We've all heard about all these Incentives and rebates that  governments and other orgs. are implementing to encourage sustainable living.  But, for some reason, they never do a great job of providing us access to these programs.  

Well, we're here to help them out.  Here's a list of incentives and rebates offered by our federal and provincial governments and other organizations.

FOR YOUR HOME:

• TAPS Program:

Homeowners living in Toronto who use natural gas heating can obtain free delivery and installation of up to two low-flow showerheads, aerators for kitchen and bathroom taps, water pipe insulation material and four compact fluorescent light bulbs.

This program is offered only in certain parts of the Greater Toronto Area.  To find out if you're one of the lucky ones call or e-mail  416-467-8288, taps@qtaps.com.

• Union Gas programmable thermostat credit:

Union Gas provides a $15 rebate to customers who purchase any programmable thermostat by December 10, 2007
For forms and info visit: http://www.uniongas.com/home/ngforhome/energysavings/rebatesIncentives.asp

• Retail Sales Tax Rebate on Solar Energy Systems:

Owners of residential premises, including multi-residential buildings, can claim a refund of the 8% Retail Sales Tax (provincial sales tax) paid on new solar energy systems and on any expansions or upgrades to existing systems installed in their premises.  This applies to systems, expansions and upgrades purchased and incorporated into residential premises on or after November 26, 2002 and this program has recently been extended to Jan 1st, 2010.

For more info: 877-482-9329 or http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/refund/sesr/

• Retail Sales Tax Rebate for Wind, Micro Hydro-Electric and Geothermal Energy Systems for Residential Premises:

Owners of residential premises, including multi-residential buildings, can claim a refund of the 8% Retail Sales Tax (provincial sales tax) paid on new wind, micro hydro-electric and geothermal energy systems and on any expansions or upgrades to existing systems installed in their premises.  This applies to systems, expansions and upgrades purchased and incorporated into residential premises on or after March 28, 2003 and this program has recently been extended to Jan 1st, 2010.

For more info: 877-482-9329 or http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/refund/windgeo/

KEEP READING, THERE'S GREAT STUFF THROUGHOUT!

• Project Porchlight:

Project Porchlight is campaigning in communities across the country, distributing one free compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) to each household in Canada (ultimate goal), showing Canadians that we can all take action on climate change.

For more info: 866 585 6359 or http.www.projectporchlight.com

• Ontario Standard Offer Program (Sustainable energy pricing):

Ontario’s Standard Offer Program provides a standard pricing regime for small renewable energy electricity generation projects. Eligible projects include those that produce electricity from wind, solar, photovoltaics, thermal electric solar, renewable biomass, biogas, biofuels, landfill gas or water power. Projects must have an installed capacity of less than 10 MW and be connected to an eligible electricity distribution system. Generators must enter into a 20-year contract with the Ontario Power Authority. All generators except photovoltaics will be paid an initial base price of 11 cents per kilowatt hour. After May 1, 2007 the price will increase annually with inflation. Projects that are able to operate reliably during peak hours will be paid an additional 3.52 cents per kilowatt hour for electricity delivered during those hours. Photovoltaics will be paid a fixed price of 42 cents per kilowatt hour for the full term of the contract.

For more info: http://www.powerauthority.on.ca/sop/

• Government of Canada’s ecoENERGY Retrofit (IF YOU OWN A HOUSE, READ THIS ONE!):

Homeowners can have an energy evaluation done on their home and receive a grant for undertaking recommended energy efficiency improvements. The average grant is expected to be more than $1,000 and the upgrades are expected to result in a 30% reduction in energy use and costs.

For more info: 800-O-Canada (800-622-6232) or http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/corporate/retrofit-summary.cfm?attr=0

• City of Toronto Residential Toilet Replacement Program (EVERYBODY CAN DO THIS ONE!):

The City of Toronto offers residents a $60 or $75 cash incentive to replace an inefficient toilet with a City-selected water-efficient model. To be eligible, residents must live in detached or semi-detached houses, duplexes, multi-unit dwellings (buildings with up to six units), individual condos or townhouses. Residents must also own or rent a residential property in the City of Toronto, and have existing toilets with a flush volume of 13 litres or more.

For more info: 416-392-7000 or http://www.toronto.ca/watereff/flush/

• City of Toronto high-efficiency clothes washer rebate:

The City of Toronto offers residents a $60 rebate when they buy a qualifying new high-efficiency washer. The rebate is limited to residents of buildings with no more than six residential units, and qualifying new washers must have been purchased from a participating retailer on or after January 1, 2003. Rebate recipients will also receive five $4 coupons redeemable towards the purchase of 32 load bottles of Tide HE (high efficiency) detergent.

For more info: 416-392-7000 or http://www.toronto.ca/watereff/washer/

• City of Peterborough Subsidized Composter:

The City of Peterborough sells backyard composters at a subsidized price of $25.

