By Sarah Grishpul

The Federal government is reintroducing a popular home retrofit program this year, renamed the Canada Greener Homes Grant, to reimburse up to 700,000 Canadian homeowners for retrofit projects that will benefit the environment.

In 2007, the Harper government introduced the popular ecoENERGY Retrofit program, which provided financial assistance to encourage Canadians to make renovations that will improve their home’s energy efficiency.

This year, the Trudeau government is bringing back the program, retitled the Canada Greener Homes Grant, as part of their agenda to fight climate change.

According to the Natural Resources Canada website, this program will help make Canadian homes more energy-efficient, create new jobs, and grow the country’s domestic green supply chains.

Homeowners will be reimbursed up to $5000 in cash after completing retrofits. Including an additional $600 for the cost of home energy evaluations that must be completed before and after the renovation.

The grant can be used for retrofit projects such as improving insulation, replacing an oil furnace, purchasing a water heater, installing solar panels, and fixing windows or doors.

To be eligible for the grant, homeowners must provide proof of ownership of the primary residence, complete a pre- and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation, and ensure that all products are bought in Canada.

Properties must be either single or semi-detached houses, townhomes, mobile homes on a permanent foundation, the residential portion of a mixed-use building, permanently moored floating homes, or small multi-unit residential buildings.

Renovations retroactive to December 1, 2020, are eligible for the grant.

New homes that are six or less months old are not entitled to the program.

Canadians can learn more about the program and apply for reimbursement at Canada Greener Homes Grant (www.nrcan.gc.ca).

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