Existing Homes Incentive Program

As of May 17, 2024, the Existing Homes incentive is fully subscribed and we are no longer taking requests for the queue. Thank you everyone who showed interest in this year's program.

The Existing Homes Incentive Program is designed to assist property owners with the cost of energy-saving retrofits and requires an initial EnerGuide Home Evaluation (pre-evaluation) to qualify. Additional details can be found in the application terms and conditions, as well as the determine eligibility sections below.

Once you have determined your eligibility, a reserve funds application can be completed for all the upgrades you intend to complete before December 31, 2024. After you have completed all your retrofits for the year, a rebate request application can be submitted. This process eliminates the need for multiple application forms.

Funds are limited so submit your reserve funds application early as possible. Follow the step-by-step process below.

Applications should be submitted by homeowners only, not contractors. There are five eligible types of retrofits in this incentive, so you may have multiple contractors working on different elements of the same application.

Why do I need a home evaluation? 
Understanding how your house works before starting a retrofit will help ensure that the job meets your expectations and that you will not be causing new issues while resolving old ones. An evaluation provides personalized advice for improving your home's efficiency, identifying which improvements are worthwhile for your home and can save you money on utility bills over time!

Rebate amount

HAT Smart will rebate up to $5,000 for combined retrofits in the Existing Homes Program. You may choose to do more than one of the eligible retrofits but, in all cases, the maximum rebate will not exceed $5,000 total.

Full details and the maximum rebate for each eligible retrofit can be found in the Do Your Research section below.

As of May 17, 2024, the Existing Homes incentive is fully subscribed and we are no longer taking requests for the queue. Thank you everyone who showed interest in this year's program.

Application deadline

The application deadline for rebate request is noon on January 9, 2025.

Application terms and conditions 

The following Application Terms and Conditions (Terms and Conditions) establish the eligibility requirements and related terms and conditions for an application to the Existing Homes Incentive Program (Program).

The application shall be subject to approval by HAT Smart. A completed application is neither a guarantee of eligibility for a rebate under the Program, nor payment of the rebate itself, and is subject to the following Terms and Conditions:

  1. The Program will be in effect from January 1 to December 31, 2024 (Term), or until a time in which Program funds are fully subscribed.
    • Applicants are eligible for one (1) rebate per residential address during the Program Term.
  2. The deadline to submit applications is noon on January 9, 2025. Your application will be declined if it is:
    • Incomplete or illegible. A new application will be required and must be received prior to the application deadline.
    • Late, or received after Program funds are fully subscribed. Applications received after Program funds are fully subscribed, and/or applications where funds have not been reserved will be entered in the queue. Should funds become available, you will be notified.
  3. The Program is designed to assist property owners with the cost of energy-saving retrofits in existing homes. An existing home is any home built more than six (6) months prior to installations, replacements, and/or upgrades.
    • Applicants are responsible for all taxes and any additional amounts above the maximum rebate amount.
  4. To qualify for a rebate under the Program:
    • An initial EnerGuide Home Evaluation (pre-evaluation) is required and must be completed by a certified energy advisor (Eligible Project);
    • At least one of the retrofits that is both eligible and recommended by your energy advisor in their report have been completed within the program Term, as evidenced by the corresponding sales receipts and/or invoices;
    • All equipment must be bought in Canada between January 1 and December 31, 2024 as evidenced by the date on invoices and/or receipts. Online purchases are only eligible if they are ordered from an online distributor in Canada; and
    • The pre-evaluation must be completed between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2024, as evidenced by the date on the corresponding EnerGuide label and report. 

      If your home had an EnerGuide evaluation by a previous owner, or your evaluation was conducted before January 1, 2020, a new pre-evaluation is required and must be completed between January 1 and December 31, 2024.
  5. To be eligible for a rebate under the Program:
    • Applicants must either receive a City of Medicine Hat residential Electric and/or Natural Gas utility statement for the Project address in their name or, for rental properties, be the owner on the tax roll; and
    • Eligible Projects must be completed by the property owner as confirmed through the City of Medicine Hat billing system.

