Canada has signed on to the global Net Zero by 2050 challenge. Over 120 countries are taking part in the effort to reduce all carbon emissions to a point where any remaining emissions are offset by the amount of carbon removed from the environment. This is an important but ambitious pledge that calls on companies and governments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by changing processes and equipment. There is also room for homeowners looking to reduce their carbon footprint, while potentially saving money as well.
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As part of Canada’s 2050 pledge, an emissions reduction program that seeks to reduce carbon emissions by 40-45% by 2030 has been launched. The 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan is targeting single-family homes, apartment developments, as well as small and medium-sized businesses for carbon emission reduction. The larger 2050 plan comes with over $9 billion in incentives and investments and looks at a wide range of emission reduction strategies, including cleaner fuels, carbon pricing and similar large initiatives. But there are ways for homeowners to take advantage of the program when building or retrofitting a home.
Canada Greener Homes Loan and Grant Program
Within the 2030 Plan, there is a program called the Canada Greener Homes Loan and grant program. The program provides interest-free loans up to $40,000 and grants of up to $5,000 for taking steps to make homes more energy efficient. The money can be used to retrofit a home through improved air sealing of windows and doors, renewable energy resources, resiliency measures (e.g., waterproofing or moisture membranes), and space or water heating upgrades. Heating and Cooling alternatives could be the best route to go for some homeowners looking to make a large impact on emission reductions.
The system that heats and cools your home is potentially the largest single part of your carbon footprint. Using a furnace that uses fuel oil, gas or even electricity is a large source of emissions either direct or indirect. Air conditioning, traditionally powered with electricity, is similar to heating.
Reducing a home’s carbon footprint through a heating and cooling system upgrade has a number of achievements. For the biggest change with the greatest impact, a homeowner should consider a Geoexchange system using a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) or Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP).
Air Source or Ground Source systems do not use any gas or fuel oil and can use less electricity than other HVAC systems. Depending on the Geothermal type in use and seasonal climate where installed, these systems can lead to significantly lower operating costs as well.
Geoexchange heating and cooling
Geoexchange heating and cooling, utilizing a Ground Source system, transfers heat into the ground from a home or business in the summer, and pulls that energy back into the building in the winter to reduce heating costs. Ground source systems use piping buried underground, or in a nearby pond or lake to make the exchange. This process does not require fuel oil or natural gas, and depending on conditions uses less electricity than traditional systems.
Any system of this sort could qualify for the Canada Greener Homes loan or grant program. Through the application process, homeowners can decide whether to use the loan program (which offers a 10-year interest-free loan) and the grant program (up to $5,000), or both. To be eligible the homeowner would first have to have an EnerGuide evaluation conducted. The process starts with having the home evaluated for its current level of energy efficiency.
One of the better aspects of this particular program, is the availability of at least some of the funds before the project is completed, allowing the homeowner to pay for materials and work directly with the loan or grant proceeds. Regardless of the procedure, giving incentives to homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint through home improvement measures can give Canada a large push towards meeting the 2030 emission reduction goals as well as the Net Zero by 2050 global pledge.
We can Help you get closer to obtaining Net Zero
We can help you get closer to obtaining Net Zero status and apply for incentive programs too. Envirotech Geothermal proudly serves the Lakeland, Calgary, and Edmonton, Alberta regions including Canmore and Rockyview helping homeowners and builders to discover the benefits and features of geothermal heating and cooling. Contact us today to learn how you can save up to 70% on your heating and cooling bills by utilizing geothermal heating and cooling in your home. Call us at 780.220.0842 or request a Geothermal Consultation for more information.
