Energy Efficient Retrofits

A drafty home can be unpleasant for you, your wallet, and the planet. The average house has enough home air leaks to add up to a 2-square-foot hole. That’s like leaving a medium-sized window wide open 24 hours a day. Upgrading the building envelope – through improved doors and windows – can help you save big on energy and improve your comfort. In the short term, you can apply or replace weatherstripping or caulking around windows and doors and use foam gaskets to seal around plugs and light switches in exterior walls.

Energy-efficient light bulbs, such as LEDs, consume 80 per cent less electricity than conventional varieties. LED bulbs last up to 3.5 times longer than other bulbs. They're also dimmable, safe to use outdoors and don't emit heat, so they can reduce your home's overall cooling costs.

Change your furnace or air conditioner filter regularly (I.e., quarterly). A dirty filter makes your HVAC system work harder. Replacing your filter will extend the life of your HVAC equipment and could save up to 15% on utility costs.

Space heating in residential buildings contributes to 11 per cent of Regina’s overall energy use. Save on your heating bill by keeping your home’s thermostat at or below a comfortable room temperature. Above 20°C, each additional degree increases your heating bill by seven per cent. Save up to 4 per cent more by adding a programmable thermostat and setting the temperature at least 3°C lower for 8 hours a day.

Some simple, low-tech steps people can start using today include:

•  Opening your curtains during winter to let the sun in and close them in summer to keep the heat out.
• Adding an outdoor clothesline lets you avoid using your dryer in good weather by hanging your garments on the line to dry.
• Using the air-dry setting on your dishwasher, you can save between 15 to 50% of the energy consumed by your dishwasher.

Transportation, including personal and commercial vehicles, makes up 26 per cent of energy use in Regina. Park your car and prioritize walking, cycling, and public transit. You’ll cut your fuel bills and your carbon emissions while helping to create a more connected community!

Attics can account for 25 per cent of a home’s heat loss while basements can account for 20. Adding insulation can make your home more comfortable and save you money (up to 20% on energy bills with the proper amount of attic insulation). To further prevent heat loss, seal gaps and cracks that lead to the attic. Areas to look for include wires, recessed lighting, and the attic hatch itself.

Older appliances use a lot more energy than their modern replacements. Upgrading old fridges, washers and dryers to newer, energy-efficient models, such as ENERGY STAR®-certified appliances, can conserve energy and save as much as 30% on that part of your electricity bill.

Applications were accepted online or in-person at City Hall from June 20 to 30, 2022.

• Successful participants were notified after July 11, 2022
• Funding was limited to 80 applicants

Applicants were required to provide the following information:

• Canada Greener Homes Grant Applicant ID
• Property Tax Account Number (find through Property Search)
• Name and contact information
• Address attached to the Applicant ID
• Mailing address, if different

The 2022 Residential Retrofit Rebate program is closed to new applicants. The Canada Greener Homes Grant is available.

Terms & Conditions

• Step 1: Complete your pre-retrofit EnerGuide home energy evaluation.
  • This is required for both the Canada Greener Homes Grant program and Residential Retrofit Rebate Program.
  • Within the first six months of being accepted into the Retrofit Rebate Program, participants must submit their pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation documents to maintain eligibility.
• Step 2: Complete your home retrofits.
  • You will need to complete at least one retrofit that is both eligible and recommended in the pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation.
  • You must complete a post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation and submit documentation to the City of Regina no later than November 15, 2023.
• Step 3: Submit Canada Greener Homes Grant funding documents to the City of Regina for verification no later than November 15, 2023. 
  • Rebates will match the funding received from the Canada Greener Homes Grant up to $5,000.

Do I have to sign up for the federal government’s Greener Homes Grant Program?
Yes, homeowners wishing to be eligible for the City of Regina Residential Retrofit Rebate Program will need to be signed up with the Canada Greener Homes Grant.

How much will the rebate be under the City program?
Successful applicants will be eligible to receive matching funds up to $5,000 for all retrofits projects approved under the Greener Homes Grant Program.

When will a homeowner receive their rebate?
Rebates will be distributed once successful applicants have received their Greener Homes Grant from the federal government.

How many retrofit projects will the funding support?
Based on funding availability, it is anticipated up to 80 applicants may receive a matching rebate.

How long will the program run?
Those selected through the draw will have one year to complete their eligible retrofits and apply for their rebate.

Can one person apply for multiple properties?
Funding is intended for primary residences. The City’s rebate program is intended to align with the federal government’s Greener Homes Grant Program, which requires eligible homeowners to provide proof of ownership and demonstrate the property is their primary residence.

What work is not eligible with the rebate program?
Retrofits must be eligible under the federal government’s Greener Homes Grant Program. For example, natural gas furnaces or water heaters are not covered. Other specific eligibility criteria can be found on the Greener Homes Grant Program website. The Saskatchewan government does offer a Home Renovation Tax Credit that may cover some of the ineligible expenses.

How many homes need to be retrofitted in Regina?
As of 2022, approximately 61,000 residential homes will require retrofits for Regina to reach its goal of becoming 100 per cent renewable and net-zero by 2050.

If I have questions who do I contact?
Email RenewableRegina@regina.ca

What are the key deadlines for the Residential Retrofit Rebate Program?

• Initial Application deadline is June 30, 2022 at 12:01 p.m.
• Deadline to submit pre-retrofit EnerGuide home evaluation is December 31, 2022
• Final deadline to complete work and submit confirmation of funding from the Canada Greener Homes Program is July 31, 2023.

How does this program relate to Regina’s goal of becoming renewable?
Regina’s Energy & Sustainability Framework identifies Building Retrofits as one of the seven Big Moves that will enable Regina to achieve its goal of being a renewable, net-zero city by 2050. The Residential Retrofit Rebate Program also encourages action related to two other Big Moves – Clean Heating and Renewable Energy Generation.

Where can I get involved in Renewable Regina initiatives?
Sign up or follow the Renewable Regina 2050 project on Be Heard Regina to stay up to date and be involved in future community activities.