If you’re a Newfoundland resident and are looking for ways to save money on your energy bill, you’re in luck – just choose a NL Power rebate (or more than one!) from the new takeCharge! program. There are currently six Newfoundland Power rebate and loan programs.

Newfoundland Power knows that saving energy is important, so they’ve created a set of rebates that most benefit both the planet and your bank account.

Whether you want to take on some energy-efficient renovations, invest in a new heating system, or just make some small changes around the house, the takeCharge! program has something for you.

So keep reading to see what you can take advantage of and what works best for your situation. Think big! Why wait for tomorrow or next year to take action and save money? And read all the way to the end to learn about some tips on how you can save more money on your electricity bill.

Newfoundland Power Rebates Programs

High Efficiency Heat Recovery Ventilator Rebate Program

Start saving money right away when you buy a high-efficiency heat recovery ventilator (HRV). Not only will Newfoundland Power give you $175 back on your monthly bill (nice, right?), but you’ll save $1,000 in energy costs over time.

But why buy an HRV anyway? For starters, your home will warmer and cozier than it is right now. Plus, HRVs use less energy, saving you money and helping the planet all at once, and are easy to use and maintain. Easy is good!

And the list of qualifications for this program are few. As long as you’re a Newfoundland Power customer and the owner of a home with a permanent foundation being used as your permanent residence, you qualify. It doesn’t even matter what your primary heating source is, so why not take advantage of this program?

Just choose a qualifying model and have it installed by an HRAI certified installer. With a large list of qualifying models from 16 different manufacturers, it may be hard to narrow it down to just one, so feel free to ask your installer to recommend one for you. They’ll know which one will work best for you. If you prefer to choose one on your own, just keep these necessary HRV qualifications in mind:

• efficiency rating of at least 70% (SRE) at 0 degrees
• 63% SRE at -25 degrees
• fan efficacy of at least 1.2 cfm/watt
• for SRE 75% or higher, fan efficacy can be 0.8 cfm/watt

Then all you have to do is apply online and upload your sales receipt. Keeping in mind that a Newfoundland Power representative may visit your home to confirm the HRV installation, all that’s left to do now is sit back and save money while you wait for your account to be credited with your rebate!

Attic and Basement Insulation Rebate Program

Get up to $2,000 back! Get your attention? Good, because you can get back 75% of the cost of insulation for your basement ceiling or walls and 50% of the cost of insulation for your attic.

Adding new or more insulation in your basement and attic is the most effective improvement you could make to not only save a lot of money over time but also to keep you warm. On average, 50% of your electricity costs is all in heating your home, so imagine how much money and energy you could save just by adding insulation (okay, I’ll make it easy—over $450/year with basement insulation and $250/year with attic insulation).

The right insulation both keeps the cold out and the warmth in—and vice versa in the summer. And did you know that basement insulation helps control humidity issues in your home?

The qualifications to be eligible for this program are a little lengthier but still doable:

• Your primary source of heat must be electric. If an additional heating source is used, your home must have a minimum annual electricity usage of 15,000 kilowatt hours (kWh).
• The R-Value of the insulation materials must meet the minimum (basement and crawl space walls is 18, basement and crawl space ceiling is 30, attic is 50) and maximum (basement and crawl space walls is 25, basement and crawl space ceiling is 35, attic is 55 [60 in Labrador]) R-Value requirements after the insulation is installed.
• Your home must have been built and connected to the electricity system before January 1, 2014.

• Your home must be on a permanent foundation and intended as a residence.
• You must be the homeowner and your home must have an active electricity account.

While all types of CSA-approved insulation with a verifiable R-Value are eligible, know that you can only be installing new or additional insulation to qualify for the rebate.

The rebate doesn’t cover the replacement of existing insulation, nor does it cover insulation in both the basement/crawlspace ceiling and basement/crawlspace walls (you will only get money back for installing insulation in one or the other, not both).

And with this program, you have the option of installing the insulation yourself instead of hiring a contractor if you prefer (check the video below for tips on how to install insulation yourself). You’ll still qualify for the rebate, but keep your purchase receipt to upload when you apply for the rebate online. 

Newfoundland Power even offers guides to help you create your installation project and on how to measure your insulation. But if you’d still like to hire a contractor, click here for a list of certified installers.

Remember that Newfoundland Power may send a representative to confirm your insulation installation at any time within 15 of months of your having completed the installation.

Thermostat Rebate Program

This rebate is the easiest program to take advantage of to save money and energy.

Get $10 back for every programmable thermostat you install and $5 back for every electronic thermostat you install. Foolproof!

How does something as simple as an updated thermostat save you money? Look at it this way: if 50% of your energy bill goes to heating costs (which it does, on average), then having more control over when and how much heat you use can greatly reduce that 50% of your energy bill.

