Subsidy, Financial tool

Energy, Households

The initiative includes Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program, Canada Greener Homes Grant, and Canada Greener Homes Loan. Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program: grants up-to-$10,000 (regardless of province), or up-to-$15,000 in participating provinces, plus a $250 bonus (in participating provinces only), to switch from oil heating to an eligible heat pump. Canada Greener Homes Grant (for existing applicants): grants-up- to-$5,000 to get part of your costs back for eligible home retrofits, plus up to $600 additional grant toward the total costs of your pre and post retrofit EnerGuide home evaluations. Canada Greener Homes Loan: up to $40,000, interest-free with a repayment term of 10 years. The Canada Greener Homes Loan offers interest-free financing to help Canadians make their homes more energy efficient and comfortable, at the same time to reduce air pollution.

Reduce carbon emissions from homes

Barriers of the initiative: (1) Low-income population: Lack of affordable housing is a recognized problem in major cities of Canada. The low-income population is especially vulnerable and needs financial aid to improve the energy performance of their houses and reduce their energy bills. (2) Buildings built during a specific time period: The majority of Canadian buildings were constructed prior to the implementation of new energy-efficient building codes. Furthermore, old buildings that form a part of the cultural heritage have limited opinions in energy upgrades and require special incentives for energy improvement. (3) Aboriginal population: Future sustainability of the aboriginal community in Canada faces economic, social and environmental challenges. Aboriginal people are one of the most marginalized communities in Canada with limited energy resources. (4) The cost of investment for energy upgrades and limited return on investment are major barriers in energy efficiency improvement of rental housing sector. (5) Buildings built to specific building standard/code: Provision of green certification to a building adds additional burdens to the costs of Green Buildings.