MANDATORY ENERGY AUDITS
Ontario passed a law last week making an energy audit mandatory when selling a home. Homeowners can get off the hook only if potential buyers waive the right to an energy audit in writing. The new rules will be phased in slowly, the government says.
Fortunately for homeowners, Ontario is matching the enhanced rebates announced by the federal government under its EcoEnergy Retrofit program. This means an extra $173 million will go into Ontario's home energy savings plan in the next two years. Rebates to install insulation in ceilings, foundations, basements and crawl spaces, or upgrade windows and doors, will increase by 25 per cent or more. If you want to put in a solar domestic hot-water system, you'll get $1,250 back from Ontario, up from the previous $500.
There's also a $150 rebate on a home energy audit, which costs $300 on average. You have 18 months to do energy-saving repairs, after which you must get another done to qualify for rebates.
You can check out Ontario's Green Energy Act and a 65-page Energy Efficiency Resource and Funding Guide at the ministry's website: www.mei.gov.on.ca.
Posted by Beverley Breslow
on May 27, 2009