A great resource on home retrofits from our friends in Markham

The City of Markham has posted a great webpage on home energy retrofits, definitely worth a visit.

The City of Markham has put together a lively and informative webpage with all you ever wanted to know about home energy retrofits.

It's got everything from information on government subsidies to homeowner testimonials to information on the best products available (sound familiar?). The FAQs are particularly good. We've copied them below.

Check out the full webpage at https://yourvoicemarkham.ca/home-energy-retrofits

Why should I retrofit my home?

Residents who invest in home energy upgrades can lower their energy bills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect against energy price increases and improve the comfort in their homes.

Below are some examples of the benefits of common deep retrofits:

Deep Retrofit	How it Works	Benefits
Heat pumps	Moves heat from one space to another: In the winter it warms by transferring heat inside and in the summer it cools by sending heat outside Can be used for space conditioning and domestic hot water	Increases value of home Reduces costs for electric heating, natural gas, and water heating Requires less maintenance than combustion heating systems Provides both heating and cooling Safer than combustion-based heating systems Can last up to 15 years
Insulation and air sealing (building envelope, ducts, windows, doors)	Slows the flow of air into or out of your home Insulation slows the rate of heat loss Air sealing prevents air leakage from places such as windows and doors	Fewer drafts during the winter Less noise from outside Improves air quality as a result of less humidity, pollen, dust and pests Better humidity control Reduces heating and cooling costs
Smart thermostats with Zone Control	Divides your home into multiple zones, which allows you to set different temperatures for each space	Eliminates wasteful heating Creates more comfortable temperatures Reduces heating and cooling costs
High Efficiency Furnace (Energy Star)	Results in less heating going to waste High efficiency furnaces have over 90 per cent efficiency while older models typically have around 65 per cent	Uses less energy than other models Longer lifespan than older models Lower energy bills Saves even more energy when paired with a smart thermostat
Solar PV options with battery storage	Converts sunlight energy into electricity	Source of renewable energy Solar generated can be stored by battery (for power outages) Excess power can be sent into grid (get credit on bill with Net Metering)

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What is the EnerGuide home evaluation?

Conducting an EnerGuide home evaluation(External link) can help you understand your home's energy use and identify areas for improvement.

The audit is carried out by a registered energy advisor. Your energy advisor will examine the exterior and interior of your home to look for air leaks, indoor air quality, insulation levels, HVAC equipment, and much more.

Once the assessment is complete, you will receive customized recommendations in the form of the following documents:

An EnerGuide rating and label
A Homeowner Information Sheet
A Renovation Upgrade Report

For more information on how to interpret your results, please visit Natural Resources Canada(External link).

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How much does an energy audit cost?

The EnerGuide home evaluation typically costs between $400-600. Homeowners pay up-front for evaluations. However, a number of grants are available to cover the costs of the evaluation.

For programs such as the Canada Greener Homes Grant, you must complete the process in order to receive reimbursement for the pre-retrofit evaluation.

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How do I complete a home energy retrofit?

The following steps summarize what to expect when undertaking a home energy retrofit:

1. Arrange an EnerGuide home evaluation

Contact a Canadian Home Builders Association (CHBA) (External link)Qualified Net Zero Energy Advisor to arrange an EnerGuide home evaluation.
Registered energy advisors will conduct a detailed audit of your house and identify areas that can save you energy and money.

2. Review results

Once your home evaluation is complete, your energy advisor will share the following documents with you:
- An EnerGuide rating and label
- A Homeowner Information Sheet
- A Renovation Upgrade Report
Using this information, you will be able to select the appropriate retrofits for your home.
For more information on how to interpret your results, please visit Natural Resources Canada(External link).

3. Select and hire contractors

Work with a CHBA Qualified Net Zero or RenoMark contractor.
Certain upgrades are only eligible for reimbursement if they are installed by a licensed professional. Contractors may also be able to manage rebates and incentives on your behalf.
Find a licensed and experienced contractor by visiting the following links:
(External link)(External link)
- Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI)(External link)(External link)(External link)
- Canadian Home Builders' Association (CHBA)(External link)
Consider supporting the local economy and hire a Markham-based contractor. The following directories can help you find green companies in your area:
Disclaimer: The City of Markham does not endorse any of the contractors included in the list above, and makes no representation, warranty or guarantee and assumes no responsibility or liability for any work performed by such contractors. This list is meant strictly as a resource to aid home owners in narrowing their search when looking for a contractor, and not as a warranted referral service.

