High-performance window replacements will bring value and comfort to your home for years after their installation. The issue that most homeowners are intimidated about new windows is their price tag — this is especially true if you plan on replacing every single window on the property. If you are worried about the costs of this renovation, there is a provincial program out there that will ease your financial anxieties.
The Green Ontario Fund:
The provincial government encourages homeowners to use The Green Ontario Fund to assist them with payments for home improvements that increase energy-efficiency and reduce the negative effects of climate change. The fund deals with renovations like high-performance window replacements because they are manufactured to seal the property from drafts and control the indoor temperature without using any energy. The program offers a $500 rebate per window installation and caps off the potential rebates at $5000 in total.
How To Get Involved:
If you are interested in the provincial program and want to learn how to get money back from replacing your windows at home, you can visit the fund’s official homepage or the website of one of the participating contractors for more information. One of the qualifications in the rebate program is that homeowners must use a contractor that is currently involved with the fund. You can purchase your high-quality replacements and have them expertly installed by Casa Bella Windows & Doors in order to qualify for the rebates. After the official installation, your contractor will submit your rebate application to the Ontario home energy-saving program and you will need to validate the claim by submitting a proof of purchase — in eight to twelve weeks, you will finally receive your rebate cheque for your house window replacement in the mail.
You also need to choose the correct type of windows in order to qualify for this provincial program. The replacements must meet ENERGY STAR’s Most Efficient criteria for windows, meaning that they either have an approximate energy rating of 36, or they have an approximate U-factor of 1.14 W/m2·K (0.20 Btu/h·ft.2·°F) along with an energy rating of 26 or higher. The upgrades must be certified for Climate Zone 3 to prove its thermal resistance to extreme Canadian temperatures. Finally, they need to be brick-to-brick window installations in order to be eligible for the rebates — this means that they must replace existing exterior windows instead of doors.
Other Changes That Will Save Money:
If you are still concerned about costs after learning about the provincial rebate program, it’s important to know that upgrading your main entrances can save you money from your hydro bills too. New high-quality windows and doors are designed to help you shrink your hydro bills for years after their initial installations because they will stop air leaks that waste heating/cooling energy. Energy-efficient windows are designed with low-emissivity glass and intense weather stripping to guard the property against air leaks — glass entrances like garden doors and sliding patio doors are built with similar features for superior thermal retention. You can also use white window treatments to block out sunlight on scorching days because pale hues are colours that reflect light and heat — darker colours like black will absorb sunlight and make the area warmer.
If you are worried about what a window renovation will do to your bank account, remember that you can turn to The Green Ontario Fund for up to five-thousand dollars in rebates. Energy-efficient models will also help you cut down your monthly hydro bills for years to come. These significant financial incentives should make the decision to commit to new windows a lot easier.
