Boulevard Property Inspection / Bulletins - Saving Money While You Save The Planet!

Saving Money While You Save The Planet!
By Alan Carson, May 5, 2008

Saving energy now makes a lot more financial sense for homeowners because several levels of government and several utilities are participating. There is assistance from several groups, but it is not easy to find all the sources of help. This paper simplifies the situation and saves you time, while pointing you in the right direction. Let’s start with some goal setting:

Consumers’ goals

1. Minimize capital spending (buying equipment)
2. Maximize home comfort
3. Minimize ongoing fuel and utility costs (operating costs)
4. Do the right thing for the planet.

Government & utility goals

1. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions to help minimize climate change
2. Conserve energy and water

The goals are more closely aligned than ever before. The cornerstone is the ecoEnergy program, a Natural Resources Canada initiative. Significant cost savings are now available to Ontario homeowners. While there are many programs and incentives, this partial list includes some highlights that we believe provide the greatest return on investment.

Heating and cooling

$1,250: 92% AFUE or better ENERGY STAR® qualified gas furnace with DC variable speed motor: $500 (Federal), plus $500 (Provincial), plus $100 from Enbridge Gas Distribution, plus $125 from Ontario Power Authority (Cool Savings Rebate), plus another $25 from Ontario Power Authority (Cool Savings Rebate) for a programmable thermostat.
$1,200: 85% AFUE or better ENERGY STAR® qualified gas or oil boiler: $600 (Federal), plus $600 (Provincial), plus $100 from Enbridge Gas Distribution (if gas).
$1,000: 85% AFUE or better ENERGY STAR® qualified oil furnace with DC variable speed motor: $500 (Federal), plus $500 (Provincial).
$800: Replace conventional air conditioner with ENERGY STAR® qualified SEER 14/15 high-efficiency air-conditioner: $200 (Federal), plus $200 (Provincial), plus $400 from Ontario Power Authority (Cool Savings Rebate).

Note: Some equipment manufacturers also offer rebates.

Insulation

$2,000: Insulate all your basement walls with more than R-23 additional insulation: $1,000 (Federal), plus $1,000 (Provincial).
$1,600: Insulate all your crawlspace walls with more than R-23 additional insulation: $800 (Federal), plus $800 (Provincial).
$200: Add a minimum R-20 additional insulation to the joist header space at the top of foundation walls: $100 (Federal), plus $100 (Provincial).
$1,200: Upgrade attic insulation from R-12 to R-50: $600 (Federal), plus $600 (Provincial).
$1,200: Upgrade flat or cathedral roof insulation from R-12 to R-28: $600 (Federal), plus $600 (Provincial).
$300: Air sealing to improve the air tightness of your home: $150 (Federal), plus $150 (Provincial).

Windows, skylights and doors

$60 each: Replacement windows that are ENERGY STAR® qualified: $30 (Federal), plus $30 (Provincial).

Note: Smaller grants are available if existing insulation levels are higher, if you add less insulation or if you can only insulate in some areas.

Conserving water

$160: Replace toilet with low flush toilet: $50 (Federal), plus $50 (Provincial), plus $60 from City of Toronto.
$175: Replace toilet with dual flush toilet: $50 (Federal), plus $50 (Provincial), plus $75 from City of Toronto (Dual flush toilets use different amounts of water for different types of waste.).

No PST!

1. There is a PST rebate until January 2010 for renewable energy installations.

2. Energy Star appliances are subject to a retail sales tax exemption in Ontario from July 19, 2007 to July 20, 2008. This includes refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers, freezers, dehumidifiers, room air conditioners, and qualifying ENERGY STAR light bulbs and decorative light strings.

Three step process:

Step 1: Get an energy audit. The cost is ~ $300. You get $150 rebate from the Government of Ontario. The report will tell you where you can save energy in your home.

Call Carson Dunlop at 800-268-7070 or
Email us at inspection@carsondunlop.com
Step 2: Make your improvements.
Step 3: Get a second (verification) audit done. The cost is typically $150 and the auditor will help complete the grant application.

The fine print

Maximum grants levels:
1. $5,000 - Ontario Ministry of Energy
2. $5,000 - Natural Resources Canada
The Cool Savings Rebate program from Ontario Power Authority is scheduled to end December 31, 2008.
These numbers are for single-family homes. There are different numbers for multiple unit residential buildings.
Equipment and appliances must meet certain energy standards. Lower grants are available for lesser equipment in some cases.

Where to go for the information you need

See the Natural Resources Canada (Federal) website at http://www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/retrofit-homes/retrofit-qualify-grant.cfm?attr=4#eligible
See Ontario Ministry of Energy website at http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=conservation.homeretrofit_faqs#q19
For information on qualifying toilets for the programs above, go to http://www.veritec.ca/uploads/Map 11th Edition Jan 14.pdf
Test results start on page 16.
For details on the City of Toronto toilet replacement program, see http://www.toronto.ca/watereff/flush/index.htm
For information on rebates from the Ontario Power Authority - Cool Savings Rebate Program, go to http://www.everykilowattcounts.ca/residential/coolsavings/
For information on Energy Star appliances go to www.energystar.gc.ca Or www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/energystar/english/consumers/index.cfm
For information on Enbridge rebates, click on this link.

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