Having an energy audit is one way to put money to good use in lean times.
Now is the time to have an energy audit that will help to keep heat in and to invest in the home. The Elora Centre for Environmental Excellence is an authorized provider of the ecoenergy retrofit – homes program of Natural Resources Canada.
It has certified energy advisors based across southwestern Ontario from the Bruce Peninsula in the north to Burlington in the south; from Windsor in the west to Caledon in the east.
An auditor will walk people through their houses and show where upgrades to a home will have significant impacts on energy efficiency.
Not only that, with grants, homeowners can earn up to $10,000. Upgrading insulation, windows, doors, heating and hot water system, even toilets, all means money back.
Having an energy audit is a comprehensive whole-house assessment and the advantage of booking an audit with the ECEE is it provides independent, third-party advice. Its primary focus is to help homeowners conserve energy and save money in the process.
Since its inception as an environmental non-profit organization in 1993, the Elora centre has audited over 20,000 homes, translating into a reduction of 8,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases each year.
In 2008 alone, it helped customers obtain over $2.5-million in government grants.
There is more grant money to be earned by homeowners: In the Jan. 27 federal budget, the government of Canada announced an additional $300-million into the ecoenergy retrofit homes program.
A customer service representative at the Elora Centre will be happy to answer questions and to book an audit.
Call 1-866-865-7337 or visit www.thereep.ca.