FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

1. Can you tell me more about the government announcement on grants for renovations?

There is grant money available to Nova Scotians who wish to improve their home's energy efficiency with renovations to things like windows, doors and insulation. There are certain criteria you must meet, for instance you must own the home you are considering renovating, and if you qualify, you can receive up to $1,500 back in grant money from the Provincial government and up to $5,000 in grant money from the Federal government.

Complete listing of grant moneys available:

 2. Who do I contact to start the process of getting the grant money?

First, you'll need to have your home's current energy efficiency assessed by a certified Energy Advisor.

Simply apply online to book a Home Energy audit with a qualified energy adviser.   

 3. Is there a cost for the assessment?

The cost of the audit is $150 plus HST for homes up to 3500 square feet.  Larger homes will cost a bit more, up to $400. Once you apply for a home audit, the  certified Energy Advisor will tell you the exact cost.   Remember, the assessment will show you where your home is using and loosing energy, it makes all your decisions educated ones. Plus, if you decide to make the changes, the money you'll save month over month on your energy bills will off-set the investment. 

Everyone who has a home energy evaluation will also receive a free "Energy Smart Choices" energy savings kit ($50.00 value). This energy kit will enable you to recover the cost of your audit through savings in less than two years.  

This assessment cost is paid to the certified Energy Advisor and not to UJ Robichaud TIMBR Mart.

4. Does TIM-BR MART issue the grant money to me?

No. The government will issue it to you ninety days after the Energy Advisor does the post-assessment on your home and files the grant application on your behalf.   

5. Can TIM-BR MART help me with the renovation?

Certainly. If you choose to hire someone to do the work for you, we can put you in touch with qualified contractors you can interview. Or, if you choose to do the renovations yourself, our knowledgeable EnerGrade Experts can help you select the right tools and products to complete your projects.

6. What can you do for me that another retailer can't?

Plenty! For instance, if you want to get started on renovations now, we can help you schedule your home energy audit.

We can also provide you with more information on the kinds of projects you can expect to undertake to qualify for Federal and Provincial incentives and help you navigate the grant process.   We are very familiar with the many government grant programs and tax credits that can apply to your home improvement project.   Let us help you cut the red tape and find the answers you need.

And we've been in business since 1867, so we know lots about the various construction techniques, and materials available to help make your home more energy efficient.   

7. What does "From Information to Installation" mean?

Step 1 - You are interested in renovating your home, and saving on energy costs, and approach us as your local TIMBR Mart.

Step 2 - If you are interested in an ecoENERGY grant, you have to apply for a home energy audit by a qualified  NRCan approved Energy Advisors.  To be eligible for a grant you, as the homeowner, must engage the services of an Energy Advisor to perform an energy assessment of the home prior to renovation.  To apply for a home energy audit online, simply click here.

Step 3 -  After the evaluation has been complete, then you will receive a copy of their assessment, with descriptions of various projects that will improve the energy efficiency of your home. This report prioritizes the recommendations based on potential for savings and outlines the value of grants available for each project.

Step 4  - Our in-store EnerGrade Expert will review the assessment with the you and discuss which projects we can help you achieve.

Step 5 - You purchase the products required to complete the project and either complete the renovation yourself or engage a contractor to complete the renovation. We can assist in referring qualified contractors to do the work for you.  As for the materials, we offer special project pricing to customers going who are renovating their homes as part of a home energy audit.

Step 6 - After the project is complete, the Energy Advisor performs an additional Energy Assessment of your home. The home's increased R-Value, proof of work completed and receipts are submitted by the Energy Advisor to the office of Energy Efficiency.  You have until March 31, 2012 to complete your work and to schedule the post-retrofit assessment.

Step 7 - A check covering the value of the grant will be mailed directly from the Federal government to you within ninety days.   A check for the provincial component of the grant will usually follow 4-5 weeks afterwards.

8. What are the top five areas of my home I should be looking at for energy efficiency?

Saving energy is more than just weatherstripping.  It's also about using the right products the right way, like setting your programmable thermostat lower at night and during the day when you are away.  That said, an energy advisor will generally look at the following five systems within your home: Insulation, Windows and entrance systems, Heating and ventilation, Plumbing and Electrical

9. I can do the work required for the energy upgrade.  If I do the work myself, am I still eligible for the grants and incentives?