For example, just programming your thermostat to a setting 5°C lower than normal while you’re out of the house for the day can reduce your bill by 10%! Not only that, but did you know that a dial thermostat can be off by as much as 5° either way? That adds up to a lot of money eventually.

To qualify for this rebate, you must be a homeowner with an active electricity account, your home must be on a permanent foundation and used as a residence, and your primary source of heat must be electric. If you use an additional heating source, your home must have a minimum annual electricity usage of 15,000 kilowatt hours.

But if this sounds like you and you’d like to save a bunch of money every year, simply buy a qualifying model (There are many to choose from; just make sure they’re used to control electric heating systems and have a setting precision of +/- 0.5°C.), and then upload your receipt(s) when you apply online (you can also download the form and mail it in to the address on the form).

Newfoundland Power recommends that you have your thermostats installed by a qualified electrician and that you install programmable thermostats in the main living areas of your home, with electronic thermostats installed in lesser used areas.

Remember that your home may be chosen at random for a visit from a Newfoundland Power representative to confirm the installations any time within 15 months after your application is received.

Instant Rebates

Over and above all the previous rebate programs, Newfoundland Power regularly offers Instant Rebates: a period of time where you can save money when you buy certain energy-efficient products for your home. The next Instant Rebates run from Sept. 28 to Oct. 31, this year.

Take advantage of these money-saving opportunities:

• dimmer switches (hardwired) rebate: $3
• ENERGY STAR® ceiling fans with lights rebate: $10
• ENERGY STAR® ceiling mounted light fixtures rebate: $5
• ENERGY STAR® dehumidifiers rebate: $10
• ENERGY STAR® LED light bulbs rebate: up to $5
• high performance showerheads rebate: $10
• lighting timers (outdoor and indoor) rebate: $3
• motion sensors (outdoor and hardwired indoor) rebate: $3
• outlet and switch insulators rebate: $1
• faucet aerators rebate: $1
• weatherstripping (door frame kits and attachable door sweeps) rebate: $3
• weatherstripping (foam or v strip) rebate: $2
• window insulation film rebate: up to $5
• smart power strips rebate: $10

Mark the date on your calendar!

Home Energy Savings Program

Everyone deserves to be warm and save money. This program offered through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing in coordination with Newfoundland Power helps those with a low income to make energy-efficient additions or upgrades.

Not only does this program help those who need help the most, it also helps the planet by reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are quite often a by-product of older, less expensive systems.

You qualify for this program if you are a homeowner with an income of less than $32,500 or less per year and you consume 15,000 kWh of electricity each year. If it turns out you’re eligible, the government will give you a grant of up to $5,000 to help you make the changes you need to make.

The changes you need will be determined by a Newfoundland and Labrador Housing representative during a home energy assessment—at no cost to you.

Types of changes or additions vary according to need, but some of the most common examples include basement and attic insulation and draft proofing.

To apply for this program, just download and fill out the application and send it to the address on the form, provide proof of income, and include the amount of electricity you used in the last year. Simply call Newfoundland Power at 1-800-663-2802 or Newfoundland Hydro at 1-888-737-1296 to find this information.

For more information about the program, call 1-866-331-3436 or (709) 724-3000.

Newfoundland Power Financing Programs

Energy Efficiency Loan Program

Newfoundland Power realizes coming up with the money to pay for energy-efficient upgrades can be difficult, daunting, or downright undoable sometimes. But because energy efficiency is so important and Newfoundland Power wants you to save money in the end, they also offer a low-interest (prime + 1%) financing program: the Energy Efficiency Loan Program.

You can use this financing to purchase any of the qualifying upgrades:

• electric water heaters
• electric heating systems and heat pumps
• R-2000 upgrades
• HRVs
• electric fireplaces and mantles
• service upgrades
• digital and programmable thermostats
• home energy assessments
• basement and attic insulation

All you need to do is to get a quote for the items from the list you want to invest in, and then fill out an application form. You can also call a customer service representative at 1-800-663-2802 to apply if you prefer.

In addition to regular customer financing requirements, you also need to meet the following criteria:

• You must have at least a 1-year history with Newfoundland Power.
• Your property must have at least 12 months of history with Newfoundland Power.
• Your home must meet minimum insulation levels at the time of application.

Then, once you’ve been approved for financing and signed a loan agreement, Newfoundland Power will pay your contractor(s) directly. You pay the total amount through your Newfoundland Power bill spread out over the agreed-upon term, to a maximum of 60 months.

There is a cap for this program, however. Once you’ve reached the maximum of $10,000 (this year—it changes annually) you have the option of using regular financing at prime + 4%, or waiting until the next year to complete your plan.