For more info: 705-742-7777 ext. 1898 or http://www1.city.peterborough.on.ca/WasteManagement/backyardcomp.htm

• City of Hamilton Subsidized Composters:

The City of Hamilton sells backyard composters at a subsidized price of $33 plus tax.

For more info: 905-546-CITY (2489) or Visit My hamilton

• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Mortgage Loan Insurance Refund:

CMHC offers a 10% premium refund on its mortgage loan insurance premiums, as well as extended amortization to a maximum of 35 years (subject to lender availability), to individuals who use CMHC-insured financing to purchase an energy efficient home, purchase a home and make energy-saving renovations, or renovate their existing home to make it more energy efficient. The refund is a one-time payment.

For more info: http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/moloin/moloin_008.cfm

FOR YOUR CAR (AND ONE ON PUBLIC TRANSIT):

• Government of Canada Transit Pass Tax Credit:

As of July 1, 2006, the federal government is offering individuals a non-refundable tax credit to cover the cost of a monthly (or longer duration) public transit pass for commuting on buses, streetcars, subways, commuter trains, and local ferries.

For more info: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/whatsnew/items/transit-e.html

• Desjardins 10% discount on insurance of hybrid vehicles:

Desjardins General Insurance offers an additional 10% discount on the automobile insurance premium for gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles.

For more info: 800-463-5666 or visit the following site for Desjardins insurance

• Vehicles Powered by Alternative Fuels — tax refund:

People who purchase or lease (for at least 12 months) new or used vehicles are eligible for a refund of the 8% Retail Sales Tax (RST, provincial sales tax) if the vehicles operate or are converted to operate
• exclusively on electrical energy
• as a hybrid electric vehicle
• exclusively on propane, natural gas, ethanol, methanol, or other manufactured gases
• as dual-powered vehicles (vehicles that use one of the alternative fuels mentioned above and that can also be powered by gasoline or diesel fuel).

For more info: 877-482-9329 or http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/refund/vpaf/

• Tax Credit for Fuel Conservation (new vehicle purchase):

The purchaser of a new car that consumes less than six litres of gasoline or diesel per 100 km of highway driving receives a rebate of $100, deducted from the provincial sales tax. 

New legislation was recently passed that makes new cars cosuming more than 6 litres/100 km (Hwy driving) and new SUVs consuming more than 8 litres/100 km (Hwy driving) taxable under the new TFFC or Tax for fuel Conservation.  The higher your new car's fuel consumption, the more tax you pay. 

Visit http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/guides/rst/513.html for more information.  Or phone 877-482-9329.

If you're shopping around for a new car and want to find out which cars are eligible for the tax refund (that is cars under 6 litres/100 km (Hwy driving)) visit this 'Fuel consumption rating tool' http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation/tools/fuelratings/ratings-search.cfm?attr=8

• EcoAUTO Rebate Program:

Beginning March 20, 2007, the Government of Canada’s ecoAUTO Rebate Program is offering rebates of between $1,000 and $2,000 to people who buy or enter a long-term lease (12 months or more) for a fuel-efficient vehicle. Conventional, hybrids and flex-fuel vehicles are included. The more efficient the vehicle, the higher the rebate.

For information about which vehicles are eligible: http://www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/ecotransport/eligiblevehicles.htm

For other information: 866-506-6804 http://www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/ecotransport/ecoauto.htm

• Drive Clean emissions test exemption - for hybrid cars:

Gasoline–electric hybrid vehicles are exempt from Ontario’s mandatory vehicle emissions testing program, Drive Clean. The Drive Clean test, which is a requirement every two years beginning in the fifth calendar year after the model year for vehicles weighing 4,500 kg or less, normally costs $35.

For more info: 888-758-2999 or http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/news/2005/042202.htm

• Citizens Bank Clean Air Auto Loan:

The Citizens Bank offers its members prime rate loans for the purchase of gasoline–electric hybrid and dedicated natural gas vehicles. The loan term is up to five years.

For more info: 888-708-7800 or https://www.citizensbank.ca/Personal/Products/LoansLinesofCredit/CleanAirAutoLoan/

• Car Heaven Ontario:
  

Participants who donate a car of 1995 vintage or older that is currently on the road will receive a $1,000 certificate towards the purchase of a new General Motors or Saturn/Saab vehicle, or a charitable receipt for a minimum of $60. The car will also be towed away free of charge (valued at $200).

Cars and their parts are disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.

Car Heaven covers most areas in Ontario, but cannot currently handle requests in some small communities. Prospective participants should call to check whether the program is available in their area.

This program is an initiative of the Clean Air Foundation.

For more info: 888-731-7311 or http://www.carheaven.ca/

Hope you found a thing or two that inspired you to make your home or vehicle more efficient.  Why not reap the rewards of sustainable living.   

If you know of any other incentive programs that should be on this page, please let us know about it.  E-mail s.charlebois@thegreencity.ca.