Yes, provided you receive a pre-retrofit energy assessment by a qualified energy advisor.  To receive a grant, you must obtain a post-retrofit assessment after the upgrades have been carried out.  It is important to keep a copy of your invoices for the materials purchased for the upgrades for up to three years as you may be asked to submit a copy.  Homeowners are responsible for ensuring they obtain all necessary permits and meet all municipal and provincial requirements.

 10. What is an Energrade Expert?

An Energrade Expert is a TIMBR Mart staff member that is dedicated to energy efficiency, including acting as a liason between you the homeowner, government agencies and qualified energy advisors.  Come into our store and ask to speak to our Energrade Expert today!

Our Energrade Experts are Chad Comeau and Marc Robichaud. 

11. Is anything available for low to modest income families?

Yes.  Low to modest income Nova Scotians that qualify for the Low to Modest Income Program will also receive a $400 grant in addition to the provincial Energuide grant (provided they qualify for at least $200 in grant moneys). 

Qualified participants may also be reimbursed the cost of the home energy evaluation ($150 + HST).  To qualify, income and program criteria must be met.

If you are a homeowner with a net single income of less than $25,000 or a homeowner with a net family income of less than $40,000, you may qualify for the reimbursement and the additional $400.00 incentive. 

Click here to download the application form for the Energuide for Houses Assistance program.

Also if you are low income, own your own home and heat with electricity - you should check out this brochure from Efficiency Nova Scotia.

12. Is anything available for multi-unit residential buildings?

Yes -  apartment buildings with less then 20 units and 3 storeys are eligible for rebates under the Energuide for Multi-Residential Buildings program. 

Click here to download Efficiency's Nova Scotia's program guide for Multi-Unit Residential Buildings.

Multi-Unit Residential Buidlings (MURBs) can include a family home, with a separate apartment in it or an apartment building with up to 20 units.

Eligible MURBs must meet the following criteria:
Apartment buildings up to 20 units
No more than three storeys high
Maximum footprint area of 600 square metres (6,458 ft2)
Small buildings no more than three storeys high for which at least 50% of the floor area is used for one or more permanent residences
Must be able to conduct blower door test (for buildings with 4 or more dwelling units, all units must be accessible by no more than 2 exterior entrances).

Step 1: Receive an energy efficiency evaluation on your MURB before starting any upgrades. Contact one of the following energy assessment providers. Click here for a full list.

The cost of your initial assessment depends on the size of your building:

Step 2: Receive a detailed report with a prioritized list of energy upgrades for your building.

Step 3: Complete your retrofits and receive your final assessment within 18 months from the date you receive your initial assessment report.

Step 4: Contact your energy assessment provider for a follow-up assessment. Again, the cost of your assessment will depend on the size of your building:

Step 5: Receive your rebates for your eligible work completed.
The maximum rebate for building envelope improvements* is calculated according to the number of units in the building:

*Building envelope rebates cover insulation, air sealing, doors/windows/skylights and water conservation upgrades

MURB Multiplier  (for insulation and air sealing rebates)”
The appropriate multiplier must be applied to the rebate level identified based on the nature of the work done and the number of dwelling units in your building:

13.  I have already participated in this program, am I eligible to participate again?

If you are a prior participant of this program and have not claimed the maximum $5000 in federal grant dollars, you may re-apply to go after remaining grant dollars.  If the property has already been evaluated since April 2007, a new pre-retrofit evaluation is not required.   You will have to pay the cost of the home evaluation to re-enter the program.

Products and equipment purchased before June 6, 2011, or installed before your pre–retrofit evaluation are not eligible. You will need the registration number provided by NRCan before booking a post–retrofit evaluation. 

You will also need your 10 digit ecoEnergy file number from your initial assessment. You can find this number on your initial report or on the mini-label on your electrical panel.

Click here to register as a past participant in the program.   (Opens the NRCAN website)

14. Can I apply for a grant multiple times?

Current homeowners can only apply for a federal grant one time per property between June 6, 2011 and March 31, 2011.

