Within the City of Edmonton, residential homes contribute 20% of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions. To meet the municipal goal of reducing emissions by 35% by 2035, the City of Edmonton has introduced the Home Energy Retrofit Accelerator Program, offering rebates for homeowners who make energy efficient upgrades to their home.
For you as a homeowner, this means you will be partially or fully reimbursed for home upgrades that will add value to your investment, make your home more comfortable, and save you money on utility bills!
If you’re curious how your home and community stack up against others within the City, check out the Edmonton Home Energy Map, an interactive map that lets you view EnerGuide ratings and see how your home’s emissions compare to others.
What is the Home Energy Retrofit Accelerator Program?
The Home Energy Retrofit Accelerator (HERA) program offers rebates to eligible homeowners for upgrading key areas of their home, such as insulation, windows, and heating systems. The program also provides homeowners with expert information on what upgrades will provide the most value and efficiency increases for your home, so don’t worry if you don’t know where to start! As part of the rebate process, homeowners receive professional advice and an official EnerGuide rating for your home.
Once you register for the HERA program, you’ll have 18 months to complete the upgrades, and will be required to provide supporting documentation. The professionals at A. Clark Roofing & Siding are well versed in the program and will provide all documentation you need for any eligible upgrades, so there’s no issues down the line and no time delay for you to get your rebates.
We are always looking for ways in which we can help customers and the local community as a whole meet their goals. With over 70 years of experience in the community, we have been providing professional guidance served with integrity and a focus on results.
Jay Dunlop, General Manager – Edmonton
Upgrading your home insulation
The insulation in your home is one of the most important factors in how energy efficient your home is, because it wraps around your entire house, creating an air and moisture barrier and providing thermal insulation (measured by your R-value).
Your attic insulation is especially important because it impacts your roofing system. Ideally, your attic should be sealed, insulated, and ventilated, creating an airflow system where hot and cool air are contained. Any air that is not contained can lead to moisture build-up, which can wreak havoc with your roof. Many older homes have poor insulation, which is an easy (and very cost-effective) upgrade with major results.
Insulation is one of the easiest and cost-effective ways to improve the living quality and energy efficiency of your home. Our homes and buildings are complex systems and our understanding and capability of stewarding those systems has changed over time. Any time a customer is renovating a roof or exterior walls, we recommend, even without rebates, that we ensure their attic and exteriors are working at their potential.
Jay Dunlop, General Manager – Edmonton
In addition to reducing your household emissions, improving the insulation in your home also has several other benefits:
- Keeps your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter
- Save up to 20% on your energy bills
- Avoid ice dams
- Reduce excess moisture and promote airflow
- Reduce strain on your HVAC system
- Maintain a more comfortable temperature in your home
So, what can you upgrade that is eligible for the HERA program rebates? Homeowners can utilize this program to upgrade the following:
1. Attic Insulation: $0.66/sq ft to a maximum of $1,200 per home
2. Exterior Wall Insulation: $1.05/sq ft to a maximum of $2,500
3. Foundation Wall Insulation: $1.05/sq ft to a maximum of $1,500
For example, if you upgraded your attic insulation to R-70 over 760 sq ft, you would receive a $501.60 rebate for the attic insulation! Additional rebate bonuses are also available for homeowners who make multiple upgrades, putting even more money in your pocket.
Get a free quote + get saving
If you are ready to save money this winter and improve your home’s value, all while reducing your household emissions, visit the HERA site for details and to get started.
Got questions? Reach out to the professionals at A. Clark Roofing & Siding, trusted Edmonton roofing, siding & insulation experts in the community for a quote to upgrade your exterior wall or attic insulation.