HomeWarming

Gather documents: 1. Proof of income (see qualifying proof of income documents) 2. Proof of home ownership (see qualifying proof of home ownership documents)

Register your utility account: Utility Account Registration - Submit your application

If your application is accepted, a Registered Energy Advisor will visit to conduct a free home energy assessment and make recommendations to Efficiency Nova Scotia.

If Efficiency Nova Scotia approves the recommendations, we'll reach out to you and schedule the work. Once the upgrades are complete, we'll return to conduct a final assessment.

The approximate waiting period to hear about your application status is 4 to 6 weeks. Please note, that with the popularity of this program, we're experiencing high volumes of calls, emails and applications. There are also delays due to contractor and material availability. We're working hard to get as many people through the programs as quickly as possible.

The HomeWarming program uses retrofit and upgrade materials (insulation, draft-proofing, etc.) that were successfully tested for compliance with the National Building Code of Canada and which meet or exceed standards of performance. Safety for participants is a top priority for us. Licensed, professionally-trained installers use safe, long-lasting materials that meet or exceed the National Building Code of Canada. Insurance providers determine what products they insure. If participants have concerns about how upgrades might affect their home insurance policy, we recommend they contact their insurance provider.

Thousands of upgrades using spray foam insulation are performed safely and securely across Canada every year. We use products that were successfully tested for compliance with the National Building Code of Canada and which meet or exceed standards of performance. Spray foam (and any required thermal barrier) is a very effective product that helps make your home more energy efficient — saving you money. It’s especially effective in damp environments. The HomeWarming program uses retrofit and upgrade materials (insulation, draft-proofing, etc.) that were successfully tested for compliance with the National Building Code of Canada. Our products are installed by professionally trained technicians. If participants have concerns about how upgrades might affect their home insurance policy, we recommend they contact their insurance provider.

Spray polyurethane foam, commonly referred to as just spray foam, needs time to set and cure after being applied. During the spraying and setting period, the product releases chemicals into the air that could be harmful if breathed. The chemicals leave the home naturally, but professional installers will advise that you and your pets vacate the home for at least 24 hours to be safe. Afterward, some people may notice that odours persist for a short time, which is natural, should not be harmful and should subside. If you notice a smell, it's always best to discuss with the installer. The health risks of spray foam are all related to its application, which is why only professionals with appropriate personal protective equipment should be present for its installation and in the home for the first 24 hours after installation. Spray foam must be installed at a rate that allows the product to properly cure and release any harmful chemicals immediately. The home should be well-ventilated during that period to help speed up this process. You don't need to worry about spray foam impacting your health as long as you and the installer follow these well-defined industry protocols.

HomeWarming is offered by Efficiency Nova Scotia as part of a broad, province-wide initiative to provide energy efficient upgrades to income-qualified homeowners. HomeWarming is proudly sponsored by the Province of Nova Scotia. The Province is committed to helping the more than 22,000 low-income homeowners lower their energy bills through this investment. Over 16,000 households have benefited through HomeWarming and previous low-income programs since 2007, when government began funding them through various initiatives.

If we discover that upgrades like draft-proofing and insulation will substantially help substantially reduce your heating and power bills as well as make you feel more comfortable at home, we'll install the upgrades at no cost to you.

Every home gets recommendations based on a comprehensive energy audit. We look for the best combination of energy-saving upgrades. And since every house is unique, this combination may look different from one house to another. For example, an improved heating system may not be a good recommendation if a house has very poor insulation and requires draft-proofing; there's no need to spend your hard-earned money heating the backyard, so we focus on these improvements first.

No. As long as your business occupies less than 50% of the building area and you're still under the income eligibility levels, you can apply to HomeWarming. If you're not sure, feel free to call us.

No. We'll manage the sub-contractors for you. We work with experienced, safe, and whenever possible, local companies who know the energy efficiency industry.

You're not required to move ahead with any upgrades we recommend. If possible, we'll work with you to explore changes to the suggested plan, within the confines of the program and our energy efficiency analysis.

Most mobile homes do qualify! If you're not sure, you can call us.

Not at this time. We recognize that many Nova Scotians living on a lower income are renters. However, rental situations are complex. For example, we want to make sure that savings are passed on to renters. We're exploring rental options and will update the program if possible. In the meantime, you can refer your landlord to the Affordable Multifamily Housing Program. If eligible, as a tenant, you'll enjoy the benefits that come with living in a more energy efficient building.

This is a difficult question to answer, as every house is unique. The age of the home is also an important factor – for example, newer homes tend to be better insulated, while older homes can have limited insulation or no insulation at all. That’s why it's a challenge to give an average amount you'll save after participating in HomeWarming. However, many homes see their EnerGuide ratings improve substantially and many homes have become 30% more energy efficient – or even higher. Many report saving on their bills and say they feel warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

When you apply, we'll ask you to confirm that you're not planning to sell your house for at least 12 months. If you do sell your house within 12 months, your participation in HomeWarming will be cancelled.

These figures are adjusted each year and based on Statistics Canada’s low-income qualification figures. While we acknowledge that these don't always encompass the full range of situations that people find themselves in, we need to use consistent eligibility criteria.

We encourage you to look at the programs offered by Efficiency Nova Scotia. Some municipalities also offer low-cost financing for energy efficiency and cleaner energy upgrades. And Nova Scotia Power offers a financing program for heat pumps. You might also want to check out the Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP). It helps with the cost of home heating for low-income Nova Scotians who pay for their own heat. Rebates range from $100 to $200.

After your application is accepted, the process is easy: Home Energy Assessment: A Registered Energy Advisor will evaluate your home and determine the upgrades needed to make your home substantially more energy efficient and comfortable. Home Upgrades: Then, they'll call you to set up appointments to make the upgrades approved for your home (please note: some homes may not be suitable for upgrades). Final Assessment: When all the upgrades have been completed, they'll come back and perform a final assessment of the improvements made to your home.

We'll take care of everything for you. All you have to do is be home for the evaluations and while the work is being done.

HomeWarming is targeted at homeowners in Nova Scotia who are living on a low income. If you qualify and we believe there are things we can do to help, we work with you to determine the best energy efficiency upgrades for your home – and we have them installed at no cost to you. If you qualify for HomeWarming, you may also qualify for other programs. We encourage you to look at programs offered by Efficiency Nova Scotia and Housing Nova Scotia, for example. Some municipalities also offer low-cost financing for energy efficiency and cleaner energy upgrades.

Yes. HomeWarming is built on previous low-income energy efficiency programs run by Efficiency Nova Scotia. From 2006 to 2014, over 7,000 homes received energy efficiency upgrades. The program known as HomeWarming started under that name in late 2014. Over 16,000 low-income Nova Scotians have now had energy efficiency upgrades to their homes since 2007, when government began funding them through various programs.

Use a recent Notice of Assessment from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for all members of your household over the age of 18. You can request a copy from the CRA at 1-800-959-8281. Please note: T1s and T4s will not be accepted.

After-tax income is calculated as follows: take your Net Income (line 23600) and subtract the Total Taxes Payable (line 43500). Combine these results for every household member over the age of 18.

You can use a property tax assessment notice, property tax bill, or bill of sale. Please note: this must include the homeowner’s full name and civic address.

Yes, you can. Not all homes will receive all of the upgrades that are available in the HomeWarming program or identified in the Home Energy Assessment recommendations. Sometimes the energy savings that are calculated from the proposed upgrades are not enough to have an impact on energy bills. When this is the case, we aren’t always able to go ahead with all the upgrades available in the program. If this happens, you’re able to appeal the decision by contacting appeals@efficiencyns.ca.