Probably the most important home renovation is the one that delivers value, meaning that home energy efficiency improvements are at the top of the list. Through the Home Reno Rebate Program from Union Gas, energy efficiency upgrades are eligible for various rebate programs. In fact, property owners who do "energy smart upgrades" can qualify for significant rebates to offset the cost of those upgrades. Better still, the long-term utility savings will make a big difference on the monthly home budget.
By improving overall energy efficiency throughout the home, property owners may qualify for up to $5,000 in renovation grants.
And when that work is professionally done, energy bills can be reduced by up to 20% every year. The truth is, a high-quality energy retrofit will also increase the value of the home. Today, an energy efficient home is much more attractive to a prospective buyer, offering a distinct value advantage over other homes that may be less energy efficient. Available Rebates have also never been higher. For those who qualify, the Home Reno Rebate Program offers cash-back up to $5,000 to offset eligible renovations or upgrade costs.
A reputable, professional contractor like GNI must perform all of the renovation work, and when renovations have been completed, the Energy Advisor will execute a post-reno appraisal.
Applicants must heat their home with a natural gas furnace or boiler. Wood burning stoves, oil, propane and electrically heated homes are not applicable. The owned home must be detached; semi; row townhouse; or mobile home
For the homeowner, insulation upgrades are sure to deliver short-term and long-term benefits. These upgrades might include insulation enhancements in the basement, attic and roof, exterior walls, and other areas of the home where R-Values can be substantially increased. To take full advantage of the Home Reno Rebate Program, homeowners must take responsibility for ensuring their eligibility; for choosing a qualified Certified Energy Advisor; for undertaking to hire an authorized contractor; for compiling invoices; and for meeting the required deadlines.
By improving the energy efficiency of your home in a number of different areas, you are able to capitalize on the $5,000 home reno rebate cap, and make multiple home improvements more affordable. After you have made your first two upgrades, you receive an extra $250 for every upgrade (up to a maximum of $5,000) on top of the rebate amount listed for that upgrade. This makes it even easier for you to see a return on your home improvement investments.
Please note that you must contact a Registered Energy Advisor before doing any work on your home to be eligible for rebates. Once you have had a Registered Energy Advisor conduct an Energy Audit of your home, and you are certain of which home reno rebates you qualify for, it is important that you contact a trusted contractor, such as GNI. This is important not only for your eligibility regarding the Home Reno Rebate Program, but also to ensure that your home improvements are in the hands of experienced professionals who are willing to guarantee the quality of their work.
Also, by having the required pre-renovation Energy Audit conducted, you are able to see every possible method of improving your home’s energy efficiency, ranked in terms of their cost-effectiveness. With this information, you are able to directly target the upgrades that will not only make your home more affordable to operate and comfortable to live in, but those that will also help you see the biggest return through Union Gas’ Home Reno Rebate Program.
Energy efficiency improvements are the single most effective way of lowering the costs involved with keeping your house running properly and comfortably. In most homes, attic insulation improvements are the most substantial and affordable way of improving comfort levels and utility costs, but they are not the only way that you can qualify for a hefty return through the Home Reno Rebate Program.
Union Gas also offers home reno rebates for homeowners who make eligible upgrades to other parts of their home that affect their overall energy consumption. This includes up to $750 for furnace or boiler upgrades, $40 per window or skylight that is upgraded to ENERGY STAR qualified models, and $200 for water heater upgrades. Additionally, Union Gas provides up to $550 dollars to help cover the cost of both the pre-renovation Energy Audit and the post-renovation Energy Audit - both of which are required for a homeowner to be eligible for the program.
Once your home upgrades have been completed, you may notice that your home not only becomes less drafty and more comfortable, but that it also has better interior air quality, and even a higher market value. Any homeowner who improves the energy efficiency of their home will carry these benefits for years to come, saving more and more money on monthly utility bills as time progresses, and making even more money on the sale of their house when it comes time to move. An energy efficient home will also be less affected by rising energy prices or future energy shortages, making any upgrades you do through the Home Reno Rebate Program more effective with every day that passes.
With higher rebates (up to $5,000) now available through Ontario’s Green Investment Fund, it’s the perfect time to start doing the energy retrofits that will pay off in the years to come.
Learn more about how to receive up to $5,000 in Union Gas rebates when improving home energy