Grants for Greener Homes

Here in Canada, we contribute a lot of greenhouse gasses to the environment. We are among world leaders in this regard, taking 5th place in per capita emissions ahead of China, Russia and the UK. Our government is working to get this heavy and inefficient use of fossil fuels under control. Programs such as the recently announced Canada Greener Homes Grant targets the building sector, a group responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions in the country.

The Canada Greener Homes Grant will help homeowners make their homes more energy-efficient, grow domestic green supply chains, and fight climate change. Grant participants are eligible for up to $5,600 total (up to $5000 for eligible upgrade work and up to $600 towards energy audit costs) under the initiative. Manitobans have been keen on the program, and many have reaped the rewards. A great example of the program's efficacy is a recent project in Winnipeg’s St. James / Assiniboia neighbourhood. Here, prairieHOUSE Performance and Duxton Windows & Doors supported the homeowners to dramatically upscale the residence’s environmental envelope and provide a more contemporary overall appearance in a classic mid-century modern design.

According to Gio Robson,principal with prairieHOUSE Performance (www.prairiehouse.ca), it all starts with registration for the Canada Greener Homes Grant.

“Homeowners must apply for the program and choose a company to perform an energy evaluation to determine the energy upgrade opportunities in the structure,” says Robson, mentioning that total costs run around $700 for the two required audits, of which $600 may be rebated back to the homeowner. “We offer unbiased, science-based advice that creates a roadmap for energy efficiency upgrade opportunities. This advice allows the homeowner to make an informed decision on purchases for windows, doors, air sealing and insulation, as well as other items such as non-fossil-fuel systems for space and water heating. The goal is greater energy efficiency, in-home comfort and preparedness for climate change.”

Aynsley Dueck of Duxton Windows & Doors tells Style Manitoba that their client was already renovating with Duxton’s products though Brako Building Concepts.

“We adjusted their quote with Brako Building Concepts, our dealer, who worked very closely with them to establish the aesthetic and performance details, and to help them get the grant. We manufactured tripleglazed fibreglass windows with a double Low-E and argon fill to allow the homeowner to obtain the maximum grant per window. Fibreglass windows have more glass and less frame than styles such as PVC. Less frame means less heat loss. Duxton Windows are also available in a range of colours. We provided a bronze colour accent to the inside frames to complement the rich oak interior trim,” she says, adding that on the window's exterior, they selected Midnight Blue, a colour that was similar to the original.

The doors were also colour matched, and a sealed glass unit was installed to update the old twin-door design. “Doors feature multi-point locking. This system ensures a tight fit in the frame, with multiple locks holding the door sealed tightly against drafts.

At the rear of the property, Duxton added more glazing. They also added structural supports hidden inside the new window, in a unique situation where the old window was supporting the roof. Again, more triple-glazed argon-filled glass and less frame worked to enhance the energy envelope, delivering more light and view to the property owners.

Dueck remarks that the homeowners were taken by how quiet their home had become once the job was complete. The new Energy Star triple glazing and state-of-the-art door systems effectively shut out exterior noise. More importantly, the new highefficiency windows and doors retooled the mid-century bungalow to modern energy standards and earned their client a considerable rebate from The Canada Home Energy Grant.

Visit www.nrcan.gc.ca for more information on The Canada Home Energy Grant and how to reduce your home’s greenhouse gas footprint.

BY KELLY GRAY

CURRENT OFFERS

Making your home more energy efficient doesn’t have to be costly. We make it easy and affordable to invest in energy efficiency upgrades. With a variety of programs and rebates, we’re here to help you save energy, money, and the environment.

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At Efficiency Manitoba, we’re dedicated to helping you save energy, money, and the environment.

Here are some of our top tips to help you save energy and money in your kitchen:

• Set your fridge to 4°C and your freezer to -18°C. • Clean your refrigerator coils regularly to let heat dissipate efficiently. Vacuuming the grill beneath or behind your refrigerator regularly will help extend the life of your refrigerator compressor. • Put a piece of paper in your fridge door and close the door. If the paper slides out when you pull it, there’s a good chance the seal isn’t tight and should be cleaned or replaced. • Keep your fridge away from heat sources, including stoves, sunlight, heaters, and hot rooms. • Let hot food cool slightly before putting it in the fridge. This will keep your fridge from having to work too hard to stay cold. • Always run full loads of dishes. • Use an energy-saving cycle if your dishwasher has one. Your dishwasher will run at a lower temperature, use less hot water, and save energy. • Open your dishwasher door after the final rinse to let the dishes air dry (humidity permitting). • Reduce the amount of hot water your kitchen sink uses by installing a low-flow faucet aerator. • Need new kitchen appliances? You can get a rebate of up to $100 on an ENERGY

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Go to efficiencyMB.ca/savemore for a list of eligible products.

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