home insulation program - hydro retailer...

Resource GuideFor contractors and retailers

Home Insulation Program

*Manitoba Hydro is a licensee of the Trademark and Official Mark.Available in accessible formats upon request.

Home Insulation Program Resource Guide for Contractors and Retailers May 2017

Table of Contents 1.0 Program Overview ................................................................................................................... 2

2.0 Insulation Level Upgrade Criteria.............................................................................................. 4

| | 2.1 Attic Insulation ........................................................................................................................ 4

| | 2.2 Wall Insulation ........................................................................................................................ 4

| | 2.3 Foundation Insulation ............................................................................................................. 5

| | 2.4 Not Eligible for a Rebate ......................................................................................................... 5

3.0 Participation ............................................................................................................................ 6

| | 3.1 Contractor and Retailer Participation and Material Order ..................................................... 6

| | 3.2 Customer and Residence Eligibility ......................................................................................... 6

| | 3.3 Projects Not Eligible for the Home Insulation Program .......................................................... 7

| | 3.4 Owner Performed (Do‐It‐Yourself) Renovation ...................................................................... 8

| | 3.5 Contractor Performed Renovation ...................................................................................... 10

4.0 Application Forms .................................................................................................................. 12

| | 4.1 HIP Application Form ........................................................................................................... 13

| | 4.1.1 Rebate Calculation Schedule............................................................................................. 14

| | 4.1.2 Invoice or Receipt Requirements ...................................................................................... 15

5.0 Additional Aid & Programs ..................................................................................................... 20

| | 5.1 Contact the Home Insulation Program ................................................................................. 20

| | 5.2 Contractor and Retailer Resources ....................................................................................... 20

| | 5.3 Home Comfort and Energy Evaluations ................................................................................ 21

| | 5.4 Power Smart Advertising Guidelines .................................................................................... 21

6.0 Frequently Asked Questions ................................................................................................... 24

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1.0 Program Overview Important notice to all contractors and suppliers: your company must be registered to work with Manitoba Hydro Power Smart prior to commencing any residential project. The Supplier Participation Agreement form must be completed and submitted to Manitoba Hydro, this is a onetime requirement unless otherwise requested. Submission of this completed form will officially register your company and allow you to submit Power Smart applications to Manitoba Hydro. See section 3.1 for more details.

The Home Insulation Program (HIP) provides Manitoba Hydro’s residential customers with financial rebates of up to 100% of the insulation materials required to reach Power Smart insulation requirements. Labour charges do not qualify for financial rebates. Together, you and your customer will follow three easy steps (qualify, insulate, get a rebate) to participate. The Home Insulation Program provides rebates for the following areas upgraded:

Attic Insulation

Wall Insulation

Foundation Wall Insulation

For general Power Smart inquiries:

[email protected]

For Home Insulation Program inquiries:

[email protected]

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| | 1.1 HIP participation details for electric, fuel oil, propane, wood heated homes

Rebate levels and Power Smart requirements differ for customers who use

electricity, fuel oil, propane, or wood as their sole heating source.

“Qualify” application forms exist for electric, fuel oil, propane, or wood heated

homes ‐ natural gas heated homes require a different application.

Carefully review the inside front cover of the application booklet as it contains

important participation information.

The Rebate Calculation Schedule (page 2 of the application form) for both

application types outlines the Power Smart requirements and rebate multipliers for

each measure.

Approval notice must be obtained prior to work commencing. Manitoba Hydro will

notify the contractor or retailer.

The customer may wish to finance the project with PSRL or PAYS loan (refer to PAYS

or PSRL financing supplier guide for details on eligibility and participation).

| | 1.2 HIP participation details for natural gas heated homes

Rebate levels and Power Smart requirements differ for customers who use natural

gas as their sole heating source.

“Qualify” application forms exist for natural gas – electric, fuel oil, propane, or wood

heated homes require a different application.

Carefully review the inside front cover of the application booklet as it contains

important participation information.

The Rebate Calculation Schedule (page 2 of the application form) for both

application types outlines the Power Smart requirements and rebate multipliers for

each measure.

Approval notice must be obtained prior to work commencing. Manitoba Hydro will

notify the contractor or retailer.

The customer may wish to finance the project with PSRL or PAYS loan (refer to PSRL

or PAYS financing supplier guide for details on eligibility and participation).

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2.0 Insulation Level Upgrade Criteria All energy efficient upgrades must meet Manitoba Hydro Power Smart specified requirements.

