Did you miss out on attending the Home Efficiency Retrofit Orientation (HERO) webinar? You can now review the webinar highlights below or on Markham's YouTube page.

The highlight video is focused on helping homeowners understand their energy use, recognize the benefits of energy efficiency, and confidently retrofit the home leading to reduced energy bills and improved home comfort. Learn from our webinar facilitator, Marcus Hinds P.Eng., MBA, CEM, PMP, a Certified Energy Manager with more than ten years experience in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) optimization and Energy Auditing.

Key Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - What is an Energy Audit/Evaluation
• 00:02:09 - The Blower Door Test
• 00:04:11 - The Meaning and Importance of R-value
• 00:05:01 - The Role of Insulation
• 00:06:49 - Types of Insulation
• 00:10:06 - Furnaces
• 00:12:17 - Energy Star Furnaces
• 00:14:14 - Energy Star Air Conditioners
• 00:15:33 - Heat Pumps
• 00:16:40 - Types of Heat Pumps
• 00:18:08 - Smart Thermostats
• 00:19:50 - Tankless Water Heaters

Video produced in partnership with The City of Markham, The City of Richmond Hill, Humber College, and Enbridge Gas. Please contact sustainaiblity[@]markham.ca with any questions.

The Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) program delivered by Enbridge Gas and Canada’s Greener Homes Grant has been an overwhelming success. Effective end of day Monday, February 5, 2024, this program will not accept any new applicants or complete any pre-retrofit energy assessments.

Customers who have already completed an initial pre-retrofit energy assessment by February 5, 2024 through a licensed Natural Resources Canada Service Organization should already be documented in the system, continuing to be eligible for the rebate.

Thank you to everyone who has shown interest in making important energy efficiency upgrades to help reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information on the HER+ program, please visit: enbridgegas.com/herplus

Customers can also visit enbridgegas.com/rebates to learn more about available rebates and incentives.

Canada’s Greener Homes Grant has partnered with Enbridge Gas to create the new Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) program. Up to $10,000 in rebates is available to Ontario homeowners to complete retrofits such as home insulation, windows and doors, heat pumps and renewable energy systems. Receive an additional rebate of $600 to offset the cost of your EnerGuide home evaluation. Learn more about the HER+ program and make your home more comfortable, save money, and improve your energy efficiency.

Happy Earth Month! Check out the recording of our virtual Earth Month celebration, featuring the Power.House Hybrid Pilot Project, in the video below. A copy of the presentation slides can be found here.

Learn about the project's goals and achievements from our partners at Alectra Utilities, Enbridge Gas, Natural Resources Canada and Ryerson University. Hear from homeowners participating in this study and find out how these technologies can help us move toward net zero homes. This event was hosted by two Markham youth leaders in sustainability.

Event features:

• Opening remarks by Mr. Paul Chiang and Mayor Frank Scarpitti
• Introduction to the Power.House Hybrid Pilot Project
• Question & Answer period with panel of experts and participants

Read the answers to the live questions!

To stay up to date on the City of Markham's sustainability projects, visit markham.ca/sustainability.

Click here to read the full article by the Globe and Mail.

Net zero homes are expected to surge over the coming decade. Minto Communities GTA is ahead of the curve after the second phase of its Union Village project sold out in record time.

Click here to read the full article by the Markham Economist & Sun.

Learn more about the POWER.House Hybrid Pilot Project in Markham. This unique pilot study looks at how to optimize deep retrofits to minimize greenhouse gas emissions.

Click here to read the full article by the Markham Economist & Sun.

A few years ago I had an energy audit and replaced my home air conditioner and furnace with more energy efficient models. There were rebates for getting more efficient heating and cooling systems and further ongoing savings were made to gas and electricity bills by more efficient electricity and gas use. The initial cost of the audit, over $600, was almost totally reimbursed.

-Stuart

Find out more about the Canada Greener Homes Grant, a new program that provides homeowners with up to $5,600 in energy upgrades.

Click here to read the full article by Global News.

Find out more about the pros and cons of the new rebate program and useful tips for homeowners.

Click here to read the full article by CBC News.