green-energy-incentives / Green Building & Sustainable Home Renovation Information & Advice

Backyard solar panels
Grants and incentives

The Ontario MicroFIT program

According to Natural Resources Canada, over 20% of the energy consumed in Ontario is used to run homes. Of that 20% chunk, 80% is used for space and water heating alone. That means that making the right energy choices for your home has a significant effect on not only your personal finances but also our environment. Ch...

Ontario climate change action plan
Grants and incentives

Ontario announces ambitious climate change action plan to reduce emissions

Learn how the Ontario Climate Change Action Plan can benefit you directly.  In June 2016, the Ontario government adopted a new Climate Change Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation, industry and building sectors. This will be backed by an investment of $ 1.9 billion annually over the nex...

Canada Greener Homes Grant 2022 - How to apply fiberglass attic insulation
Grants and incentives

Canada Greener Homes Grant 2022 - the "how to apply" guide - step by step

How and why to claim the Canada greener homes grant Buildings, including homes, account for 18% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. With the new greener homes grant the Government wants to encourage Canadians to make homes more energy-efficient so they can be more comfortable and more affordable to run, while also su...

Green building tax credits & grants 2023
Grants and incentives

Green building tax credits & grants 2023

Important to note: some programs may be discontinued, some new ones may be out there. Please help us keep this page updated if any of these don't work out or you know of others out there and drop a note in the comments at the bottom. According to the EnerQuality Green Building survey in October 2009, 40% of Ontario hom...

Lifestyle and environment

Resources and getting started

Choosing between buying, building or renting  1. Building a new home. Building a sustainable and energy efficient house is not necessarily more expensive than building a house simply to meet provincial building codes. Many new home starts have achieved far superior performance while still coming in the same or lower in...

How to plan and budget for home renovations and new builds
Concept and design

Important tips for a successful build or renovation

1. Make a realistic budget and schedule: This is, without a doubt, the starting point to a successful build - don’t underestimate the time and money it will take to complete a build or renovation. Even professional contractors tend to underestimate the costs and duration of a project. Get advice from multiple professio...

Free Energy Audits, Net Zero Home Grants & Interest Free Home Renovation Loans
Grants and incentives

0% loans & Grants for Green Home Renovations & Construction - A Boost for Canadians in 2020

Green Home Incentives: Net Zero Home Grants & Zero Interest Home Renovation Loans for 2020 Breaking News: New Canada Greener Homes Grant Scheme 2021 announced - see here for how to apply and eligibility requirements or see here for the $40 000 interest free home renovation loan scheme in Canada Whatever the politic...

the installation of a LucidPipe power generator via Lucid Energy
Micro-hydroelectric

Portland, Oregon will Soon Generate Hydroelectric Power in Water Pipes Under City Streets.

Hydroelectric power generation is definitely renewable but not always 'green' when you consider all the side effects, especially when it comes to large hydroelectric dams. In the quest to find alternative power sources to replace fossil fuels, the energy that can be harnessed from moving water is leading to some impres...

Concept and design

How to stay on budget when building a home

The following is an interview with Patrick Ranger, General Manager at Belvedair, a construction company specializing in the design and construction of green homes. Patrick is trained in business administration and information management, and is an experienced green building project manager. JP – Patrick, please tell us...

The Zoetrope DIY Vertical Wind Turbine Design
Wind power

The Zoetrope: Open Source DIY Vertical Wind Turbine Design

The Zoetrope is a vertical-axis wind turbine made from common materials. Many of the materials can be found at your local hardware store and the rest can purchased online or made at home, for the truly industrious amongst us.  The Zoetrope was conceived when renewable energy advocate, Mike Marohn commissioned Applied S...

Electric vehicle charging station
Commuting

Electric Vehicles getting help from the provinces

There is no question that the best way to lower emissions as we scurry about a city is to travel by foot, bike or public transportation, yet it’s unlikely we will see the end of the personal vehicle anytime soon. Transit would need to become much more extensive and gas much more costly for us to see any significant red...