Taylor Clark – Local Journalism Initiative
MRC PONTIAC – Whether you’re looking to be more energy efficient, shrink your energy bill, improve your home comfort level, or set your sights on a new home build, various loans and grants can help offset the costs.
While the MRC Pontiac itself doesn’t offer grants or loans, a memorandum of understanding with the Société d’Habitation du Québec allows them to offer the RénoRégion and the Residential Adaption Assistance programs.
RénoRégion offers financial assistance to low-income homeowners or occupiers in rural areas to fix major home defects such as structural, plumbing, or heating issues. Those interested in applying have to wait until early 2025 as the budget allocated for 2023 to 2025 has been maxed due to the high number of eligible pending files.
The Residential Adaption Assistance Program ensures people with permanent disabilities can continue daily routines and reside in their own homes.
For more details on either program, visit: https://mrcpontiac.qc.ca/en/residents/renovation-programs/.
The Government of Quebec also provides financial assistance for eligible projects. In Quebec, the only way to access the Canada Greener Homes Grant is through the Rénoclimat program, which offers grants to improve home energy performance. After May 1, the grant amounts are expected to increase.
If you’re planning on replacing your heating system or water heater, you may qualify for financial assistance under Chauffez vert. A single-family home could see $1,275 in assistance to convert an oil heating system and $850 for propane. For water heaters, a single-family home could receive $250 for swapping out an oil heater and $200 for propane.
Whether you’re an owner or tenant, the Éconologis program offers free individualized advice and minor work to improve the comfort level and energy use of your home. To qualify, the total income of all occupants must be below the eligible income threshold laid out by the program.
If you’re starting from scratch, insist your home be built to Novoclimat standards for $2,000 in financial assistance or $4,000 for first-time home buyers. Along with providing healthier indoor air and efficient heating, it’s estimated a Novoclimat home saves 20% on energy costs compared to others.
Quebec residents can also claim partial tax refunds of the provincial and federal sales tax paid on construction materials, services, and other costs for substantial renovations; 90% or more of the building is removed or replaced. The rebate can reach up to $6,300 for GST and up to $9,975 for QST.
The Canada Greener Homes Loan program offers 10 years of interest-free financing to assist Canadians in making their home more energy-efficient and comfortable. Loans range from $5,000 to $40,000 and are calculated based on the selected retrofits as well as quotes for the work.
Certain private energy companies provide customers with incentives for home improvement projects like replacing heating systems, water heaters, or air exchangers. Reach out to your provider to learn more about which incentives you may qualify for.