PLANNING ON MAKING YOUR HOME MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT? Saskatchewan EnerGuide For Houses and Natural Resources Canada's ecoENERGY Retrofit SaskEnergy, on behalf of the Province of Saskatchewan and Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN) are offering a new residential energy efficiency assessment service to owners of single family homes including detached, semi-detached and low-rise multi-unit residential buildings (MURBS) that are no more than three storeys high.  Under the new Saskatchewan EnerGuide for Houses and the ecoENERGY Retrofit programs, property owners can qualfy for provincial and federal grants by improving the energy efficiency of their homes, and reducing their home's impact on the environment.  The list of eligible improvements has been expanded to include geothermal, solar, electrical, and water initiatives, in addition to heating and insulation improvements. The maximum grant you can receive for a home or MURB is $10,000 - that's $5,000 from the Province of Saskatchewan and $5,000 from NRCAN.   For more information about the Saskatchewan EnerGuide for Houses program, visit SaskEnergy's Website or call toll-free 1-866-409-9770.  While on their website note that the ENERGY STAR Prime Rate Loan Program has been extended to December 15, 2007 and they are offering a $15 rebate on the purchase of a Programmable Thermostate from October 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008. To book a Saskatchewan EnerGuide for Houses and Natural Resources Canada eco-Energy Retrofit Grant home evaluation/audit, please contact one of the Saskatchewan service organizations: Sun Ridge Group in Regina, Saskatoon and throughout Saskatchewan, call toll-free 1-800-667-3700 or book online at www.sunridgegroup.ca. AmeriSpec Regina and south of Davidson, call 306-565-1703; Saskatoon and north of Davidson, call 306-652-8779; The Battlefords and Lloydminster, call 866-871-8111 and in Prince Albert call 1-306-862-2797. Energy Wise Solutions in Saskatoon and surrounding area call (306)291-8075 or 1-877-787-4238 EcoENERGY Retrofit Grants Canadian home owners can also take advantage of the EcoEnergy Retrofit to help their homes more energy efficient.  In Saskatchewan this program is operated in concert with the Saskatchewan EnerGuide for Houses which is administered through SaskEnergy as detailed above.

PST Rebates

As of April 1st 2005, ENERGY STAR® qualified home refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers and clothes washers purchased from a Saskatchewan vendor are exempt from Provincial Sales Tax (PST). As of November 8th, 2005, the exemption was expanded to cover ENERGY STAR® Furnaces and Boilers.

Saskatchewan Home Energy Improvement Program (SHEIP)

Saskatchewan Housing Corporation has renewed and improved the Saskatchewan Home Energy Improvement Program (SHEIP) and is extending its availability until March 31, 2011.

SHEIP will offer top-up grants to the Saskatchewan EnerGuide for Houses Program and the federal ecoENERGY Retrofit Initiative. When combined, the maximum grant level is up to $4,000 ($4,700 in the north) for households with dependants that have a gross household income of up to $52,000 in southern Saskatchewan ($62,000 in the north). The level of assistance varies by income, type of dwelling and family composition.

Heating and ventilation system upgrades, insulation, air sealing and draft proofing were previously covered under SHEIP. New eligible improvements also include; air conditioning, water heating systems, such as tankless hot water heaters; solar hot water systems; drain water heat recovery (DWHR); and water conservation recommendations, such as low-flow or dual flush toilets.

Upon approval from Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, qualifying applicants must book a home evaluation with one of the Saskatchewan service organizations above.

For further information about SHEIP applicants need to call 1-866-388-8433 or the housing authority in Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw and Prince Albert.

IT'S A FACT

DID YOU KNOW? During the heating season, for every 1°C you lower your thermostat, you can save 2 percent on you heating bill. During the cooling season, for every 1 degree you set it higher than 22°C, you can save 3 percent on your cooling bill.