Province Expands Residential Energy Efficiency Program

Owners of multi-unit residential buildings in Nova Scotia can now get up to $9,500 in rebates for making their properties more energy efficient and more comfortable for their tenants.

The province is investing $650,000 this year in a new EnerGuide program for multi-unit residential buildings.

"We should all take steps to improve the energy efficiency of our homes and buildings," said Richard Hurlburt, Minister responsible for Conserve Nova Scotia. "Whether you increase insulation or improve the air tightness of your property, investing in energy efficiency is an effective way for Nova Scotians to better protect themselves from the rising cost of fuel."

The program will help even more Nova Scotians save energy and money, and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Landlords can achieve annual energy savings of up to 30 per cent by participating in the program. They can also reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by five tonnes per multi-unit building, on average.

The maximum federal rebate for eligible upgrades is $5,000 per building under the ecoENERGY Retrofit program. The maximum provincial rebate is $4,500 per building. Eligible buildings may include a family home with a separate apartment in it or apartment buildings under a certain size. Rebates depend on the number of units and the upgrades made to the building.

To participate in the program, building owners must schedule an energy evaluation with a company that is certified through EnerGuide for multi-unit residential buildings. The evaluation involves determining existing insulation values, a blower-door test to identify air leaks, a report with upgrade recommendations, and an estimate of potential annual energy savings.

A follow-up evaluation must be conducted after the building owner has made the recommended upgrades. They must be done within 18 months of the initial evaluation.

"The province's choice to provide funding for energy efficient upgrades to multi-unit residential buildings is good for building owners, tenants and the environment," said Terry Watters, president of Sustainable Housing and Education Consultants. "This program provides building owners with a cost-effective way to reduce their buildings' energy consumption and provide their tenants with more comfortable living spaces."

There is a fee for the initial and follow-up evaluations, and the province is subsidizing half the cost of each. The cost depends on the number of units in the building. Residential buildings under three and a half storeys with up to 20 units and a maximum footprint of 600 square metres, or 6,458 square feet, are eligible for rebates under the program.

For more information on the program, building eligibility or to find a certified evaluator, call Conserve Nova Scotia's toll-free EnerInfo line at 1-800-670-4636 or visit conservens.ca .