BC may well be the best province to live in when it comes to available federal and provincial support for greening your home.
Sales tax exemptions on Energy Star windows, insulation and more, plus Livesmart BC – a rebate program that matches federal Ecoenergy rebates for BC residents, all make living greener more affordable out West.
On the East coast, even PEI boasts an impressive list of supports from low-interest financing on home energy upgrade costs, to sales tax rebates on upgrade expenses and renewable energy equipment.
In fact, up until this week, every province in the country other than Alberta generously offered financial assistance programs to help home owners reduce the carbon footprints of their homes.
In many ways Alberta was a black hole – a wasteland where little help was to be found for those wanting to save energy. Outdone by every province including the Maritimes, Alberta has now waged a come-back, and an impressive one at that.
Albertans can now save from the moment they pay for an energy audit. Three major qualifying upgrades, new efficient furnace or boiler, insulation upgrades, and efficient water heaters, can qualify you for up to $4,050!
But there’s also a bonus for new home buyers. As of January 1, 2009, those who take possession of a new home with an Energuide rating of 80 or higher could see between $1,500 and $10,000 coming back to them! Not only are eco-minded buyers now rewarded for their actions, but builders of efficient homes will most certainly see a new wave of demand directly related to this program.
Alberta’s New Eco-rebate Program
| Who can apply | What’s eligible | Rebate value |
| *New home buyers |
New homes -must achieve a higher energy efficiency standard (an EnerGuide efficiency rating of 80 or higher) |
$1,500-10,000 |
| *Homeowners | High efficiency heating systems
-includes furnaces or boilers |
$400-600 |
| *Homeowners | Clothes washers -all ENERGY STAR® clothes washers |
$100 |
| *Homeowners | Insulation -upgrading insulation based on ecoENERGY home evaluation |
Up to $3,150 |
| *Homeowners | Hot water heaters -energy efficient models based on ecoENERGY home evaluation |
$250-300 |
| *Homeowners | Energy evaluation -federal ecoENERGY home evaluation |
$100 pre-retrofit evaluation $100 |
| **Taxi owners and operators |
Gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle | Up to $3,000 |
*Eligible purchases for new home buyers and homeowners are retroactive to January 1, 2009.
**Taxi-operator hybrid rebates are retroactive to July 1, 2008.
For specific information on what purchases are eligible and how to apply for a rebate, visit
www.ClimateChangeCentral.com, or call toll free at 1-888-537-7202.
