There are huge numbers of environmental focused websites. I have listed some of my favourites that apply to most Canadian homeowners and environmentalists:
Green Blog – Technical - Tyler Hamilton
http://tyler.blogware.com/
Green business and services in the GTA
http://www.greenenterprise.net/web/index.php?id=160
http://www.grassrootsstore.com/
Local initiatives:
http://oakvillegreen.sheridanc.on.ca/
http://www.ecosource.ca/
http://torontogreen.ca/
Events, conferences and jobs;
http://www.planetfriendly.net/calendar/
http://workcabin.ca/
Life style:
http://www.simplelivingtv.net/
http://www.zerofootprint.net/
Education:
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/
http://www.faith-commongood.net/gss/
http://www.conservationontario.ca/
Technical:
http://www.naturallifenetwork.com/
Food:
http://www.farmersmarketsontario.com/index.cfm
http://www.localfoodplus.ca/
http://www.burnhamfamilyfarmmarket.ca/
Friday, February 27, 2009
RENOVATION REBATES – Pay yourself back!
Good news from the Jan. 27 federal budget: Home owners completing renovation projects between $1000 and $10,000 completed prior to Feb. 2010 can get a %15 rebate of up to $1350 for home renovations. This program includes items such as kitchens, bathrooms, decks, painting, new carpets and flooring. Routine maintenance does not qualify. Such things as new furniture, appliances, tools, carpet cleaning and snow removal are excluded.
The invoices/receipts need to be kept for your 2009 tax return.
You can also double dip on a project if you are including energy efficient upgrades – furnace, insulation, windows etc. You still need to have an energy audit done to qualify.
Let’s do the math:
Example #1:
Bathroom reno. – tub, floor, fan, tile, paint, fixtures – low flush toilets – GTA area.
No energy savings and therefore no energy audit. Total contractor and purchase price $9500.
Calculated savings = $1425. cap $1350. Low flush toilet = $60- municipal rebate - net $1410 savings.
Example #2
Renovation of living room, powder room bathroom, front foyer, stairs – Total price - $30,000.
Calculated savings = $4500. Cap of $1350. Net savings $1350.
Example #3
Basement and energy combination - new appliances – Energy Star, high efficiency furnace, heat recovery ventilator, insulation, door, windows, tile, lighting. Energy Star appliances = $3000. Total Price $30,000. Energy audit $400.
Calculated savings – Federal renovation incentive = $1350
- Home Energy Savings Plan rebates on energy audit - $150
- Retail sales tax rebates on appliances 8% = $240
- EcoAction and HESP rebates for energy retrofits = $2000
- Total savings = $3740
Please note that each project will have its own unique opportunities and savings.
The invoices/receipts need to be kept for your 2009 tax return.
You can also double dip on a project if you are including energy efficient upgrades – furnace, insulation, windows etc. You still need to have an energy audit done to qualify.
Let’s do the math:
Example #1:
Bathroom reno. – tub, floor, fan, tile, paint, fixtures – low flush toilets – GTA area.
No energy savings and therefore no energy audit. Total contractor and purchase price $9500.
Calculated savings = $1425. cap $1350. Low flush toilet = $60- municipal rebate - net $1410 savings.
Example #2
Renovation of living room, powder room bathroom, front foyer, stairs – Total price - $30,000.
Calculated savings = $4500. Cap of $1350. Net savings $1350.
Example #3
Basement and energy combination - new appliances – Energy Star, high efficiency furnace, heat recovery ventilator, insulation, door, windows, tile, lighting. Energy Star appliances = $3000. Total Price $30,000. Energy audit $400.
Calculated savings – Federal renovation incentive = $1350
- Home Energy Savings Plan rebates on energy audit - $150
- Retail sales tax rebates on appliances 8% = $240
- EcoAction and HESP rebates for energy retrofits = $2000
- Total savings = $3740
Please note that each project will have its own unique opportunities and savings.