4. Apply for incentives and financing

In order to finalize your reimbursement, you may need to book a post-retrofit evaluation. Check the eligibility requirements of each grant and incentive.
You may also need to upload documents online to request reimbursement. Submit all relevant documents (invoices, receipts, etc.) using the indicated method and within the given timeframe.

5. Track and manage your retrofits

A number of tools and resources are available online to help you plan your retrofits.
Download a copy of our Project Tracker by visiting our "Documents" section on the homepage.

6. Complete a post-retrofit EnerGuide rating

Once all upgrades have been installed, you can book your post-retrofit evaluation and request reimbursement.
The post-retrofit evaluation will include:
- a new EnerGuide rating and label
- follow-up information indicating improvements to your home energy efficiency and your EnerGuide rating
Your energy advisor has up to 30 days to submit documents to Natural Resources Canada.

7. Enjoy upgrades and collect incentives

Collect your reimbursement and enjoy the benefits of an energy efficient home.

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What are the rebates and incentives?

The following rebates and incentives are available to Markham residents:

Rebate or Program	Source	Contact	Focus	Income Based	EnerGuide Evaluation Required	Details
Canada Greener Homes Grant(External link)	Federal Government	Canada Greener Homes Grant(External link)	Home efficiency and lower GHG emissions	No	Yes (Rebate if complete recommended retrofit)	Up to $5,600 available for primary residence. Newly built homes are not eligible.
Home Retrofits (External link)	Enbridge Gas Inc. Utility Company	1-855-659-0549	Home energy efficiency upgrades	No	Yes (Rebate if complete 2 qualifying upgrades)	Up to $5,000 to eligible homeowners who complete 2 qualifying upgrades.
Home Winterproofing(External link)	Enbridge Gas Inc. Utility Company	1-855-659-0549	Winterproofing	Yes	No	Free insulation, draft proofing and a smart thermostat to reduce heating and cooling costs.
Thermostat Rebate(External link)	Enbridge Gas Inc. Utility Company	1-855-659-0549	Home efficiency upgrades	No	No	Up to $75 Enbridge gas customers must register to and use discount code prior to purchase online or at Home Depot.
First Nations Conservation Program(External link)	Hydro One Utility Company	1-844-349-8972 [email protected]	Home efficiency upgrades	No	Yes	Free home evaluation and free upgrades to those who qualify. Includes LED bulbs, smart power bars, weather-stripping, faucet aerators, insulation, thermostats and more.
Energy Affordability Program(External link)	Save On Energy	1-855-591-0877 [email protected]	Lower monthly electricity costs and energy savings	Yes	Yes	Free energy assessment to those who qualify and free energy saving kits.

If you notice information that is out of date, please notify us at [email protected].

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Can I stack rebates?

Yes, homeowners can apply for multiple rebates and incentives. Please review the details of each rebate to determine which ones work best for you.

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Where can I find a qualified contractor?

Homeowners are strongly encouraged to hire an expert for deep retrofits. Find a licensed and experienced contractor by visiting the following links:

Consider supporting the local economy and hire a Markham-based contractor. The following directories can help you find green companies in your area:

Disclaimer: The City of Markham does not endorse any of the contractors included in the list above, and makes no representation, warranty or guarantee and assumes no responsibility or liability for any work performed by such contractors. This list is meant strictly as a resource to aid home owners in narrowing their search when looking for a contractor, and not as a warranted referral service.

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What should I ask when hiring a contractor?

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) recommends asking the following questions when hiring a contractor:

How can I be sure that the product you are recommending meets the applicable federal and provincial or territorial legislation?
Can I see the Material Safety Data Sheet for this product (if applicable)?
Will the product be installed according to manufacturer’s guidelines?
Are the workers trained in these procedures?
Will the retrofit work comply with municipal by-laws as well as any provincial, territorial and/or federal legislation and utility requirements?
What steps will you take to protect my family and me during and after the renovation?
What challenges as a contractor have you had working with this product?
Do you foresee any problems installing this in our home?
May I contact your references?

For more information, see NRCan's publication Keeping the Heat In(External link) and How to Recognize Energy Scams(External link).

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Where can I find more information?

For additional resources and further learning, please visit the following websites:

Air Leakage Control in Your Home(External link) (Natural Resources Canada)
Energy Cost Calculator for New Appliances(External link) (Natural Resources Canada)
Energy Star Appliances(External link) (Energy Star)
Energy Efficiency for Homes(External link) (Natural Resources Canada)
EnerGuide Energy Efficiency Home Evaluations(External link) (Natural Resources Canada)
Energy Journey for Homeowners(External link) (Save on Energy)
Make Your Home More Energy Efficient(External link) (Natural Resources Canada)

For more information on the City of Markham's sustainability initiatives, please visit:

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