You may be wondering…
What can I do to save money on monthly bills and make my house more environmentally friendly? We can help!
We know that the phrases like “energy efficiency renovation” or “home energy retrofit” sound like a mouthful and it isn’t super clear what that means for your specific home.
Ultimately, you want your home to use less energy. This means it will be more environmentally friendly, AND it will save you money on your monthly bills.
Renovations/Retrofits can include things like upgrading insulation, sealing drafts around door and window openings and around electrical plug boxes, installing electric and more efficient heating systems, and switching to more efficient hot water setups, etc. These upgrades help reduce energy use, lower monthly bills, and make your home more comfortable year-round. The key to figuring out the order you should do things in is the Home Energy Audit.
The Home Energy Audit assesses the overall energy use in your home and helps us figure out what options will work best for you.
Who’s Eligible?
To participate in the Shift Program, you must:
- Own an existing home within the City of St. John’s
- New builds are not eligible for the Shift Program, though if you are building a new house, we will try and connect you with knowledgeable local resources.
Note: The home doesn’t need to be owner-occupied—you just need to own it as an individual. Properties that are owned by a business are not eligible.
Eligible home types include:
- Duplexes or triplexes
- Detached houses
- Townhouses and row houses
- Homes with secondary suites or apartments
Note: Multi-unit residential buildings are not eligible within the Shift Program, though we will try and connect you with knowledgeable local resources
Renovation Roadmap
Curious about what energy efficiency renovations involve, how the program works, or ready to get started? Reach out to us or book a free appointment today. We’re excited to help!
01
Book a free appointment with a Home Energy Navigator
Start by connecting with one of our Home Energy Navigators, whether by booking an appointment or giving us a call. They’ll help you understand the process and answer any questions you have.
02
Complete a Home Energy Audit
We’ll help you arrange to have a Home Energy Audit completed. This will provide you with an EnerGuide Report for your home, and helps you understand how your home is currently using energy and where it can be improved. Energy Audits are completed by Service Organizations certified by Natural Resources Canada.
03
Get Your Retrofit Recommendations
Based on your audit, you will receive a customized report for your home outlining recommended upgrades. These suggestions will vary depending on your home’s layout, condition and energy use.
04
Talk Through Your Options
We’ll walk through the recommendations. Help you understand your choices, and work with you to create a plan that fits your needs and budget.
05
Explore Financing and Available Incentives
You’ll have the opportunity to meet with a financial partner to review loan options, apply for eligible grants and rebates, and speak with a financial advisor to find the best solutions for your household.
06
Complete Your Home Upgrades
Once you have moved through the process and completed your home renovations, you will start enjoying the benefits!
The 5 Big Things – Home Energy Efficiency Renovations
Here are the five key areas where energy upgrades can make a real impact:
1. Insulation
Above Ground: Add insulation to walls, attic, and/or roof. This can be batt insulation, board insulation or blow-in insulation.
Below Ground: Insulate and waterproof basements or crawlspaces to reduce heat loss and moisture problems.
2. Windows
Replace older windows with Energy-Star rated models to improve efficiency and comfort. This can be low-e argon windows, triple pane vinyl or triple pane fiberglass.
3. Air Sealing
Seal gaps in your home, such as around windows, doors, and electrical outlets, to reduce drafts and energy consumption. Air sealing will also enable your heating and cooling systems to work more effectively.
4. Heating and Cooling Equipment
Upgrade to high efficiency equipment and change over from oil. This could simply mean a newer style and more efficient baseboards when combined with insulation and windows, but it could also mean a heat pump or in-floor hydronic radiant system with a smart thermostat.
5. Domestic Water Heating
This can mean getting your hot water tank serviced to address build up on the heating elements, insulating your hot water tank, switching to a tankless hot water heater, adding drain water heat recovery, or if budget allows, installing a heat pump water heater. Note that conserving hot water use is a no cost way of reducing the energy consumption from hot water.
Note: In addition to these core areas, the program may also suggest other upgrades like LED lighting, solar panels, or battery energy storage. These, like the options above, are considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on your home and the overall energy savings potential.
Financing That Works for You
We know that cost is one of the biggest barriers to getting started with energy upgrades.
That’s why the Shift Program includes access to low-interest loans designed specifically for energy efficiency retrofits with our program’s financial partner, NLCU. Our Home Energy Navigators can also help you identify if there are grants or rebates applicable to your household.
The goal is to find ways to reduce the upfront financial barrier and help you move forward without taking on undue financial strain. Our team can talk you through the steps and connect you with an independent Financial Advisor.
Possible Funding Options
Sorting through funding options can be overwhelming. We’re here to help you find the ones that fit best.
NLCU – Shift Program Financial Partner
The Shift Program includes access to lower-interest loans designed specifically for energy efficiency retrofits, offered through the program’s Financial Partner, the Newfoundland and Labrador Credit Union (NLCU).
The Shift Program’s Home Energy Navigators can connect you with NLCU to discuss your options.
City of St. John’s Housing Accelerator Fund
A grant of up to $20,000 for homeowners looking to build a subsidiary dwelling unit, backyard suite, or a tiny home and a potential extra $3,000 for installation of a mini-split.
This grant would potentially be applicable if a homeowner was going to combine creating an addition or basement apartment and wanted to address energy efficiency at the same time.
takeCHARGE NL
takeCHARGE offers a series of rebates and programs for homeowners covering e.g. insulation, air sealing, HRVs, and energy saver kits.
Home Energy Savings Program (HESP) Grant
Assistance is available in the form of a grant up to $5,000 for households with annual income of $32,500 or less.
Canada Greener Homes Loan (CGHL)
Ten years interest free loans are available from $5,000 to $40,000 based on your chosen retrofit.
Provincial Home Repair Program (PHRP)
Assistance is available in the form of a grant up to $5,000 for households with annual income of $32,500 or less. This grant focuses on repairs necessary to maintain a dwelling for continuous safe occupancy, which may include heating, windows, doors, roofing or siding.
Secondary Basement Suite Incentive Program (SBSI)
The Secondary and Basement Suite Incentive Program aims to grow the availability of affordable housing options throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. This grant would potentially be applicable if a homeowner was going to combine creating an addition or basement apartment and wanted to address energy efficiency at the same time.
Oil to Electric Incentive Program
Homeowners can receive an incentive up to $22,000 to help transition their homes from oil to electricity-based heat.
CMHC Eco Improvements
CMHC-insured homeowners may apply for a 25% partial premium refund when undertaking energy efficiency renovations.
Want to learn more about home energy efficiency and its benefits?
Head over to our frequently asked questions page for answers and common questions!
