Parade of Homes

Any home that qualifies for the New Homes Program — whether it's a single-family home or a multi-family dwelling — also qualifies for a mortgage insurance premium rebate from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). For those who choose the prescriptive path, the refund equals 15% of your insurance premium, while those taking the performance path may see a refund of 15-25%. Thanks to the New Home Program's success, Efficiency Manitoba is considering an expansion. "We have an enhancement planned for the near future," says Allison Lund, energy efficiency specialist with the corporation's New Homes Program. "Keep your eyes peeled." Efficiency Manitoba has also developed resources to assist homeowners after construction is complete. In a home with new energy-efficient technology, it's not uncommon for owners to have questions about how systems work or how to maintain them. The New Home Manual provides information about different systems, along with energy-saving tips and a to-do list that covers seasonal and annual tasks. Rebate program encourages eco-friendly design By Trina Rehberg Boyko THERE'S ALSO SOME PRETTY COOL TECHNOLOGY OUT THERE TO HELP YOUR HOME PERFORM BETTER AND TO MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. Cont'd on page 108 Home BRINGING SAVINGS >> INCREASINGLY ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOMES are the way of the future, and they're more accessible than ever. Efficiency Manitoba puts energy savings in the hands of all Manitobans, with a variety of programs to help homeowners upgrade insulation, mechanical systems and appliances. If you're planning to build a new home, you can work with the province's newest Crown corporation from the start to ensure your home is as efficient as your budget allows. The benefits of maximizing energy-saving options? Your utility bills will be lower, you'll reduce your environmental impact and your home will be more comfortable through those hot summers and frigid winters. There's also some pretty cool technology out there to help your home perform better and to make life easier for you and your family. Since Efficiency Manitoba launched in April 2020, its New Homes Program has received more than 400 applications. With its slogan, 'Design with energy efficiency in mind,' the program helps participants do just that — design their homes in a way that makes them energy efficient from the ground up. Over 20 years, a home that is certified energy efficient may reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 37 tonnes or more. That's the equivalent of taking eight cars off the road and saving 3,980 trees from harvesting. The New Homes Program offers two options: The prescriptive path, which provides a $1,200 rebate for adding 10 mandatory energy-saving upgrades; or the performance path, which provides a rebate between $1,500 and $12,000, depending on how the design stacks up against Natural Resources Canada's EnerGuide rating system. Parade of Homes FALL 2021 107

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