Green Design
I recently heard a green focused interior designer talk about undertaking an environmentally based renovation. Her planning points and choice of materials were well covered. E.g. SFC lumber, low VOC paint, no formaldehyde furniture etc. These are all important considerations.
However, a total project that is sustainable must incorporate LEED based principles that go beyond just material selection:
Plan using the 4 R’s – the real work is to take inventory of what can be reused, modified or given away, and make only changes that are sustainable.
What to do about the waste on the tear out? Call the dumpster and have it go to Michigan? Or, do you plan for an on-site sorting, with the materials going to the local recycling centre – metals, drywall, wood, packaging, appliances etc.
What energy savings devises or methods does the contractor employ? E.g. modern tools, sealing up cracks and openings to cut heat loss when under construction, insulating areas that are not planned – because it is the right thing to do.
Does the contractor plan carefully for material usage so that there is minimal waste and minimal property damage?
Are you saving any money and time by the selections you make – long term energy use, your maintenance time?
Remember that a sustainable project has 5 steps:
Energy Audit
Building inspection
Planning / design
Doing the construction.
Collecting the rebates.
However, a total project that is sustainable must incorporate LEED based principles that go beyond just material selection:
Plan using the 4 R’s – the real work is to take inventory of what can be reused, modified or given away, and make only changes that are sustainable.
What to do about the waste on the tear out? Call the dumpster and have it go to Michigan? Or, do you plan for an on-site sorting, with the materials going to the local recycling centre – metals, drywall, wood, packaging, appliances etc.
What energy savings devises or methods does the contractor employ? E.g. modern tools, sealing up cracks and openings to cut heat loss when under construction, insulating areas that are not planned – because it is the right thing to do.
Does the contractor plan carefully for material usage so that there is minimal waste and minimal property damage?
Are you saving any money and time by the selections you make – long term energy use, your maintenance time?
Remember that a sustainable project has 5 steps:
Energy Audit
Building inspection
Planning / design
Doing the construction.
Collecting the rebates.
Enough of the Negative Talk
Auto industry crashes, TSE reaches new yearly low, unemployment edges up, another business goes bankrupt. I am tired of it. Yes we are in a deep recession. But we are not a depression.
There are lots of people working. The national unemployment rate is 7.2%, which means the employment rate is 92.8%. On Feb. 19, CMHC predicted resale housing prices to drop only 5.2% in 2009. Which means the investing in home improvements now is a good investment looking into the future. A well planned and executed renovation of the home areas where a home value improves the most – bathrooms, kitchen, and painting will continue to add value.
Retailer pricing may be very competitive this year in order to mover stock. Add the rebates of the Federal budget and the multiple environmental energy rebates, there are lots of incentives to get going!
And as far as my business - it has never been brighter. Off grid washrooms using composting technology, green focused building and renovations and fine outdoor structures. Lots of very creative and worthwhile projects coming! Our Mississauga based youth program, Erin Mills Youth Outreach Program, a United Way of Peel agency is also growing and doing great work with kids that need a helping hand. (“Youth with potential”)
There are lots of people working. The national unemployment rate is 7.2%, which means the employment rate is 92.8%. On Feb. 19, CMHC predicted resale housing prices to drop only 5.2% in 2009. Which means the investing in home improvements now is a good investment looking into the future. A well planned and executed renovation of the home areas where a home value improves the most – bathrooms, kitchen, and painting will continue to add value.
Retailer pricing may be very competitive this year in order to mover stock. Add the rebates of the Federal budget and the multiple environmental energy rebates, there are lots of incentives to get going!
And as far as my business - it has never been brighter. Off grid washrooms using composting technology, green focused building and renovations and fine outdoor structures. Lots of very creative and worthwhile projects coming! Our Mississauga based youth program, Erin Mills Youth Outreach Program, a United Way of Peel agency is also growing and doing great work with kids that need a helping hand. (“Youth with potential”)
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