efficiency NOVA SCOTIA - energy efficiency services
BUILDINGEXPERT IS ACCREDITED TO PROVIDE HOME ENERGY ASSESSMENTS FOR EFFICIENCY NOVA SCOTIA. SEE BELOW FOR AVAILABLE PROGRAMS.
HOME ENERGY ASSESMENT PROGRAM (HEA)
For $199, a Home Energy Advisor will identify where your home is losing heat, what you can do to improve it and what rebates and interest-free financing are available. All Nova Scotia homeowners, regardless of income level or heating type, can receive up to $5,000 in rebates on qualifying upgrades.
MODERATE INCOME REBATE PROGRAM (MIR)
You may be eligible for a free HEA if you’re currently heating your home with a non-electric fuel source and your household income qualifies as median or below, after taxes. Through this program they can receive up to $10,000 in additional rebates for qualifying upgrades, along with the previously specified Home Energy Assessment Program rebates ($5,000), totaling a potential of up to $15,000.
OIL TO HEAT AFFORDABILITY PROGRAM (OHPA)
The Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) Program aims to help low- to middle-income households switch from oil heating systems to more energy-efficient heat pumps.The MIR and HEA rebates may also be combined with the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) rebates described later in this guide, totaling a potential of up to $30,000.
Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) Nova Scotia: Homeowners program
The Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) Program in Nova Scotia helps eligible low-to-median-income homeowners transition from oil heating to a more efficient heat pump system.
Through this program, participants can receive an advance payment of up to $10,000 to cover the purchase and installation of a heat pump, as well as necessary upgrades such as electrical work or the safe removal of an oil tank.
The program is administered in Nova Scotia by Efficiency Nova Scotia.
Program Details
Funding: Up to $10,000 in upfront financial support.
What it Covers:
Purchase and installation of a cold climate air-source heat pump system.
Required electrical or mechanical upgrades.
A backup electric heating system.
Safe removal of an oil tank.
Eligibility
To qualify for the program, you must meet the following criteria:
Be the primary resident and owner of your home.
Your home must currently be heated with oil.
Your household after-tax income must be at or below the provincial median income for your household size.
Be able to provide proof of recent oil heating use (such as oil bills).
MLI Select mortgage loan insurance
MLI Select is a multi-unit mortgage loan insurance product that prioritizes affordability, accessibility, and environmental friendliness. It operates on a point system, providing insurance incentives that are determined by affordability, energy conservation, and accessibility. These incentives apply to both newly constructed and existing properties. The more dedication you show towards social and environmental results, the greater the rewards.
Only professionals such as engineers, architects, Certified Engineering Technicians (CET), or Certified Energy Managers (CEM) are qualified to create an energy model that complies with the requirements.
BLOWER DOOR TEST
The blower door test is a diagnostic tool used by our energy advisors to measure a home’s airtightness. During this test, a powerful fan is fitted into an exterior doorframe and temporarily seals all other openings, such as windows and vents. The fan then either depressurizes or pressurizes the house, causing air to flow through any gaps, cracks, or openings. The primary goal of this test is to detect air leaks, which helps reduce energy consumption and enhance home comfort. Additionally, the blower door test provides data on air changes per hour (ACH) and the equivalent leakage surface (ELS), allowing comparison with other homes built during the same era.
