The EcoEnergy Retrofit Program of Natural Resources Canada is meant to financially aid businesses to implement energy saving projects at their facilities. Such projects may include upgrading insulation, installing energy efficient lighting, reducing air leaks in compressed air systems, among many projects. The amount of grant money available includes 25 percent of the cost of the project up to $50,000 per application and $250,000 per corporate entity for medium and small businesses.
For businesses to be eligible for the EcoEnergy program, it must have less than 500 employees be registered with the CIPEC network of Natural Resources Canada. CIPEC, or Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation, is a government and industry initiative which helps businesses in Canada become more energy efficient. Companies that register as CIPEC leaders get access to information and resources which help to reduce energy costs and pollution.
For individuals, there are grants to help retrofit your home to make it more energy efficient. For those with existing homes the eligibility requirements include semi-detached and single-family homes. Additionally, most owners of residential buildings that are multiunit and low-rise buildings with at least 50 percent permanent residential space are eligible. The highest grant for a home or residential unit is $5,000.
To get such a grant you needed to have booked a retrofitting by March 31, 2010. If you have, then before starting upgrades you must hire a service organization licensed by Natural Resources Canada. They will send an advisor evalute the energy use of your home and determine what energy saving appliances will benefit you the most. The appliance installation and post-retrofitting evaluation need to be completed by March 31, 2011 or 18 months from the day of the pre-retrofit evaluation. (See ref 2)
Home retrofit products may include installation of various EnergyStar qualified gas furnaces and gas and oil boilers. The grants include $375 for the first gas furnace with 92 percent annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) which you install in your home. Also $625 is granted for the first EnergyStar qualified oil furnace with 85 percent AFUE or higher and a brushless DC motor.
Grants are also given for an additional energy efficient unit. For the second gas furnace with a 92.0 percent AFUE or higher you can get $190. For the second oil furnace with a brushless DC motor, you are given $315. These grants may be given to both owners of single-family homes and owners of multiunit residential buildings. Grants are higher for other appliances. For instance, to install an earth-energy system that is certified by the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition and complies with CAN/CSA-C448, the homeowner is given $4,375.