      Residential customers living in a condo are not eligible for the Program if utilities are paid for through condo fees or by the condo association since the condo building itself would then be considered a commercial enterprise.
  6. Funds will be reserved, to a maximum of $5,000, based on the upgrades Applicants intend to complete within the Program Term. Visit the HAT Smart website for a list of eligible retrofits, associated criteria, rebate amounts, and Required Documentation.
    • A new application is required for additional retrofits (not included on the original application) that you intend to complete within the Program Term, which will be entered in the queue for processing based on the date it is submitted. The maximum rebate for combined applications is $5,000.
  7. Rebates are paid based on projects completed prior to the end of the Term. If you have received confirmation that funds have been reserved, your rebate will be calculated and paid to a maximum of the reserved amount.
    • If you completed additional retrofits and did not reserve funds, you may not receive payment for those projects if funds are fully subscribed. However, your application will be placed in the queue for processing based on the date it was received and may be paid, should funds become available.
    • HAT Smart rebates are paid based on pre-tax amounts. Therefore, Applicants are responsible for all taxes and any additional amounts above the maximum rebate amount. If Program funds have been fully exhausted, Applicants are responsible for the full cost of retrofits.
    • A copy of the purchase receipt or other information relevant to the project is required. Omission of such required information will result in an incomplete application which will be declined by HAT Smart.
    • The Applicant should retain a copy of the application form and all required documentation as the Applicant’s original application and documentation will not be returned by HAT Smart.
    • Should the Existing Homes Program be repeated in subsequent years, rebates for installation of additional windows and doors, as well as insulation, in areas not previously retrofitted will be eligible. Rebate amounts will be based on the maximum for the application year, less the rebate amount previously paid.
  8. The Applicant is solely responsible for:
    • researching and ensuring they qualify under applicable eligibility criteria as outlined on the HAT Smart website;
    • meeting all Program requirements and complying with any laws, regulations, or by-laws regarding permits, codes, restrictions, and/or inspections in relation to products or equipment installed; and
    • any direct or indirect taxes, duties, levies, fees, or like charges incurred as a result of participation in the Program.
  9. The Applicant acknowledges and agrees that, as a result of projects completed as recommended by your energy advisor in their report, HAT Smart:
    • is not responsible for, and accepts no liability nor makes any representations with respect to estimated or possible energy savings;
    • is not responsible for, nor liable for, the selection, purchase, installation, and ownership/maintenance of the products included in the submitted rebate application; and
    • makes no representation or warranty, whether expressed, implied, direct or indirect, with respect to the products, services or other measures that the Applicant has purchased.
  10. The Applicant further agrees:
    • the Eligible Project has been completed in the specified dwelling through a service provider and that purchases and installations are of new condition and for non-commercial use only;
    • all equipment was purchased in Canada between January 1 and December 31, 2024 as evidenced by the date on invoices and/or receipts. Online purchases were also ordered from an online distributor in Canada;
    • that HAT Smart is not affiliated in any way with the manufacturer, distributor, dealer, and/or installer of the product(s);
    • that combined incentives from government programs shall not exceed 100% of Eligible Project costs;
    • any other rebate(s), discount(s) and/or incentive(s) offered and/or provided by any government agency, institution, manufacturer, distributor, dealer and/or installer are separate and distinct from the Program and HAT Smart shall not be responsible for the administration or payment of the same nor be responsible for the erroneous submission of other rebate(s), discount(s) and/or incentive(s) to HAT Smart.
  11. In submitting this application, the Applicant consents:
    • to the disclosure of personal information, as well as the rebate amount awarded to the Applicant, to HAT Smart, its contractors, employees, partners and others who have a need to know; and
    • to the collection, use, disclosure and retention of such information for five years, following which such information will be destroyed or made anonymous.
  12. HAT Smart reserves the right to change or terminate the Program at any time without notice or explanation. HAT Smart will use reasonable efforts to process a completed eligible application received prior to changes or Program termination according to Program requirements in effect on the date the application was received.
  13. The Applicant should allow four (4) weeks to process the application and payment. If approved, the rebate will be paid by cheque, direct deposit, or as a credit on your utility account. All rebate cheques issued must be cashed within 180 days from the cheques’ issuance date and will not be re-issued after this time.

How to participate
 
Determine eligibility

Before completing any retrofits, read the Eligibility section below and the information for each of the eligible retrofits. Don’t forget to check out the FAQs!

Eligibility

To qualify for a rebate: 

  • Applicants must either receive a City of Medicine Hat residential Electric and/or Natural Gas utility statement in their name for an existing home or, for rental properties, be named as the property owner on the utility account. An existing home is any home built more than six (6) months prior to installations, replacements, and/or upgrades.

    If you live in a condo and your utilities are paid for through your condo fees or by the condo association, you would not be eligible for HAT Smart rebates since the condo building itself would be considered a commercial enterprise.
  • Your pre-evaluation must be completed between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2024 by a certified energy advisor.
  • At least one of the retrofits that is both eligible and recommended in the energy advisor’s report must be completed by a licensed installer* between January 1 and December 31, 2024.
  • All equipment must be bought in Canada between January 1 and December 31, 2024 as evidenced by the date on invoices and/or receipts. Online purchases are only eligible if they are ordered from an online distributor in Canada.

