses Retrofit Incentive are now being accepted. Under this initiative, the average incentive to Canadians who make qualified energy-efficiency improvements to their homes is expected to be about $1,000. “In the Climate Change Plan for Canada, we've asked Canadians to take the One Tonne Challenge — reduce their personal greenhouse gas emissions by one tonne,” said Minister Dhaliwal. “A key way to achieve this goal is by cutting the energy we use in heating and lighting our homes. This program will help Canadians make efficiency improvements, decrease their own energy bills and do their part in responding to climate change.” More than $73 million is being invested in the EnerGuide for Houses Retrofit Incentive, a three-year program that is operated by NRCan's Office of Energy Efficiency. It will encourage homeowners, particularly those with less energy-efficient older homes, to reduce energy use in two ways. First, the Government of Canada, through EnerGuide for Houses, will share the cost of home energy evaluations that will recommend energy-efficiency improvements to homeowners. The evaluation can cost between $225 and $325, but NRCan partially subsidizes the cost by $150 per house. Second, grants will be provided, through the EnerGuide for Houses Retrofit Incentive, once homeowners complete energy-efficiency improvements. To be eligible for a grant, homeowners must have an EnerGuide for Houses evaluation of their home done before and after making energy-efficiency improvements. The amount of the grant will depend on the difference between the EnerGuide for Houses rating before retrofits and after they are done. The greater the improvement in a home's energy-efficiency rating, the greater the grant will be. Homeowners have 18 months after the first evaluation is done to have the retrofits completed, have the second evaluation done and apply for the incentive. “When it comes to climate change, we all have a role to play — individuals, governments and industry,” said Minister Dhaliwal. “I'm proud that this initiative will give Canadians some of the tools and information they need to take on the One Tonne Challenge. I'm equally proud that it demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to support Canadians who want to join our efforts by taking action now.” The EnerGuide for Houses Retrofit Incentive and the One Tonne Challenge are part of the Climate Change Plan for Canada that was released in November 2002. These initiatives advance the Government of Canada's commitment to the sustainable development of our natural resources — contributing to their economic importance and to a strong society and communities through knowledge, innovation, technology and international leadership. By integrating our economic, social and environmental goals, we can ensure our quality of life and build the Canada we want, for ourselves and for future generations. Funding for these activities was outlined in the details of $1 billion worth of programs and initiatives announced by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien on August 12, 2003. For more information, media may contact:Alexandra MuirDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the MinisterNatural Resources CanadaOttawa(613) 947-8246Ghyslain CharronMedia RelationsNatural Resources CanadaOttawa(613) 992-4447Barbara Mullally-PaulySenior Chief, Housing ProgramsOffice of Energy EfficiencyNatural Resources CanadaOttawa(613) 995-2945 Details of the EnerGuide for Houses Retrofit Incentive are available at energuideforhouses.gc.ca, or by calling 1-800 O-Canada (1 800 622-6232), TTY 1 800 465-7735.
