Funding for Energy Efficiency Improvements in Newfoundland

Published on February 19, 2019

The Canadian Government and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recently announced over $89 million of funding to help the province make energy efficiency improvements.

The federal government is drawing from the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund to provide over $44 million of assistance towards the province’s climate change efforts and programs.

Newfoundland and Labrador are contributing the other half of the $89 million total, which will allow for the province’s Home Energy Savings Program to grow, along with the new program for public building fuel switching.

The Home Energy Savings Program has been running in the province since 2017, and it helps homeowners with annual incomes below $32,500 make energy efficiency improvements and retrofits in their homes by supplying them with financial assistance.

The program for public building fuel switching is looking to provide funding to public buildings, such as schools and hospitals, to help them retrofit and fuel switch towards higher levels of energy efficiency, and lower their overall greenhouse gas emissions.

By fuel switching towards renewable electricity and by making energy efficiency improvements in many public buildings, the program is also aiming to reduce the operational costs of buildings in the public sector.

Dwight Ball, the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, has said that his government is happy that they are able to collaborate and leverage federal funding through the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund, as it will help the province of Newfoundland and Labrador make energy efficiency improvements and fuel switch towards renewable electricity.

Seamus O’Regan, the Minister of Indigenous Services, announced the funding on behalf of Catherine McKenna, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and said that these programs will help the province save energy and reduce operational costs for homeowners and public buildings, while also create jobs for the middle class and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Lower Home Operational Costs by Making Energy Efficiency Improvements

The affordability of a home can be significantly improved if the homeowner decides to invest in energy efficiency improvements, such as: greater air sealing and insulation, a smart thermostat, or a more energy efficient appliance, as it reduces the amount of energy the home uses each day. However, it can be difficult to determine which improvement would provide you with the greatest financial and energy savings per dollar of investment without help.

For homeowners in Ontario, our Registered Energy Advisors are able to provide you with a complete list of possible energy efficiency upgrades you could make to your home, ordered in terms of their cost-effectiveness. To attain all of the information about your home that they need, our advisors conduct an Energy Assessment of your home - you can contact us for a free phone consultation to help you get started!

By having an Energy Assessment done, you also help your home qualify for up to $5,000 of home renovation rebates that are currently being offered to customers of both Union Gas and Enbridge, making it even easier for you to see a return on your energy efficiency improving investment.