And, this is excellent news for those of you who could not take advantage of last fall’s 2020’s government grants for energy-efficient home improvements.
The government has just launched, as of May 27th, grants of up to $5000 for energy-saving upgrades. Reimbursement of up to $600 for the necessary EnerGuide Evaluation is provided (a new evaluation must be performed for this grant).
Natural Resources rolled out the Canada Greener Homes Grants to support Canadians who want to make their homes more energy-efficient and fight climate change. Read more about this grant initiative here on the government of Canada website.
As you consider new energy-efficient windows, the Canadian government and Enbridge Gas Inc (a company merger with the former Union Gas) rewards and encourages your decision to help our environment through rebates and no-interest loans.
Also, for people who applied to the 2020 fall energy audit and grant program before the last fall cut-off date, a government 2021 summer-program offering interest-free loans up to $40,000 through the Canada Mortgage and Housing (CMHC), allows switching out your older windows for energy-efficient versions for
Read more about this available interest-free loan.
There is a current 2021 rebate for replacing windows available of up to $5,000 through Enbridge Gas Inc for their customers who are income-qualified wanting to make energy-efficient replacements of windows, doors, insulation, air sealing, water heater, boiler or furnace. At least two or three recommendations, depending on the desired upgrade, must be completed.
Read more here about this available rebate.
Older windows make it difficult to keep your winter heat in and summer heat out. According to the Canadian Ministry of Energy, over 25% of energy is lost through the continued use of older windows.
The ENERGY STAR North American program is designed to reward manufacturers who create products with less energy that reliably help the environment through further energy efficiency. As a result, this saves consumers money.
Any manufacturer of a product can choose to put their product through the ENERGY STAR testing and certification process. ENERGY STAR certified products meet more strict energy performance specifications. Read here to learn more.
The ENERGY STAR program was created almost 30 years ago in the US as a voluntary labeling program to help identify energy-efficient products.
According to Wikipedia, the ENERGY STAR program was first applied to computer and printer products.
An employment report recently projected employment in energy efficiency is growing at a higher rate than in any other division of the energy market.
New efficiency standards are updated every few years. With that, the 2020 standards are more stringent and come nearly a decade after the last updates. A big change leaves behind the need for certain products for specific geographical temperature zones.
Windows that are ENERGY STAR certified are approximately 20% more energy efficient.
Doors that are ENERGY STAR certified are approximately 15% more energy efficient.
Windows and sliding glass doors that meet the new ENERGY STAR ‘most efficient’ standards are approximately 55% more energy efficient.
The ENERGY STAR symbol makes high-efficiency products easy to recognize in the Canadian market, whether for appliances, windows, doors and other products. It is an original trademark of the US Environmental Protection Agency. It is handled and promoted by Natural Resources Canada. This government branch ensures the sustainability and energy efficiency of our land’s resources, products, renewable sources, forests, science and data, transportation, Indigenous natural resources and funding, grants, and incentives to sustain them all.
Even without rebates, the argument to change your windows and doors makes good sense for your future pocketbook, the resale value of your home and the gains for our environmental concerns. If you are able to take advantage of some rebates available now, that is even better!
Call Forest City Window & Door Ltd. at (519) 659 6906. We are happy to help you choose from our selection of beautiful ENERGY STAR certified windows and doors. Or visit our website jeffreyj80.sg-host.com