Federal Rebate Programs

CMHC Green Home

Don’t let this program fool you! The CMHC Green Home program is not just for those building a new, energy-efficient home—though if that’s your goal, this is definitely for you. But, you can also get the 15% to 25% refund on your mortgage loan insurance when you use CMHC financing to make energy-saving renovations too.

The amount of the refund you’ll get if you used CMHC financing to complete your renovations (or buy or build a new home) will depend on the end result of your energy-efficiency project. If the EnerGuide rating on your house was 55 or more before your renovation began and you increase your rating by at least 5 points, you’ll get a 15% refund. But if you increase your EnerGuide rating by at least 10 points, you’ll get a 25% refund. Not bad since you’re renovations will also save you money and pay for themselves sooner than you may think.

Just download the application form, fill it in, and send it to the address on the form.

GENWORTH CANADA ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOUSING PROGRAM

Another new home construction rebate program, with this one, if you build a new home with one of Genworth Canada’s qualifying energy-efficient building programs, you could get 25% of the cost of your mortgage insurance back (Every little bits helps!).

You could also qualify if your new build meets Natural Resources Canada EnerGuide requirements (there are two different standards). You only get this rebate if you fund your new home build with a Genworth Canada-insured mortgage though (the bank financing your mortgage can help you with this).

Isn’t it nice that after you’ve spent all that time saving up and putting all that money out to achieve your dream of owning a new home that you’ll actually get some money back after it all? Plus your home will be warm or cool when it needs to be, you’ll save money on your energy costs, and you’ll be doing your part for the environment.

More Money-Back  Opportunities

RSP Refund

This may not apply to many people anymore because began a few years ago, but don’t miss this opportunity if you are or were a Newfoundland Power customer between January 1, 2007, and August 31, 2013.

Because a balance grew in Newfoundland Power’s RSP account between 2007 and 2013, this balance was owed to eligible Newfoundland Power and Hydro customers. Therefore, if you haven’t requested your refund yet, simply call 1-800-663-2802 to do so, or if you are a former customer, you can also fill out the online form.

Tips for Spending Less on Your Utility Bill

After you’ve spent all that time and money making those wise energy-, money-, and planet-saving choices and renovations, you really want to continue saving as much money and energy as you can, right? Well the easiest way to do that is to maintain those purchases and give them the best chance at a long life working for you.

Read through these tips to learn some of the things you can do to achieve that goal:

Clean HRV Air Filters

Your HRV air filters need to be cleaned at least every 2 months. Filters in most new HRVs can be easily removed, vacuumed, and then washed with mild soap and water. If you haven’t replaced your HRV and still have an old model, its filters are replaceable, so replace them every 2 months.

Check Outside Vents

?Check the outside vents, outdoor intake, and exhaust hoods of your HRV for any leaves, waste paper, or other obstructions that may be blocking them. Also keep the vents clear of snow in the winter to improve your HRV’s efficiency.

HRV Has a Pipe or Tube

?If your HRV has a pipe or tube coming out the bottom, check to see that it’s flowing freely by pouring about 2 L of warm, clean water into each drain pan. If you see a backup, it’s time to clean the drain.

Run your bathroom fan for just 30 minutes

Save more money on your heating costs after you’ve installed insulation and/or programmable thermostats with a task as easy as cleaning or replacing old weather stripping that’s become clogged with sand, grit, and debris from rain or airborne particles.

Use Outlet and Switch Insulators

An even simpler way to save money is to use outlet and switch insulators under electric switches and outlets to stop drafts. You can pick up a package for just $5!

Reduce Thermostat Setting

Reduce the thermostat setting to 16°C in rooms you don’t use very often, such as spare bedrooms.

Change your Dryer Habits

Look to your dryer to save some money. Changing your dryer habits could save you about $85 a year, and that adds up when you’re making energy-efficient changes. Try using the auto-dry sensor to cut down on drying time if using a clothesline isn’t an option.

The cool-down or perma-press setting can also save energy and reduce fabric wear and shrinkage. Fill but don’t overfill the dryer because that can lengthen the drying time. And one thing that many people overlook: clean the lint trap after each load and check the outside vent regularly for maximum efficiency!

Invest in Smart Power Strips

Finally, try investing in some smart power strips. Most household electronics—especially TVs, DVDs, and gaming consoles—still consume power even when they’re in standby mode.

Plugging them into smart power strips prevents that by shutting the power off whether they like it or not. Just don’t plug your PVR into a smart power strip or you’ll miss all your Big Brother episodes!

Now that you’ve made some big changes that will keep saving you money over and over again, you can sit back and dream about the next project you’ll tackle with all the extra money you’ll have in your wallet!