ecoENERGY FAQs
We'd like to answer your questions about energy efficiency! Please call us at 1.866.381.9995 or read below.
Questions and Answers about:
Assessments
What qualifications do City Green’s advisors have? All City Green advisors have gone through extensive training and are Certified Energy Advisors through the federal government. Read More.
Is the blower door test dangerous for me or my pets? No, the blower door test is a harmless and safe test. The fan, however, does create a sound that may scare some pets.
Will I need to provide any equipment (ladder or flash light) for the Certified Energy Advisor? No, the advisor will come with all the required equipment that is needed to conduct your energy assessment.
Why do I need to clean out my fireplace? During the assessment your advisor will conduct a blower door test which depressurizes your home to measure air leakage. Since a fireplace has a large opening, air will be pulled down the chimney lifting ash and soot out of the fireplace and into your home. By cleaning out your fireplace you will avoid this.
When will I receive the report from my initial assessment? You should receive your Energy Efficiency Evaluation Report within two weeks from the initial assessment date. If you have not received your report within this time, please contact City Green at 1.866.381.9995 or outreach@citygreen.ca.
Is there a report for my follow up assessment? City Green does not provide a report after your follow-up assessment. However, you do receive a letter containing your updated EnerGuide rating and an explanation of the grants you will receive for your upgrades. You should receive this letter within a month after your follow-up assessment.
What is an EnerGuide rating? An EnerGuide rating is a standard measure from 1-100 of your home's energy performance, with a score of 100 being the most efficient. The rating system is determined by the federal government, and . It shows you (and future buyers) exactly how energy efficient your home is. The rating is calculated based on standard operation assumptions so that you can compare the energy performance of one house against another. More about EnerGuide Ratings.
Can I take a picture of my old furnace and submit it to the office, then just have one visit? No. To receive the federal and provincial grants you will need to have a Certified Energy Advisor complete both the initial assessment before your upgrades and a follow up assessment after your upgrades in order to qualify for rebates.
Eligibility
What homes are eligible? Your building is eligible if you are the owner or landlord of:
- a single family home, duplex, or other row townhouse or
- a mobile home on a permanent foundation
If your house has one part that does not share airflow with another part of the house (eg: a separate suite with a separate heating system), please let our client services staff know when you call to book.
If you are a renter in any of the above type of housing, please have your landlord contact City Green to arrange a home energy assessment.
What if I'm building an addition? Energy efficient upgrades to the existing home would be eligible for grants, but not new installations to the addition. However, to remain eligible, a home energy assessment must be conducted on the home before any construction begins.
What if I'm building a new home? Please contact City Green at 1.866.381.9995 for updates as we develop our new home rating services.
What if I already started my renovations? You will only be eligible for grants on upgrades completed after the first home energy assessment, and an assessment can only happen when your building envelope is intact and all your heating and other systems are in place. If you have already started renovating, please contact us at 1.866.381.9995 to discuss options.
Grants
Do I have to submit any paperwork? No. During your home energy assessment you will be asked to sign the grant application form and provide the advisor with any receipts for the renovations you have completed. After your follow up assessment is complete City Green will then submit all appropriate documentation for you to receive your grant.How long does it take to receive a grant cheque? After your follow-up assessment, please allow up to 90 days for federal rebates, and up to 90 days thereafter for provincial rebates. If you have been waiting longer than this timeline, please contact City Green at 1.866.381.9995 so that we can follow-up with the appropriate government agencies.
What information do your advisors need to collect and why? To complete a thorough home energy assessment our Advisors will take measurements of your home and record the energy efficiency of your current heating system, hot water system, windows and doors, insulation, draft proofing, and other aspects of building energy efficiency. These measurements are then used to model your home and calculate the energy rating for your home.
Are the grants based on income levels? No. The LiveSmart BC grants are a standard amount based on the efficiency of the products that you install and/or the improvements in energy efficiency you attain. Please see the Home Energy Efficiency Grants page for details. For low-to-middle income, affordable, subsidized, co-housing, and similar housing type energy efficiency programs, please visit www.affordablewarmth.ca. For free upgrades for people on limited budgets, consider BC Hydro's Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP) or free Energy Saving Kits.
