NB 143
Feb. 13, 2006
MONCTON (CNB) - The New Brunswick Existing Homes Energy Efficiency Upgrades Program is now available to New Brunswick homeowners. Energy Minister Bruce Fitch announced the new program today in Moncton.
The program has been developed by Efficiency NB, the New Brunswick Energy Efficiency and Conservation Agency, to provide New Brunswick homeowners with financial assistance to make their homes more energy-efficient.
"This program for existing single-family homes will provide financial incentives for applicants who make energy-efficient improvements to their homes as recommended through the federal EnerGuide for Houses program," Fitch said. "This program, and the more than $5 million set aside for it, demonstrates government's commitment to supporting energy efficiency for the province and all New Brunswickers."
The New Brunswick Existing Homes Energy Efficiency Upgrades Program has been designed to leverage the existing federal EnerGuide for Houses retrofit grants, and to provide additional financial incentives to homeowners looking to make energy-efficient improvements. The provincial program will follow the EnerGuide for Houses eligibility criteria in order to ensure consistency, and will focus on home improvements that can show real efficiency gains.
Homeowners will be required to apply first to the federal EnerGuide for Houses program.
"Tying the program to EnerGuide is practical," Fitch said. "It takes advantage of a program that is up and running, provides homeowners with the information needed to make the best investment, allows New Brunswick homeowners access to federal grants, and has a built-in savings verification system."
After first applying to the federal program, the province will provide homeowners with a $50 EnerGuide evaluation coupon that will be applied against the cost of an EnerGuide evaluation.
Applicants who make the EnerGuide-recommended home improvements, confirmed by the EnerGuide evaluation, will then have a choice under the New Brunswick Existing Homes Energy Efficiency Upgrades Program of:
* An interest-free loan of up to $10,000 to help finance recommended energy-efficiency improvements; or
* A cash rebate of up to $1,500 for the 15 per cent HST for eligible expenses in making energy-efficiency improvements.
All those presently engaged in a federal EnerGuide for Houses audit, but who have not had their final evaluation completed before Sept. 9, 2005, will still be eligible for the $50 EnerGuide evaluation coupon, and will be able to apply for the loan or HST rebate.
All program forms and details will be available to the public through Service New Brunswick (SNB) Service Centres, the SNB toll-free line: 1-888-762-8600, SNB online (http://www.snb.ca) and Efficiency NB online (http://www.efficiencynb.ca).
As well, New Brunswick homeowners can obtain an application from the constituency office of their local MLA.
Efficiency NB, the New Brunswick Energy Efficiency and Conservation Agency, is an independent Crown corporation established by the province in 2005. The objective of Efficiency NB is to help the people of New Brunswick use energy more efficiently, make better energy choices, control energy expenses, and lessen the impact of energy use on the environment.
For more information on the program, contact SNB toll-free at: 1-888-762-8600.
06/02/13
MEDIA CONTACT: Jill Whitehouse, director of marketing and communications, Efficiency NB, 506-333-0908.
06/02/13
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