| As part of the Ontario government plan to build a | | | | 2. The auditor carries out the pre-retrofit audit - it |
| cleaner, greener future, the Province is investing | | | | lasts 1-2 hours. The homeowner is provided with a |
| millions of dollars over four years to help | | | | comprehensive written report listing |
| homeowners save money by installing energy saving | | | | recommendations on energy efficiency |
| features. A welcome byproduct of this program is | | | | improvements. |
| that these measures help fight climate change. As a | | | | 3.Once the auditor completes the initial audit, a notice |
| result, everyone benefits: the homeowners save | | | | is sent to the provincial Home Energy Audit Program |
| money and in the process we are helping to reduce | | | | which issues the $150 rebate cheque. |
| greenhouse gases. | | | | $5,000 is the maximum grant... |
| Energy Audit | | | | ... home owners can receive toward the cost of |
| The amount of assistance that the provincial | | | | installation of equipment or home insulation. |
| government will provide to homeowners toward a | | | | Is there any 'catch' or drawback to the program? |
| home energy audit is $150. By having the energy | | | | None that we can see other that it ends relatively |
| audit, the homeowners can find out how to improve | | | | soon - March 31, 2011. |
| energy efficiency in their homes for things such as | | | | Here is the list of Improvements and retrofitsthat |
| loss of heat from the rooms, cooling, hot water and | | | | help reduce the energy consumption in your home |
| insulation around the house. On average, the | | | | and qualify for the grant: |
| homeowners have realized annual savings of about | | | | A. Home systems: Heating, ventilation, cooling. |
| $1,200. The reduction in greenhouse emissions that | | | | B. Insulation - attic, exterior, basement, crawl space. |
| was achieved by adopting the recommendations | | | | C. Water: Hot water heater, water conservation |
| made in the audit, amount to 1-2 tonnes - per house!! | | | | D. Air Sealing: doors, windows, skylights. |
| Who is Eligible for the Ontario Home Energy Audit | | | | After the energy upgrades are completed, the |
| Program (HEAP) | | | | auditor will once again inspect your home and provide |
| Any resident of Ontario who owns a single family | | | | the owner with a post-retrofit evaluation. The new |
| home is eligible for the program. The HEAP will | | | | energy efficiency rating that the home receives |
| provide a rebate of 50% of the cost of the | | | | shows the improved energy use. From that rating |
| pre-retrofit audit; the limit per household is $150. The | | | | the amount of annual savings from more efficient |
| audit is conducted before any renovations commence | | | | energy use can be calculated. |
| to improve home energy conservation. | | | | No Obligation to Proceed. |
| How the Home Energy Audit Program works. | | | | The home owner should not worry that once he |
| 1. The homeowner selects an auditor for a | | | | invites an energy auditor to his home, he is obligated |
| pre-retrofit audit. The cost of this first audit is | | | | to proceed with a retrofit of some sort to receive |
| approximately $300. The energy auditors are licensed | | | | the Ontario pre-retrofit audit rebate. He will simply |
| by Natural Resources Canada. You can find an auditor | | | | receive the Report that contains recommendations |
| through your utility company, the contractor who will | | | | on energy efficiency improvements. After that he |
| do the repairs such as install a new furnace. Natural | | | | can decide whether to proceed with an upgrade or |
| Resources Canada provides a list of home energy | | | | retrofit. At the very least he will have peace of mind |
| auditors in your area; it can be found on the NRC | | | | knowing how energy efficient his home is and what |
| website. | | | | upgrades, if any, will have to be made in the future. |