NB Power’s New Home Energy Savings Program provides rebates (financial incentives) to builders or homebuyers who build energy efficiency into their homes.
The only cost is $99+HST to have your building plans modelled. There is no cost for the On-Site Energy Evaluation once your home is built.
Buildings eligible for incentives:
Build your home to meet one of the two incentive paths:
Option 1: Choose at least 5 upgrades from the Prescriptive options. Use this page to see incentive amounts tied to each upgrade.
Option 2: Reach Energy Performance Tier 3, 4, or 5 from the 2020 National Building Code to get an incentive of up to $15,000.
Please visit the program guidelines for more information.
No, your project can get incentives through one path or the other. At the time when any applicable incentives are calculated, projects will be evaluated against both paths and will get the highest incentive amount possible.
No, installing multiple mini split heat pumps qualifies as just one upgrade under the Prescriptive option. However, you can get rebates towards the other qualifying units assuming you complete 4 other Prescriptive upgrades.
This answer applies to all items in the “Mechanical Systems” and “Domestic hot water” tables.
Following the Prescriptive option, 80% or 8 out of every 10 windows, doors, or skylights have to be ENERGY STAR rated to receive a rebate (assuming 4 other Prescriptive upgrades are completed).
For the Energy Performance Tiers, you have the flexibility to install ENERGY STAR windows or not. More energy efficient windows will help your house reach the tier you are aiming for. It would be difficult to reach tier 4 or 5 without energy efficient windows.
To be eligible to receive incentives, participants must register before a building permit is issued. Registering before pulling a building permit is a key part of the process as it is a requirement of the program. Projects that register at the design stage have enough time to build in the efficiency upgrades recommended by the Energy Advisor.
Either builders or homebuyers (defined in this program as people having homes built for them) can participate in the program.
Complete the online registration form.
You have 12 months from the date of your registration to build your house and to contact your chosen Service Organization to schedule an On-Site Energy Evaluation.
Participants will be contacted by phone or email within two weeks of registering for the program.
No, there is no list of approved builders. See this page for tips on what to look for when choosing a builder.
Yes, you must follow the same eligibility criteria and meet the program requirements to access incentives.
No, the program is focused on the energy usage aspects of the home. Some elements of the feedback and advice received through the program have corresponding sections in the National Building Code, but the Energy Advisor’s role is not to make judgement about whether code is met or not. Licensed contractors and the building inspector should be engaged with questions around National Building Code compliance.
