1y ago

Greener Homes Grant program proves more popular than federal government expected

www.winnipegfreepress.com

Non-Paywall Article

9 comments

Imagine how popular going green would be if the provincial governments (looking at you, Alberta) were smart enough to offer grants as well.
- We have both in Quebec but they usually don't cover enough to entice homeowners... we prefer to waste energy instead.
I really wanted to use this when i redid my windows, but they had to be professionally installed. Found it cheaper just to do it myself then use the grant.
- Based on the diy renovations I see in my travels and online, most people not in said profession cannot be trusted to install things properly.
  Are you 100% confident that if a neg pressure test was done it would conclude you installed them to spec?
  
  Yes, I am.
  I work for city hall, right beside the inspectors, so I had them look over the work!
  That said, until I re-wrap the house this year, it's a patch
- Yep, buy a 100 years old house with wood framed windows and air leaks everywhere? You better do everything yourself because the government programs don't cover the cost of labour.
I got approved a few months ago and will have solar panels installed in the next few months. I am happy to hear there will be a second stage as I want to get my windows replaced next. If AB could elect a competent government I would also replace my mid-efficient furnace.
I used this to get my windows replaced a little while ago. Ended up covering about 30% of the cost, but it was a long process that requires you to pay for everything up front and wait for re-imbursement. Though that was before the loan portion was added.
One thing I’ll say about these programs, is while I like that it encourages energy efficient upgrades, they mostly seem to benefit people that already have the income to cover most of those upgrades. Be nice if there was something similar for rental properties where the tenants that pay utilities would see a pretty direct benefit.
For anyone in Sask, SaskPower has a program now where they’ll provide some upgrades free of charge, and is available to people renting (landlord approval, but it’s all free, not a partial rebate like many programs). They’ll give you things like LED bulbs, smart power strip, clothes drying rack, and smart Ecobee thermostats.

9 comments