Planning is an important step for a successful home energy retrofit. You need to select the right measures, do them in the right order, and have them properly installed.
Most of this is new to the average homeowner, but it is not new to us. To help you navigate the basic steps, we’ve put together a simple, five-step plan to get you started.
Call our Retrofit Navigator 1-877-580-2582 or email betterhomes@envirocentre.ca for more information on the next steps in planning your retrofit.
Making the Plan
1. Get your home energy assessment
A home energy assessment is the first step in any retrofit project. It will tell you which upgrades will save you energy and make your home comfortable to live in. Home energy assessments are carried out by registered Energy Advisors. Following the assessment you will receive a report with detailed information about your home’s energy consumption.
The cost of energy assessments is subsidized when you participate in retrofit incentive programs like the Home Renovation Savings Program.
2. Choose your path
Your Energy Advisor will provide you with a report with recommendations to improve your home. Better Homes Loan Program participants can request an additional report, called the Net-Zero Recommendations Report. This report will provide Good, Better, and Best options, including which upgrades to select and the order in which to implement them.
At this stage you definitely want to consider:
- What incentives you are eligible for
- Your budget
- How to get the work done right
Planning an effective energy retrofit can be confusing! Contact us to see how we can help.
3. Put your plan into action
You have a solid idea of what you want to achieve, and what the project will involve. Now you need to make it happen. This will involve four major steps:
- selecting and booking contractors
- applying for incentives and/or financing support
- purchasing the right equipment and materials
- checking for quality at every stage to make sure your project is done right
4. The post-audit
Your retrofit is complete. The last step is completing your post-retrofit home assessment to find out how effective your retrofit is. The post-retrofit assessment is a required step for most incentive programs, including the Better Homes Loan program. Just call the company that did your original home assessment and book your follow-up audit.
6. Living post-retrofit
You have upgraded your home. Congratulations! All that is left is to make the most of the improvements you’ve made and to continue to plan for any future improvements that may take you closer to your net-zero ambitions. We’ve put together some tips to help you make this happen.