Home Energy Retrofits

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Save money Improve home comfort Protect the planet
Lower your electricity and gas bills by investing in energy upgradesCool and heat spaces efficiently by using the right insulation
Reduce your carbon footprint by consuming less energy


Now Available: HERO Highlights!

If you missed out on our last Home Efficiency Retrofit Orientation (HERO) workshop, you can now view the highlights in our news feed, or by visiting the Markham's YouTube page.


What is a Home Energy Retrofit?

Home energy retrofits is a process to upgrade your home's energy-consuming systems. It may involve improving light fixtures, sealing windows and doors, adding insulation, and more.

The Road to a Net Zero Markham Begins With You

Cover page of the City of Markham's Municipal Energy Plan - Getting to ZeroThe City of Markham's Municipal Energy Plan - Getting to Zero provides a roadmap to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Markham is committed to improving energy efficiency, creating renewable energy supply, and reducing emissions.

Homes and buildings are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Markham today, accounting for 49% of total emissions. Within the residential sector, emissions are mainly a direct result of fuel consumption for space and water heating.

Home energy retrofits create more sustainable homes through improvements to the building shell and energy system. These upgrades can lower your heating and energy bills, improve home comfort and reduce emissions.


How it Works

Energy advisor examines window

The EnerGuide home evaluation uses a nationally recognized rating system to assess the energy performance of your home.

A certified energy advisor will examine your home's insulation, heating and cooling systems and overall energy use to identify sources of heat loss and other energy savings. After your audit, you will receive a set of recommended changes that have the best energy retrofit impact.

A number of grants and financing options are available to help cover the costs of upgrades.

Homeowners will likely need to be patient because wait times may seem long. However, it is best to get your application in to start the process.

For more information on rebates and incentives, please see our FAQs.


Get Started Today!

On this page, you will find a variety of resources to help you complete a home energy retrofit.

Register and book your pre-retrofit evaluation today.

In order to register, you will be asked to provide your:

  • Name
  • Phone number
  • Email
  • Type of house
  • Address of your primary residence
  • Proof of ownership with your property tax bill number (this number can be found on your municipal property documents)
  • Proof of residence through either a drivers licence or government issued ID (with address)

We also invite you to share your ideas, stories and questions with the community in the space below.

Save money Improve home comfort Protect the planet
Lower your electricity and gas bills by investing in energy upgradesCool and heat spaces efficiently by using the right insulation
Reduce your carbon footprint by consuming less energy


Now Available: HERO Highlights!

If you missed out on our last Home Efficiency Retrofit Orientation (HERO) workshop, you can now view the highlights in our news feed, or by visiting the Markham's YouTube page.


What is a Home Energy Retrofit?

Home energy retrofits is a process to upgrade your home's energy-consuming systems. It may involve improving light fixtures, sealing windows and doors, adding insulation, and more.

The Road to a Net Zero Markham Begins With You

Cover page of the City of Markham's Municipal Energy Plan - Getting to ZeroThe City of Markham's Municipal Energy Plan - Getting to Zero provides a roadmap to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Markham is committed to improving energy efficiency, creating renewable energy supply, and reducing emissions.

Homes and buildings are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Markham today, accounting for 49% of total emissions. Within the residential sector, emissions are mainly a direct result of fuel consumption for space and water heating.

Home energy retrofits create more sustainable homes through improvements to the building shell and energy system. These upgrades can lower your heating and energy bills, improve home comfort and reduce emissions.


How it Works

Energy advisor examines window

The EnerGuide home evaluation uses a nationally recognized rating system to assess the energy performance of your home.

A certified energy advisor will examine your home's insulation, heating and cooling systems and overall energy use to identify sources of heat loss and other energy savings. After your audit, you will receive a set of recommended changes that have the best energy retrofit impact.

A number of grants and financing options are available to help cover the costs of upgrades.

Homeowners will likely need to be patient because wait times may seem long. However, it is best to get your application in to start the process.

For more information on rebates and incentives, please see our FAQs.


Get Started Today!

On this page, you will find a variety of resources to help you complete a home energy retrofit.

Register and book your pre-retrofit evaluation today.

In order to register, you will be asked to provide your:

  • Name
  • Phone number
  • Email
  • Type of house
  • Address of your primary residence
  • Proof of ownership with your property tax bill number (this number can be found on your municipal property documents)
  • Proof of residence through either a drivers licence or government issued ID (with address)

We also invite you to share your ideas, stories and questions with the community in the space below.

  • HERO Highlights Video

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    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.

  • Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) Program Update

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    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.

  • New Year, Bigger Rebates!

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    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.

  • Markham Celebrates Earth Month Recording

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    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.

  • Energy efficient homes getting easier to build

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

  • Minto, Metropia development pushes net zero homes into the main stream and sales through the roof in Markham

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    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.

  • Building a POWER.House grid: 10 Markham households hook up to clean energy pilot

    Share Building a POWER.House grid: 10 Markham households hook up to clean energy pilot on Facebook Share Building a POWER.House grid: 10 Markham households hook up to clean energy pilot on Twitter Share Building a POWER.House grid: 10 Markham households hook up to clean energy pilot on Linkedin Email Building a POWER.House grid: 10 Markham households hook up to clean energy pilot link

    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.

  • Resident Testimonial: Energy Efficient Furnace

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    Image of an energy efficient furnace

    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

  • Here's what you need to know about Canada's new home retrofit program

    Share Here's what you need to know about Canada's new home retrofit program on Facebook Share Here's what you need to know about Canada's new home retrofit program on Twitter Share Here's what you need to know about Canada's new home retrofit program on Linkedin Email Here's what you need to know about Canada's new home retrofit program link

    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.

  • How to make the most of that new, federal, 'green' home retrofit grant

    Share How to make the most of that new, federal, 'green' home retrofit grant on Facebook Share How to make the most of that new, federal, 'green' home retrofit grant on Twitter Share How to make the most of that new, federal, 'green' home retrofit grant on Linkedin Email How to make the most of that new, federal, 'green' home retrofit grant link

    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.

Page last updated: 03 Oct 2024, 06:27 PM