Failure to comply with incentive requirements and/or terms and conditions will cause your application to be declined.

HAT Smart does not require a post-evaluation to receive your rebate. Therefore, all projects must be completed by a licensed installer.

Conduct your home energy evaluation
Contact a service organization to schedule and complete an EnerGuide Home Evaluation. Walk through your home with the advisor as they work and make sure to ask questions. You may uncover some simple ways to reduce consumption.
Plan your retrofits
Once your home evaluation is complete, you can decide which of the recommended retrofits to tackle first. Learn more about what to do after your EnerGuide home evaluation and renovating for energy efficiency.
Do your research

Know the difference between EnerGuide and ENERGY STAR®.

Choosing the right product

NRCan provides valuable information to help you choose the product that’s right for your home, as well as the most up to date product information published by the Government of Canada.

Choosing a contractor

Not sure how to choose a contractor? See what the Government of Alberta, Canadian Home Builders' Association and Solar Alberta suggest.

Eligible retrofits

Full details for each of the retrofits listed below can be found on the individual pages by clicking on the following links:

Eligible retrofits
Type of retrofit Maximum rebate

Home insulation

$2,500

Windows, doors and sealed units

$2,500

ENERGY STAR® tankless water heaters

$500

ENERGY STAR® heat- and energy-recovery ventilators

$1,000

Solar PV

$1,000

 

Reserve funds

Fill out the application, choosing only the upgrades you intend to complete before December 31, 2024.

As of May 17, 2024, the Existing Homes incentive is fully subscribed and we are no longer taking requests for the queue. Thank you everyone who showed interest in this year's program.

Reserve funds application (closed)

If you decide to tackle additional projects, a new application to reserve funds is required for those retrofits. You may not receive payment if funds are fully subscribed. However, your application will be placed in the queue for processing based on the date it is received and may be paid, should funds become available. The maximum rebate for combined applications is $5,000.

Your EnerGuide Home Evaluation report is due within 60 days of submitting your reserve funds application (if you did not include it when you applied).

Submit EnerGuide Home Evaluation report

Complete your retrofits

Eligible projects must be completed, and receipts must be dated, between January 1 and December 31, 2024 to qualify.

Collect your documents

As you complete your projects, save all required documentation (listed with each eligible retrofit) to submit with your final application.

Request your rebate

Only one (1) rebate request application will be accepted for retrofits completed during the program Term.

Request rebate

If you completed additional retrofits and did not reserve funds, you may not receive payment for those projects if funds are fully subscribed. However, your application will be placed in the queue for processing based on the date it was received and may be paid, should funds become available.

Payment

You have three options for receving your HAT Smart rebate:

  • Direct deposit
  • Cheque (mailed to address on your application)
  • Credit on utility account

To receive payment by direct deposit, complete the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Registration Form.

The Canada Greener Homes Grant (CGHG) is administered by the Federal Government. It requires an EnerGuide home evaluation before the retrofit and then a post-retrofit evaluation once renovations are completed.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What if I want to complete additional projects but didn’t reserve funds?

If you decide to tackle additional projects, a new application to reserve funds is required and will be entered in the queue for processing based on the date it is submitted. The maximum rebate for combined applications is $5,000.

If you complete additional retrofits and do not reserve funds, you may not receive payment for those projects if funds are fully subscribed. However, your application will be placed in the queue for processing based on the date it was received and may be paid, should funds become available.

I lost my receipt. Can I still apply for the rebate?

In order to process your application, we require proof of payment for each receipt/invoice. Your contractor/installer can provide you with a copy.

I live in a condo. Can I apply for a rebate?

Yes, if you personally receive a City of Medicine Hat residential Electric and/or Natural Gas utility statement in your name. If your utilities are paid for through your condo fees or by the condo association, you would not be eligible since the condo building itself would then be considered a commercial enterprise.

I live outside of Medicine Hat. Am I eligible for the HAT Smart rebates?

Yes, all City of Medicine Hat residential Electric and/or Natural Gas Utility customers are eligible to apply. If you currently receive a residential electric or natural gas bill in your name from the City of Medicine Hat, you are eligible to apply.

Am I guaranteed to receive a rebate if I apply?

All applications are subject to approval by HAT Smart. A completed application form is not a guarantee of eligibility for a rebate under the program, nor payment of the rebate itself. Rebates are issued on a first come, first served basis and an incomplete application form can result in a delay of payment or no payment if program funds have been exhausted.

Why was my application declined?

If your application was declined, either it did not meet the eligibility criteria, required documentation was missing, it was received after the deadline, or Program funds were fully subscribed.