AIR SEALING BONUS
GET MORE FROM YOUR HOME INSULATION PROJECT WITH AIR SEALING
Including comprehensive air sealing as part of your insulation project can help you reduce your energy use and save even more on your energy bills. Proper air sealing prevents air from being able to move through or around your insulation. Without it, your insulation can become less effective and increase your energy use.
COMMON AIR SEALING LOCATIONS
Air sealing techniques vary depending on your home and where you’re adding insulation. Common areas to seal include:
- In the attic: penetration points such as gaps around fans, plumbing stacks, pot lights, or around your attic hatch.
- Along the tops of walls: where the wall framing meets the ceiling, including interior partition walls.
- Around the foundation: areas where the foundation meets the wall, such as rim joists.
- Openings for equipment and services: vents, air intakes, ductwork, plumbing, and electrical services.
- Around window and door rough openings and seals.
When air sealing your home, it’s important to address any existing moisture issues prior to starting any work. Trapping moisture in a well-sealed area can reduce drying potential and make the problem worse.
For more information discuss your project with a registered Efficiency Manitoba supplier or check out our resource section below.
BENEFITS OF AIR SEALING
There are many benefits of including air sealing in your insulation project:
- Increased energy efficiency.
- Improved indoor air quality and noise control.
- Reduced potential for moisture deposition, build-up, and related issues such as mould or structural degradation.
- Extended lifespan of your heating and ventilation system.
GET MORE MONEY BACK
With our new air sealing bonus, you can earn more money back on your Home Insulation Rebate based on how much you improve your home’s air leakage rate.
| BONUS AMOUNTS BASED ON AIR SEALING IMPROVEMENT | |
| % IMPROVEMENT | BONUS AMOUNT |
| 10% improvement | $500 |
| 20% improvement | $750 |
| 30% improvement | $1,000 |
To qualify for this bonus, you must complete a pre-retrofit and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation to measure the change in your air leakage rate.
During these evaluations, your home’s air leakage rate is measured using a blower door test. The values indicated in your EnerGuide evaluation reports are shown in the units of air-change rate per hour (ACH). We determine the improvement of your home’s air leakage rate from these values.
Steps to Participate
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GET A PRE-RETROFIT ENERGUIDE EVALUATION
To qualify for the air sealing bonus, you must complete your pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation before starting any work on your Home Insulation Rebate project. Contact a service organization that offers EnerGuide evaluations for existing homes. They’ll send an energy advisor to perform an in-home energy assessment, which will establish your current air leakage rate and identify where air sealing is needed. Your energy advisor will also provide expert advice and a personalized roadmap of recommended energy efficiency upgrades for your home.
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PLAN YOUR PROJECT
Your energy advisor will email you your pre-retrofit evaluation reports approximately two to three weeks after your evaluation. Review these reports to see your home’s current air leakage rate and the air leakage locations identified by your energy advisor. Share these reports with your insulation contractor to help plan the scope of your home insulation and air sealing project.
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APPLY FOR REBATES
EnerGuide Home Evaluation Rebate
We offer a $400 rebate towards the cost of a pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation. Apply online within 90 days of your pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation. If approved, you’ll receive your rebate within four to six weeks of submitting your application.
Home Insulation Rebate & air sealing bonus
Your contractor or retailer will start this application approval process for you. Be sure to receive approval before purchasing materials or starting any work including removing drywall, stucco, or original insulation.
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COMPLETE YOUR PROJECT & GET A POST-RETROFIT ENERGUIDE EVALUATION
Once your application is approved, purchase and install your insulation and air sealing materials. Your materials must be purchased from the registered contractor or retailer listed on your application form. You have 12 months to complete your air sealing and install the insulation from the date your application was approved.
Once the work is done, contact your energy advisor to schedule your post-retrofit evaluation to measure your new air leakage rate.
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GET YOUR INSULATION REBATE & AIR SEALING BONUS
Your supplier will initiate the completion process by submitting your paid invoice or receipts. You’ll be emailed a completion form and will need to provide copies of your EnerGuide evaluation reports. We’ll calculate your insulation rebate based on your verified R-values, square footage, and invoices. Your air sealing bonus will be based on the percentage of improvement of your home’s air leakage rate. Your rebate cheque will be mailed out to the address you provide on your completion declaration.
DO YOU QUALIFY?
- You own the residence (home, rental property, or cottage).
- The residence has active Manitoba Hydro residential service and is heated for the entire heating season (from September to May).
- The home hasn’t previously received a rebate for the area you’re applying for.
- The home is a detached, semi-detached, or a mobile/modular home on a permanent foundation with a permanent water supply.
PROJECTS THAT AREN’T ELIGIBLE
- Projects that are in progress, already complete, or those converting unheated spaces to heated spaces
- Garages, three-season sunrooms, porches, or verandas
- Seasonal homes, vacation rentals, unoccupied homes, or outbuildings
- New construction (new homes or additions)
- Mobile home skirting or floor insulation
RESOURCES
Looking for more information? Check out these resources to learn more about air sealing.
See our frequently asked questions for more information.
