On April 28, 2017 Alberta will roll out its new Energy Efficiency Rebate Program. Earlier this week Energy Efficiency Alberta published information on the program to their website and public interest has been so intense that the site crashed on its first day. The program has multiple segments that can all save you money. Here we’ll lay out some of these potential savings for you.
Home Improvement Rebate Program
Alberta’s Home Improvement Rebate Program offers rebates on three different kinds of home improvement installations. These are insulation, windows, and tankless water heaters.
First, you can install new insulation of R-12 to R-50 in your attic and/or main walls, and insulation of R-0 to R-12 in your basement in order to receive a rebate by the square foot up to an incredible $3500. This project will save you money in the long term and put money back in your pocket towards a renovation project right now. Maybe now is finally the time to renovate your undeveloped basement. You could receive huge rebates just for insulating the walls prior to dry walling.
Second, if you replace existing windows with new ENERGY STAR® triple pane, low-e, argon windows you can receive a rebate up to $1500. The Alberta Energy Efficiency Program has specified rebate rates by the size of the window and its construction material. There are three sizes described: Small (24” x 24”), Medium (36” x 36”), and Large (72” x 72”) windows. You can simply replace existing windows throughout your house with ENERGY STAR® triple pane, low-e, argon windows but now might be a great time to install energy efficient egress windows in your basement. In many homes the existing windows do not meet the government’s requirements for egress windows so enlarging these window openings and replacing them with new energy efficient windows might be a critical part of your renovation project and an excellent way to save money. Consider this work as part of a basement renovation, where you would already be receiving a rebate for energy efficient insulation installation.
Third, you can save up to $1000 with the installation of a new ENERGY STAR®-approved tankless water heater. Tankless water heaters will not only save you money but your family will never run out of a hat water. While being energy-conscious will imply that you don’t leave your water running excessively, this can still be an incredibly helpful feature for large families, especially those with similar schedules where hot water often runs out. As a basement installation, this project is a perfect addition to your basement renovation project.
Residential No-Charge Energy Savings Program
The Residential No-Charge Energy Savings Program allows you to have an inspector visit your home and replace things like light bulbs, power bars, and shower heads, with high-efficiency alternatives. All of these upgrades come at absolutely no-charge to you. Take a look and register today.
Residential Retail Products Program
The Residential Retail Products Program offers you incentives on the purchase of energy-efficient products, even those that you would already be purchasing for some of the upgrades listed above. Effectively, you can get two rebates for your renovation projects. The first one is an incentive on purchases at participating suppliers and the second is a rebate after installation.
Business, Non-Profit, and Institutional Energy Savings Program
Feeling left out as a business owner? The Business, Non-Profit, and Institutional Energy Savings Program offers incentives to businesses that replace inefficient lighting, HVAC, and water heating equipment with high efficiency alternatives. After installation, you can apply for a rebate and send your invoice to Energy Efficiency Alberta. They will then reimburse you for some of your cost. Right now there’s no word on how much this will be, but we should find out in early May of 2017 when the program goes into full swing. Check out a full list of approved products here. (This dead link has been removed.)
Residential and Commercial Solar Program
Whether you’re a business or homeowner the Residential and Commercial Solar Program offers up to a 30% rebate on the installation of solar power systems to reduce your on-the-grid power consumption. This program will launch in the Summer of 2017. Solar power has really taken off in Alberta and the systems are more stable than ever. We also have a range of qualified contractors in this province that are now familiar with the installation, use, and servicing of these systems.
While Alberta’s Energy Efficiency Program offers many different incentives to become more energy-efficient, one of the most advantageous projects would be a basement renovation. This could save you thousands in the purchase and installation of windows, insulation, and a tankless water heater. If your project requires the installation of new egress windows then you’ll need a reliable concrete cutter. If you have any plumbing installation requirements then Rodeo Cutting & Coring Ltd. is your answer for all your concrete trenching, excavation, and removal. Rodeo Cutting & Coring Ltd. is not only an excellent choice for your concrete cutting needs, but we’ll be running a promotion on windows until the end of May 2017. Check our Facebook page for more information.