GreenON rebates
Get a warmer, more energy-efficient home and money in your pocket
When the temperature dips below freezing, Lorne Johnson’s entire family braces for a cold night ahead.
The draft flowing through his young daughter’s room gets so unbearable some winter nights that she climbs into bed with her parents.
“It’s literally one of the most inefficient homes in Ottawa,” Johnson said. “On a cold winter day or anytime it’s below -10, you can literally feel the cold air coming from the walls.”
The family live in a Cape Codstyle home built in the late 1940s, in Ottawa’s Manor Park neighbourhood. Johnson said they love their home but can’t stand another winter struggling to stay warm.
That’s why he’s going ahead with plans to upgrade the home’s exterior wall insulation. The family had been considering the project for years, but never committed because of the cost.
When Johnson found out about Ontario’s new GreenON rebate program it was an easy decision to act on it.
Johnson, who happens to work with organizations that focus on energy-efficiency issues, can receive up to $3,800 in rebates for upgrading his home’s exterior walls at $2 per square foot — and help the environment at the same time.
The Green Ontario Fund, a nonprofit provincial agency funded by the province’s cap-and-trade program, announced the GreenON rebates in December.
The Green Ontario Fund is part of Ontario’s Climate Change Action Plan, which aims to cut greenhouse gas pollution 15 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020, 37 per cent by 2030 and 80 per cent by 2050.
The rebates are for energy-efficient home renovations associated with insulation and air sealing, new windows, and air or ground source heat pumps.
Since its inception many homeowners have been confused about the program, explains Tonya Bruin, CEO of To Do — Done Handyman Services.
The company is one of about 20 contractors in the Ottawa area approved to install eligible products in relation to the GreenON program.
“I think there’s a sense of, ‘This is too good to be true. Why does the government want to give us money?’ There are a lot of barriers we need to get over for people to recognize that (programs like this) will have tangible and positive impact on the climate,” Bruin said.
She said one of the most confusing elements of the program is that there is a competing program, which offers similar rebates.
The Ontario Home Energy Conservation Incentive Program is delivered by Enbridge Gas Distribution and Union Gas in partnership with the government of Ontario and Save on Energy. This program requires a home-energy audit by a registered energy adviser before and after “green” renovations are carried out. Part of the cost of the audits will later be reimbursed through the rebate program. Two or more improvements (such as heating system, insulation, water heater, windows and doors, appliances, air conditioner) must be installed; the homeowner can get up to $5,000 back by making these improvements.
The Enbridge and GreenON rebate programs are independent of each other and offer different incentives. Homeowners can apply for rebates through both programs but are not allowed to double dip or stack incentives for the same item, like insulation for example.
In addition, Bruin said some people have had trouble understanding the process.
In order to receive rebates, the first step for homeowners is to connect with a participating contractor.
Once a contractor is chosen they will do an assessment of the home and determine whether it meets the standards associated with the program.
Johnson is still in the early stages, having just contacted an approved contractor in his area. If his home meets the requirements, installation will be the next step.
When the work is finished and the contractor has been paid, the contractor will then submit the application form on behalf of the customer to receive the rebate.
Once the government signs off on the application a cheque will be sent to the homeowners. It should arrive in eight to 10 weeks.
Johnson hopes the changes he makes to his home not only aid the fight against climate change but also put a big dent in their heating bills.
“This is one small way people can make a difference,” he said.
Q Are all homes eligible for rebates?
A Only Ontario residents who live in a detached home, townhome or semi-detached home are eligible for rebates. Apartment or condo towers, mobile homes, stacked townhomes and fourplex homes are not eligible.
Q Can I only submit one application for a GreenON rebate?
A You can submit multiple applications as long as you don’t apply for a rebate you have already received. For example, if you replace a few windows in your home and do not reach the maximum amount, you can submit another application at a later date for remaining windows you replace. If you are a landlord you can apply for multiple eligible houses. The cap is applied to homes, not by applicant.
Q What if I can’t find a participating contractor in my area?
A New contractors are being added to the database every day. Soon there will be approved contractors from major retailers, such as Home Depot, Lowe’s and Rona.
Q When does the GreenON rebate program end?
A The budget for the program is $600 million over the next four years. There is currently no end date.
Q How can I contact the GreenON program?
A You can call GreenON Support at 1-888-7288444. The line is monitored by impartial home energy experts who can give advice on the rebate program. The support line is free to all Ontario residents.