(NC)-Incentives for homeowners looking to renovate their homes are everywhere. It appears that many are on board to helping the environment through energy-saving renovations. Government and retailers are providing their support by means of tax credits, grants and discounts. One energy-saving renovation that offers great incentive to homeowners is an attic insulation upgrade. If you’re looking to get started on your first re-insulation project, but just don’t know where to start, here’s a handy checklist for you.

• Find out what’s in your attic – Venture to the top of your home and see how much insulation already exists. Take proper measurements and assess the condition of your attic before you begin. Visit www.pinksavesenegy.ca for steps on how to take proper measurements.
• Get an energy audit – Speak to an energy advisor and request an energy audit of your home. Assess the attic – a space where energy can easily escape – and evaluate the increased savings you may achieve on your heating and cooling bills* by upgrading your attic insulation.
• Insulate – Whether you complete the project yourself or decide to hire a contractor, ensure that the attic is insulated up to a value of R-50. This can be done by installing 15 inches of PINK FIBERGLAS Batt Insulation or 18 3/4 inches of PROPINK Blown Insulation. Not only can this help reduce energy consumption, but it can help save a half ton** of greenhouse gas emissions every year, year after year.
• Save your receipts – When you insulate your attic, you can take advantage of government incentives such as the Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC) and ecoENERGY retrofit grants. The HRTC provides a non-refundable tax credit of 15 per cent on eligible expenses up to a maximum of $1,350, while the ecoENERGY retrofit program can provide up to $600 in government grants when you insulate your attic. Be sure to save all your agreements, invoices and receipts to qualify you for these incentives.

For more information on the ecoENERGY retrofit program, visit www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca and for details about the new Home Renovation Tax Credit and how to insulate your attic, visit www.budget.gc.ca and www.insulationtaxcredit.ca.

* Savings vary depending on the original amount of insulation in your home, climate, house size, air leaks, and personal energy use and living habits.

** Based on an average attic size of 1700 SF with existing R19 insulation, averaged over seven cities in Canada