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 

Frequently Asked Questions

AIR SEALING BONUS

Here are some answers to common questions about our Home Insulation Rebate air sealing bonus.

GETTING STARTED

What’s the Home Insulation Rebate air sealing bonus? 

The air sealing bonus is an incentive designed to encourage participants of the Home Insulation Rebate to complete comprehensive air sealing alongside their insulation projects. The bonus requires participants to complete both a pre- and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation to measure the level of air leakage improvement. The dollar value of the bonus is based on the percentage of improvement. 

How do I indicate that I’d like to participate in the air sealing bonus as part of my Home Insulation Rebate?

There will be a question on the Home Insulation Rebate application form asking whether you’re planning to participate in the air sealing bonus. Upon completion of your air sealing and insulation project, you’ll submit copies of your pre- and post-retrofit evaluation reports, specifically your Home Owner Information Sheets (HOIS), to indicate your pre- and post-retrofit air leakage rates.  

What are the benefits of air sealing my home?

Air sealing has many benefits, including: 

• reduced energy consumption and energy bills; 
• improved indoor air quality, comfort, and noise control;
• reduced potential for moisture buildup and related issues; and
• extending the lifespan of heating and ventilation systems.

ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS

Does my air sealing and insulation project have to be completed by a contractor to qualify for our Home Insulation Rebate and air sealing bonus? 

No. While you must apply to our Home Insulation Rebate through a registered contractor or retailer, the work can be done by either a contractor or yourself as a DIY project.

How do I ensure my home’s air leakage rate is improved by at least 10%? 

Air sealing techniques vary depending on the unique needs of your home and where you’re adding insulation. We recommend having an experienced insulation contractor who’s aware of common leakage points complete your upgrade. Alternatively, we suggest you review the resources listed on our web page for air sealing best practices.  

Completing all the eligible insulation upgrades as one renovation project and sealing all leakage points identified in your EnerGuide evaluation will also help ensure the minimum improvement requirement for the air sealing bonus is met. 

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. It’s also important to be aware of how insulating and air sealing can change how air moves in and out of your home. Proper ventilation is essential to ensuring good indoor air quality, especially in an airtight home or ones implementing air sealing measures. Learn more about energy efficiency retrofits and indoor air quality. 

Can I receive only the air sealing bonus and not a Home Insulation Rebate?

No, an eligible insulation upgrade must be completed through our Home Insulation Rebate offer to receive the air sealing bonus.

Can I get the air sealing bonus multiple times?

Yes, you can participate in our Home Insulation Rebate air sealing bonus multiple times. If you’ve previously participated in our Home Insulation Rebate air sealing bonus, we’ll use the air leakage rate from your previous post-retrofit evaluation as your starting air leakage rate for your new project. Follow the steps to participate, starting at step 3: Apply for Home Insulation Rebate & air sealing bonus. After receiving approval and completing your insulation and air sealing project, you’ll complete a post-retrofit evaluation, which allows us to measure your change in air leakage rate.

Please note that while it’s possible to participate in our Home Insulation Rebate air sealing bonus multiple times, when you split your insulation and air sealing upgrades into multiple renovation projects, it may be more difficult to achieve the minimum air leakage improvement level required to receive the air sealing bonus. 

ENERGUIDE EVALUATIONS

Who schedules and pays for the EnerGuide evaluations?

The homeowner is responsible for both contacting a service organization to schedule the pre- and post-retrofit evaluations and for paying the service organization directly. Homeowners may qualify for a $400 rebate toward the cost of their pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation through our EnerGuide Home Evaluation Rebate. The homeowner is responsible for submitting their application to Efficiency Manitoba within 90 days of their pre-retrofit evaluation date. This is a separate application process from their Home Insulation Rebate. 

We don’t offer a rebate toward the cost of a post-retrofit evaluation. The Home Insulation Rebate air sealing bonus is designed with this in mind, helping you offset the cost of both air sealing your home and your post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation. 

How does the blower door test measure my home’s air change rate per hour (ACH)? 

During an EnerGuide home evaluation, an energy advisor or other certified professional will measure your air leaking rate by pressurizing or depressurizing your home using a large calibrated fan often called a blower door system. Your air leakage value will be measured in air changes per hour (ACH) and will be provided in your Home Owner Information Sheet (HOIS) report along with your potential air sealing opportunities. An ACH of 5 or higher suggests you have significant air sealing opportunities. A post-retrofit evaluation will assess the change made to your air leakage rate. 

I’ve already had an EnerGuide evaluation. Do I need to have another one conducted to participate in the air sealing bonus? 

If you’ve already completed a pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation before learning about the air sealing bonus, you can participate if the evaluation was completed on or after January 1, 2025. If your evaluation was completed before that date and you haven’t completed any upgrades to your home yet, you may still be eligible.  