15. Why are upgrades purchased and installed before June 6, 2011 not eligible for an incentive?

The program aims is to encourage homeowners to implement energy efficient retrofits that they might not otherwise have considered, and not to act as a rebate for work already completed. Therefore, the program does not incent products and equipment purchased or installed prior to the introduction of Budget 2011 on June 6, 2011.

 16. What is the last possible date I can obtain my post-retrofit evaluation?

New and past participants have until March 31, 2012 to complete their retrofits, have their post-retrofit evaluation and sign the Application Form. However, program registration will close to new participants without notice if it appears that funds will be fully expended before that date.

Evaluations taking place after March 31, 2012, will not be eligible for a federal grant. Simply booking an evaluation appointment by the deadline is not sufficient. There can be no exceptions or extensions for any reason (including, but not limited to, unavailability of energy advisors) as NRCan's financial authority to under current programming ends on that date. You should schedule your post-retrofit evaluation at the earliest possible date since it may be difficult to book an appointment as the program nears the end date.

The payment of grants is subject to available funding, so homeowners should register soon in order to be eligible to participate in this program.

17.  What state must the home be in to have an energy evaluation?

In order to have an energy evaluation, the energy advisor needs to perform a blower door test which depressurizes the house and measures air leakage. At a minimum, the house must have a space heating system in place at the time of the evaluation and it must be (or have been in the case of heating system failure) capable of keeping the interior living space at 21 degrees C. The house must also have all windows and doors in place. However, a maximum of one window or door unit can be missing as long as it is temporarily air sealed (e.g., covered with plywood and seams and edges sealed with caulking). Any broken window panes must also be air sealed (e.g., taped polyethylene) for the duration of the blower door test. If the temporary air sealing fails during the blower door test, the house will be considered ineligible. The building envelope, which includes the upper level ceilings, exterior walls, exposed floors, windows and doors, must be intact, including the interior and exterior surfaces (i.e., the interior finish and exterior siding must be in place). Any renovations underway in rooms or sections of the house can only affect interior partitions and not perforate the building envelope. The house must also be resting on its permanent foundation(s). There must be a supply of standard AC electrical power available by which to operate the blower door test equipment. If power is not available from a utility, the homeowner must come to an agreement with the service organization about arranging for a suitable power supply.

In addition to the above, there must also be a functional supply of domestic water supplied by the municipality or from a private source such as a well or a cistern system. Sewer service must be provided by the municipality, a private septic system or a holding tank (outhouses and bio-toilets are permissible as toilets). The kitchen space must include: an operable sink (or appropriate rough-ins); an operating stove (no portable devices) or hook-ups (i.e., rough-in for electrical connection with dedicated breaker, gas appliance rough-in, or solid-fuel fired cook stove chimney); and a minimum of six square feet (0.5 square metres) of counter space or evidence of future intent to install a permanent counter (not just a kitchen table).

18. What if I added rooms or re-built my home after the pre-retrofit evaluation?

The ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program does not apply to new construction. If you have added additions or re-built your home, this is considered a new construction and will not be eligible. Non-energy related renovations such as new roofs are also not eligible.

19.  Does pre-owned equipment qualify for the grant?

No. If a piece of equipment was previously installed in a home or building and removed, it may no longer meet manufacturer’s specifications. As well, the Government of Canada must take precautions to ensure that another homeowner did not already receive a grant for the same equipment. Your energy advisor will ask you to provide receipts to ensure the equipment is new.

20. What if I cannot complete my renovations prior to March 31, 2012?

Homeowners will not be eligible for a federal grant if their post-retrofit evaluation takes place after March 31, 2012, and there can be no exceptions or extensions for any reason. The grant is based on upgrades completed between the first and last evaluations, and if you cannot complete a retrofit prior to your post-retrofit evaluation, that measure will not be eligible. For example, if your renovations include a new gas furnace and it is impossible for your gas utility to dig in the frozen ground in time for you to complete the installation and have a post-retrofit by March 31, 2012, then you would not be eligible for this grant. However, if you have other retrofits which may be grant eligible, NRCan recommends that you proceed with your post-retrofit evaluation well before the deadline to ensure that you remain eligible to apply for these other upgrades.

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