Energy Efficient Rebate for New Homes

SaskEnergy, on behalf of the Ministry of Environment, is offering an Energy Efficient Rebate for New Homes. The program provides incentives to Saskatchewan residents who purchase or build a newly constructed energy efficient home after April 1, 2007 that is either ENERGY STAR qualified, R-2000 certified or has an EnerGuide for New Homes rating of 80 or above.

The rebate program will help offset the cost premium that is often associated with purchasing an energy efficient home.

Rebates include:

• $1,000 for the purchase of a home that is ENERGY STAR qualified, R-2000 certified or has an EnerGuide for New Homes rating of 80 or above, plus
• $1,000 for the installation of a solar domestic hot water heating system,
• $3,500 for the installation of a CAN/CSA-C448 compliant Geothermal System.^Note#2
• $150 for the installation of a drain water heat recovery system, and/or
• $100 for the installation of one qualifying natural gas appliance or $250 for two qualifying natural gas appliances. Qualifying natural gas appliances include clothes dryers, barbecues, cooktops, and ranges.

The benefits to the homeowner of building an energy efficient new home are:

• lower energy bills
• improved comfort
• government-backed quality assurance
• lower impact on the environment
• higher resale value

NOTE #2 - Geothermal System Qualifying Criteria

The Geothermal rebate, funded by SaskPower, is effective for homeowners who took possession of their new home on or after January 1, 2008. In order to qualify for the rebate you must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Geothermal systems must be CAN/CSA-C448 compliant and certified by the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition (CGC). Please submit a copy of the CGC Certificate with your application.

2. There is no access to natural gas+. If a home does have access to natural gas, in order to be eligible for the Geothermal rebate the homeowner must install an onsite renewable energy source++ large enough to offset the estimated increased electrical load and have a net metering system installed (or not be connected to the electrical grid).

+Definition of “no access to natural gas” – there is currently no natural gas service to the property and the cost of having SaskEnergy install a natural gas service line is equal to or greater than $9,000 (excluding winter surcharges).

++Examples of renewable energy sources – solar or wind.

To apply for the Energy Efficient Rebate for New Homes, fill out a Rebate Application Form and submit to the SaskEnergy address indicated.

For more information on ENERGY STAR qualified or R-2000 certified new homes, please contact your local homebuilder or visit the Saskatchewan ENERGY STAR for New Homes website. Information on building to the EnerGuide for New Homes rating of 80 or above standard can call REHI at 1-306-665-2525.

Homebuilders interested in becoming qualified or certified to build energy efficient housing should contact Resource Efficient Housing Incorporated (REHI) at 1-306-665-2525.