Additionally, if you’ve completed a post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation and no further upgrades have been made to the home, this evaluation will be used as your pre-retrofit baseline. A new post-retrofit evaluation will be required once your insulation project is completed to measure the new change in air leakage. 

PAYMENTS & OTHER REBATES

How do I receive the air sealing bonus? Is it paid to me or to my contractor/retailer?

The air sealing bonus is added to the rebate for an eligible insulation project offered through our Home Insulation Rebate. The rebate cheque is paid to the homeowner. 

What’s the difference between participating in the Home Insulation Rebate and air sealing bonus compared to your Home Energy Retrofits offer? 

Both offers require a pre- and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation. The Home Energy Retrofits offer is intended for whole-home renovations with significant energy savings and is a better option for customers who are also completing other upgrades such as a change to their heating and cooling system in addition to adding more insulation to their home.

Frequently Asked Questions

AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP REBATE

Here are some answers to common questions about our Air Source Heat Pump supplier bonus.

WHAT’S THE F280 SUPPLIER BONUS?

We’re giving a $100 bonus to registered suppliers for every eligible air source heat pump application they complete on behalf of a customer before March 31, 2027 that includes a CSA-F280-12 heat load calculation. Only one supplier bonus is eligible per project address. 

WILL A CSA-F280 HEAT LOAD CALCULATION BE REQUIRED WITH EVERY APPLICATION?

Starting April 1, 2027, all Air Source Heat Pump Rebate applications must include a CSA F280-12 heat loss/gain calculation to qualify for rebates.

WHO WILL THE SUPPLIER BONUS BE SENT TO?

The supplier bonus will be sent to the company who submitted the application.

WILL I STILL GET THE SUPPLIER BONUS IF I HAVE AN EXISTING APPLICATION THAT WAS ALREADY APPROVED?

Yes! Projects completed on or after May 1, 2026 will be eligible for the supplier bonus.

I ALREADY COMPLETED A PROJECT. CAN I STILL GET THE SUPPLIER BONUS?

Unfortunately, we can’t provide supplier bonuses for projects that have already been paid.

CAN I RECEIVE MULTIPLE SUPPLIER BONUSES? 

Yes! However, only one supplier bonus will be paid per project address. If there are multiple project applications for one address, we’ll review your supplier bonus eligibility. 

WHAT IF I’M NOT A REGISTERED SUPPLIER? 

If you aren’t a registered Efficiency Manitoba supplier, it’s not too late! Submit a supplier registration form today.  

Frequently Asked Questions

The first intake phase of the Manitoba Schools Lighting Initiative is now closed. Schools are still welcome to submit an Expression of Interest, which we’ll review and evaluate during a future selection period.

What’s Efficiency Manitoba’s Manitoba Schools Lighting Initiative?  

Our new Manitoba Schools Lighting Initiative provides funding for K–12 schools across the province to complete energy-efficient lighting upgrades. Schools can receive funding for up to 100% of eligible LED lighting, lighting controls, and associated  labour costs.

Why is Efficiency Manitoba offering this initiative?  

Schools are important community facilities that operate for long hours and rely heavily on lighting throughout the year. Upgrading to energy-efficient lighting reduces electricity consumption and operating costs while improving lighting quality for students, staff, and visitors. Covering both material and labour costs ensures that all schools — regardless of size or budget — can benefit from this opportunity. 

How do schools apply for funding?

Interested schools will be able to submit an Expression of Interest during the enrolment period from February 13 to April 13, 2026. We’ll review and evaluate all submissions received during this period.

We’ll communicate project selections by May 15, 2026. Schools selected to move forward will then be invited to submit a full application. Projects must be approved before purchasing any materials or starting any work.   

Projects not selected during the initial enrolment period will remain in the queue and be considered in any future enrolment periods. These projects will be re-scored alongside new submissions, and schools may choose to update their Expression of Interest to strengthen their application.   

We’ll clearly communicate selection outcomes to all applicants, including whether their project has been selected for the current year or will be considered in any future enrolment periods.

What types of schools are eligible?

Eligible applicants include K-12 schools in Manitoba that deliver the Manitoba provincial curriculum and operate as recognized instructional facilities, whether they’re part of a school division or operate as independent schools. A full list of eligible schools is available here.   

Hutterite Colony schools are eligible if they operate as recognized K-12 instructional facilities delivering the provincial curriculum.   

Home schools and home-based education programs aren’t eligible for this initiative.   

Where applicable, licensed daycares located within eligible K-12 school buildings may be included as part of the school’s lighting upgrade, provided they’re within the same facility and included in the overall project scope.   

Is funding available on a first-come, first-served basis? 

