Prince Edward Island homeowners will no longer need an energy audit to qualify for grants and loans offered by the Office of Energy Efficiency. Last week, the federal government cut the funding for the ecoEnergy Retrofit program that offered energy audits to homeowners looking to reduce their energy consumption. The average audit costs is $500. “It’s disappointing the federal government doesn’t see the value in continuing this program,” said Energy Minister Richard Brown. “The provincial and federal programs worked well together and were a strong incentive for people to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.” Homeowners were required to have an energy audit of their homes as the first step in qualifying for the energy efficiency loans and grants.  The province is dropping that requirement now that the federal government has cancelled the program. “We’ve learned from previous audits what measures homeowners can take to make their homes more energy efficient, from increasing insulation to low-cost measures like weather stripping and furnace maintenance,” said Brown. “We will continue to promote energy conservation with incentives to homeowners.” More than 4,000 energy audits were conducted. The average homeowners received $2,500 in incentives and were able to reduce their yearly energy bills by $1,200. Close to 800 loans totalling $5 million dollars and 865 grants amounting to $650,000 have been processed. Brown said all provincial incentive programs will continue with no changes. Just the Facts: — Energy Efficiency Grant Program provides a direct subsidy of 15 per cent (max $1,500) to homeowners to implement energy efficiency measures; — Windows and Doors Grant Program: Clients who install windows and/or doors will receive a grant of $40 per eligible window or door installed; — Loan Program: Provides financing (up to $10,000) to complete energy upgrades. Low-income clients are eligible for loan forgiveness for a portion of the loan (50 per cent for less than $15,000 income, 25 per cent for those over $15,000 but less than $35,000)

This is a great program - the best thing we can all do to save energy is to insulate our homes better. You can save up to 40% of your heating bill that way. That might mean $500+ a year tax free.

The barrier has always been the audit that took a lot of time - this is a very smart move - well done guys