FAQs
- Sealing with caulking or spray foam
- Adding insulation
- Upgrading lighting systems
- Replacing window glazing, windows, and or doors
- Updating inefficient heating and cooling systems
- Installing low-flow faucets with sensors and automatic shutoffs
- Installing sub-metering
- Significantly reconfiguring the interior
- Replacing the rood
- Adding or rearranging windows for increased daylight
- Replacing the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system with a renewable technology like an air-source or ground-source heat pump.
- 20% in water efficiency,
- 35% in energy efficiency, and
- up to 60% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
- An EnerGuide rating and label
- A Homeowner Information Sheet
- A Renovation Upgrade Report
What is a Home Energy Retrofit?
A Home Energy Retrofit is a process to upgrade your home’s energy consuming systems.
Think of your home as a system: all elements of your house – the building envelope, mechanical systems, indoor and outdoor environment and even the occupants interact. A change in one area can affect the others. For example, in sealing up air leaks you may need to make changes to your ventilation.
Source: How can I make my home more energy-efficient? (External link)
Are there different types of Home Energy Retrofits?
There are three (3) types of Home Energy Retrofits: Minor, Major, and Deep.
Minor retrofits target “low-hanging fruit” which are modifications that are low-cost, easy to implement, and offer good value for the money and effort invested. Retrofits could include:
Major retrofits require a more holistic approach, with retrofits requiring some planning and capital investment. Retrofits may also be slightly disruptive to home occupants. Retrofits could include:
With a deep retrofit, you undertake an extensive overhaul of your home’s systems that can save up to 60% in energy costs. Deep retrofits also require some planning and capital investment and may also be disruptive to home occupants. Retrofits may include:
Source: Retrofitting (canada.ca) (External link)
Windsor’s Residential Deep Energy Efficiency Retrofit Program is focusing on deep retrofits that per retrofit achieve average improvements of:
How do I apply for Windsor’s Residential Deep Energy Efficiency Retrofit Program?
The Residential Deep Energy Efficiency Retrofit Program is not currently open for applications.
The program is under development and the program working team is currently engaging with homeowners and contractors to understand barriers to participation and develop a framework for the program.
Program progress can be followed using the Project Timeline and the document library.
I’m ready to renovate my home now? What resources are available?
Natural Resources Canada has a number of online resources available to assist homeowners with planning renovations or energy efficient upgrades. Energy efficiency for homes (External link)
Natural Resources Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency offers a Keeping the Heat In (External link) guide to help educate the public on basic principles of building science and provide guidance in home retrofit projects.
Windsor residents are eligible for a number of programs with rebates and incentives. Below is a sample of existing programs.
| Provider | Program Name | Details | EnerGuide Evaluation Required? | Income Based | Rebate/ Incentive |
| Government of Canada | Canada Greener Homes Grant (External link) | Targeting energy efficiency upgrades and reduced GHG emissions Apply through Enbridge’s HER+ program. | Yes (Rebate available if recommended retrofit completed) | No | Up to $5,600 available for primary residence. |
| Government of Canada | Canada Greener Homes Loan (External link) | Targeting energy efficiency upgrades and reduced GHG emissions Must apply for Canada Greener Homes Grant first | Yes | No | 10-year Interest free loan between $5,000 and $40,000 |
| Enbridge Gas Inc. | Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) (External link) | Targeting energy efficiency upgrades Home Energy Assessment with a Registered Energy Advisor required. | Yes (Rebate available if recommended retrofit completed) | No | Up to $10,000 available |
| Enbridge Gas Inc. | Home Retrofits (External link) | Targeting energy efficiency upgrades | Yes (Rebate available if 2 qualifying upgrades completed) | No | Up to $5,000 |
| Enbridge Gas Inc. | Home Winterproofing (External link) | Targeting insulation, sealing air leaks, and smart thermostats. | No | Yes | Free insulation, draft proofing, and a smart thermostat |
| Enbridge Gas Inc. | Thermostat Rebate (External link) | Targeting Smart Thermostats | No | No | Up to $75 Enbridge Gas customers must register for and use discount code prior to an online or in store purchase at Home Depot. |
| Save on Energy | Energy Affordability Program (External link) | Targeting energy savings. | Yes | Yes | Free energy assessment to those who qualify and free energy savings kits. |
If you notice information that is out of date, please notify us at emp@citywindsor.ca.
Will my Energy Efficiency Retrofit require a Building Permit?
Depending on your retrofit, you may require a building permit.
In general, retrofits resulting in changes to the loading of your home (i.e. solar installations and some insulation); exterior masonry (i.e. partial demolition); HVAC fuel source (i.e. natural gas to electric); ductwork or plumbing systems may require a building permit. It is recommended that homeowners contact the Building Department using 311 or emailing buildingdept@citywindsor.ca prior to starting retrofits.
Website: Building Permits
Many Programs require an EnerGuide Home Evaluation. What is the EnerGuide Home Evaluation?
Conducting an EnerGuide Home Evaluation (External link) can help you understand your home’s energy use and identify areas for improvement.
The audit is carried out by a registered energy advisor. Your energy advisor will examine the exterior and interior of your home to look for air leaks, indoor air quality, insulation levels, HVAC equipment, and much more.
Once the assessment is complete, you will receive customized recommendations in the form of the following documents:
For more information on how to interpret your results, please visit Natural Resources Canada's webpage on EnerGuide Energy Efficiency Home Evaluations (External Link)
How much does an EnerGuide Home Evaluation (energy audit) cost?
The EnerGuide home evaluation typically costs between $400-600. Homeowners pay up-front for evaluations. However, a number of grants are available to cover the costs of the evaluation.
For example, the Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (External link) program requires the completion of the process (i.e., installation of a recommended upgrade and scheduling a post-retrofit evaluation) in order to receive reimbursement for the pre-retrofit evaluation.