No. We’ll review and evaluate all Expressions of Interest submitted within the enrolment period. We’ll select projects based on factors such as expected energy reduction, extent of lighting replacement, project readiness, inclusion of lighting controls, no major infrastructure upgrades required, and regional diversity.  

Projects not selected for the initial enrolment will remain in the queue and be considered during any future enrolment periods. We’ll re-score these projects alongside new submissions and make selections based on overall ranking. Schools may choose to update their submission to strengthen their application.   

What types of projects are eligible? 

K–12 schools in Manitoba that are pursuing energy-efficient lighting retrofits through the Business Lighting Program are eligible. Projects must include the installation of lighting controls that meet the current adopted version of the Manitoba Energy Code for Buildings (MECB) and involve replacing inefficient lighting equipment with eligible LED lighting. 

Are exterior lights eligible for funding? 

Yes! All energy-efficient lighting and lighting controls are eligible for consideration. 

What are the benefits of upgrading to energy-efficient lighting?

Lighting upgrades provide many benefits to schools:  

• Reduced electricity consumption and utility costs  
• Improved lighting quality, visibility, and comfort in classrooms and common areas  
• Longer product life and reduced maintenance needs  
• Reduced environmental impact through lower energy use  
• Enhanced energy savings and system operation flexibility through the inclusion of lighting controls  

When will funding be provided? 

We’ll provide funding after the new lighting has been installed. Schools will receive their incentive after submitting their invoices and completion documents. Schools may inquire with their lighting supplier to confirm if they would allow the incentive to be assigned directly to the lighting supplier, which would avoid upfront costs for the school.  

Can schools receive funding from other sources for the same project?   

We require applicants to disclose any additional sources of funding related to their lighting project, including grants or incentives from other programs or organizations.   

We reserve the right to adjust incentive amounts to account for other funding received, ensuring projects don’t receive funding in excess of total eligible costs or generate a financial gain. 

Are new schools eligible for this intiative? 

No. The Manitoba Schools Lighting Initiative is intended for existing schools completing retrofit lighting projects, not new construction. New schools may be eligible for incentives through our New Buildings Program.  

How will Efficiency Manitoba ensure participation from schools across the province?  

We’ll review submissions to ensure that funding is distributed across urban, rural, northern, and First Nation schools. 

First Nation and rural schools may have unique building conditions or complex logistical needs; we’ll fully consider these circumstances during the selection process. The initiative is designed to account for differences in geography, school size, and infrastructure so these factors don’t create barriers to participation.    

When do projects have to be completed by?  

Accepted projects must be completed within a reasonable timeframe outlined in their approval letter — typically within 12 months of the approval date. 

How will Efficiency Manitoba choose which school projects are approved for funding?  

We’ll review and evaluate all Expressions of Interest submitted during the enrolment period using a consistent scoring system.  

Projects must include the installation of lighting controls that meet the current adopted version of the Manitoba Energy Code for Buildings (MECB) and involve replacing inefficient lighting equipment with eligible LED lighting.

We’ll prioritize projects based on the following factors: 

• Expected energy reduction  
• Extent of lighting replacement
• Project readiness  
• No major infrastructure upgrades required  
• Regional diversity  

We’ll clearly communicate selection outcomes to all applicants, including whether their project has been selected for the current year or if we’ll consider it in any future enrolment periods.   

If a school already has an open Business Lighting Program application with Efficiency Manitoba, can they get additional funding through the Manitoba Schools Lighting Initiative?  

If a school already has an open application through our Business Lighting Program and the lighting upgrade has already been approved, is in progress, or has already been completed and is awaiting final payment, that project isn’t eligible for the Manitoba Schools Lighting Initiative. 

If the school wishes to be considered for this initiative, they can withdraw their current Business Lighting Program application before it’s approved — provided the materials haven’t been purchased and the work hasn’t started — and resubmit the project through the Manitoba Schools Lighting Initiative. Alternatively, they can submit an Expression of Interest for lighting work that’s over and above what’s included in their existing Business Lighting Program application. This additional scope must be clearly distinct and not overlap with the previously planned or approved upgrades.   

If a school already has an open Commercial Deep Energy Retrofit Program application with Efficiency Manitoba, can they get additional funding through the Manitoba Schools Lighting Initiative?   

Projects that are already enrolled in our Commercial Deep Energy Retrofit Program may be eligible for the Manitoba Schools Lighting Initiative, provided the materials haven’t been purchased and the work hasn’t started.  

The lighting upgrade would continue to be evaluated through our Commercial Deep Energy Retrofit Program, with the project receiving the standard incentive based on modelled energy savings. The Manitoba Schools Lighting Initiative may then provide a top-up incentive to cover the remaining eligible lighting material and labour costs.   

Who can schools contact with questions? 

Questions about the Manitoba Schools Lighting Initiative can be emailed to lighting@efficiencyMB.ca.  

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