Are the grants based on how much I spend? No. The grants are a standard amount based on the efficiency of the products that you install and/or the improvements in energy efficiency you attain. Please see the Home Energy Efficiency Grants page for details.
Is there a cost to apply? Yes. Each home energy assessment costs $150 (not including tax. Other charges may also apply). You need to have two assessments: one before and one after your renovations.
Do I have to do everything on the retrofit plan you provide? No. You remain in control of the upgrade decisions for your home. Our goal is to provide you with an on-site consultation and report of cost effective retrofit suggestions aimed at reducing your energy use - and ultimately lowering your energy bills!
How do I know if my air source heat pump (ASHP) qualifies for a grant? If your air source heat pump meets the grant program requirements and is listed on the Natural Resources Canada Product database, it qualifies. City Green can help you look it up! Email the AHRI (Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute) number for your air source heat pump system to conserve@citygreen.ca and our Technical Services department will look it up and let you know by the next day if it qualifies for a grant.
I received a letter from City Green stating my grant breakdown but it is not the amount that I was expecting, was there a mistake? The letter you receive from us only states your Federal portion of your Grant Breakdown. If you qualify for both Federal and Provincial grants, then you will be receiving two cheques, one from each program. So, in this case, the amount you see on your letter is less than what the total grants will be once you receive both cheques. If you are concerned that the amount is in error, please contact our Technical Services department at 1.866.381.9995 or conserve@citygreen.ca.
Home Upgrades and Renovations
Do you recommend contractors? City Green Solutions does not endorse any contractors. We offer independent energy efficiency advice. We recommend getting at least three quotes before choosing your contractor.How soon can I start the retrofits after the assessment? You can start your retrofits right after your assessment, although you may find it helpful to wait until you have received your Energy Efficiency Evaluation Report which provides customized, expert, and independent advice from your Advisor about priority energy efficiency upgrades for your home.
Can I do the work myself, or do I have to hire someone specific? You can complete all the retrofits yourself or hire a contractor to retrofit your home.
How soon does the work have to be completed? Upgrades and your follow up assessment must be completed within 18 months of the first assessment or before March 31, 2011 when the program is scheduled to end, whichever comes first. Please allow ample time for scheduling your final assessment.
Do I have to save my receipts? Yes, please save your receipts and invoices. Sufficient documentation is required to prove that the work you will be doing meets the criteria of the grant program(s) you are applying to (see table below for details). When your energy advisor returns to your home for the follow up evaluation they will ask to see these receipts to determine if the work you have completed meets the grant eligibility criteria.
Product Name | Invoice Requirements |
Air-Source Heat Pump | ENERGY STAR; AHRI reference number; inside and outside coil numbers |
GeoExchange System | Copy of GeoExchange Affidavit; Identification of CAN/CSA C448 certification. |
Oil/Gas Furnace or Boiler | ENERGY STAR; AFUE rating of make and model |
Gas Fireplace | Identification of EnerChoice designation |
Wood Pellet Stove | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wood-burning appliance standards. |
Insulation | Installed by contractor: invoice showing the R value of insulation added to each area of your home. |
Windows and Doors | Number of ENERGYSTAR for Canada windows and doors installed; Proof of A, B or C zone Energy Star Rating |
Heat Recovery Ventilator | Must be Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) certified Note: home must achieve a rate of 3 ACH@50Pa (Interior and Rural Region) or 4.5 ach@50Pa (South Coastal Region) at the time of the follow-up assessment. |
Solar Domestic Hot Water | CAN/CSA compliant |
Low Flow Toilet | Manufacturer; model name; and model number |
Drain Water Heat Recovery System | Manufacturer; model name; model number; drain size; and steady state % |
Gas Water Heater Replacement | a) Identification of ENERGYSTAR & Energy Factor (greater than 0.90), or b) Energy Factor of 0.82. or c) Condensing gas storage type – Thermal Efficiency of 95% |
Integrated Mechanical System | Thermal performance of 0.90 or higher. Identification that the system is compliant with the CSA P.10-07 Standard |
Draft Proofing/ Weatherstripping | No receipts required. Your advisor will test the upgrades with a depressurization test. |
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