SaskEnergy offering new incentives on construction of energy-efficient homes

SaskEnergy is offering incentives on the construction of new, energy-efficient homes.

On Friday, the Crown corporation announced its Homes Beyond Code Program. The program includes new rebate will make up to $9,000 available for new homes built to energy codes above Tier 2 standards.

The requirements for the incentives from SaskEnergy are currently higher than what the National Building Code of Canada from 2020 requires.

The move will help further the province’s goal to make all new home built by 2025 up to Tier 3 standards at minimum. Those standards mean the homes are 20 per cent more energy efficient than homes built to Tier 2 or Tier 1 standards.

Energy-efficient items implemented into the design of home can include adding insulation, improving seals and installing a tankless water heater, just to name a few.

SaskEnergy has earmarked $800,000 for the program and opened its eligibility to both homeowners and builders. Builders are eligible for an $800 rebate for every building they complete that is approved.

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“We hope for 150 to 200 homes in this first year,” said James Gates, director of customer solutions with SaskEnergy.

“Like the first year in any program, we’ll learn a lot. It’s entirely possible we will surpass that number.”

He suggested there is a lot of demand for incentives to reward those who want to build homes in a more environmentally friendly and efficient way.

“Tier 3 is the standard next year, so there’s an opportunity for builders to participate now and get ahead of that change this coming next year,” Gates said.

“I do anticipate there is a demand in terms of builders going through a change right now, and this is an opportunity to learn in advance of a future code change.”

Gates doesn’t think it will be hard for homebuilders to adjust to the Tier 3 standards.

“Tier 3, I think, is within reach for builders right now,” Gates stated. “Builders already build very good homes, and they’re building to that Tier 2 level right now.”

In order to qualify for a rebate, the home must be on a permanent foundation within Saskatchewan and it has to be connected to SaskEnergy’s natural gas system and use natural gas for heating.

Homes will also be subject to guidance from energy advisors from a registered service organization or a member of the Canadian Association of Consulting Energy Advisors.