Insulation work must meet minimum Power Smart levels:

| | 2.1 Attic Insulation

Attic

Existing Insulation Level Criteria R‐30 or less

Attic Insulation Level Upgrade Criteria R‐50*

Flat/Cathedral Insulation Level Upgrade Criteria R‐28*

*Exceptions may be granted for space constraint when not reaching Power Smart requirements, note this on the Rebate Calculation Schedule when submitting for approval.

Attic kneewall (vertical wall)

Existing Insulation Level Criteria R‐8 or less

Attic Insulation Level Upgrade Criteria R‐24

| | 2.2 Wall Insulation

Wall Cavity

Existing Insulation Level Criteria N/A

Insulation Level Upgrade Criteria Must reach a minimum of R‐10

Exterior Wall (when re‐siding)

Existing Insulation Level Criteria Include wall cavity with exterior estimate

Insulation Level Upgrade Criteria (min) R‐3.75 or more

Insulation Level Upgrade Criteria (max) Maximum allowable added for rebate R‐10

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| | 2.3 Foundation Insulation Basement

Electric Heat, Fuel Oil, Propane, Wood Natural Gas

Existing insulation of R‐12 or less OR

Only un‐insulated walls are eligible

The final R‐value for basement insulation must reach R‐24

The final R‐value for basement insulation must reach R‐24

Crawlspace

Electric Heat, Fuel Oil, Propane, Wood Natural Gas

Existing insulation of R‐12 or less OR Only un‐insulated walls are eligible

The final R‐value for crawlspace insulation must reach R‐24

The final R‐value for crawlspace insulation must reach R‐24

| | 2.4 Not Eligible for a Rebate

Projects that include replacement of existing insulation are only eligible for the additional R‐value added.

Insulation added above the final R‐value requirement per measure (attic, wall, foundation) will not be eligible for rebate.

Labour charges related to an upgrade project cannot be rebated.

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3.0 Participation | | 3.1 Contractor and Retailer Participation and Material Order

Contractors and retailers must be a participating supplier in good standing with an active Power Smart Supplier Participation Agreement in place with Manitoba Hydro. To register, contractors and retailers can contact Manitoba Hydro at 1‐888‐MBHYDRO or visit hydro.mb.ca/contractors/supplier_request.shtml If several sub‐trades are engaged to complete the installation, one contractor or retailer must be designated as the primary contractor or retailer and only one Application will be accepted from the primary contractor or retailer. Invoices and receipts must be submitted for all areas at the time of rebate. Registered contractors and retailers can download program materials, watch training videos, and order application forms or promotional materials at hydro.mb.ca/contractors/

| | 3.2 Customer and Residence Eligibility

Applicant must be a Manitoba Hydro customer

Applicant must be the owner of the property in which the insulation upgrade(s) are to take place

The home must be the owner’s primary residence or the primary residence of the owner’s tenant

The home must be built prior to 1999

Home must be detached or semi‐detached

Mobile homes on permanent foundations with permanent water supply are also eligible

To qualify as an electric, fuel oil, propane, or wood heated home the home must utilize any one or a combination of those energies as the main source of heating. Natural gas heat sources will qualify under the natural gas heat application.

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| | 3.3 Projects Not Eligible for the Home Insulation Program

Rebates are not available for:

Homes built 1999 or later

Homes under construction

Unoccupied homes

Apartment / condominium buildings

Seasonal residences (summer homes or cottages)

Mobile or manufactured homes not permanently affixed in some way to the land beneath

Projects in progress or already completed prior to application submission and/or pre‐approval

Projects replacing existing insulation

Commercial properties (may qualify for: Commercial Building Envelope Program) Areas of a residence that do not qualify for rebate:

Porches

Verandas

Sun‐rooms

Garages

Outbuildings

NOTE:

Manitoba Hydro may conduct a pre- or post-installation verification prior to issuing approval for the insulation project or issuing the rebate. Please refer to the HIP Rebate Application for full Terms and Conditions.

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| | 3.4 Owner Performed (Do-It-Yourself) Renovation

For Retailers:

1. The customer contacts their participating retailer and requests a quote for their desired insulation project.

If they do not know where to begin, provide them with the Home Insulation Program customer data collection sheet to take home and complete. You may also advise them of helpful online Manitoba Hydro resources for measuring square footage and determining R‐value (see below: number 3).

2. The customer will report the heating type of their property in order to fill out the appropriate application form.

3. The retailer completes the HIP Application and Rebate Calculation Schedule with the customer. The customer must provide the owner and residence information, sign the owner statement and initial the rebate schedule. Where more than one person owns the property only one owner is required to sign and be listed on the application.

Square foot measurements for insulation upgrades should only indicate the area to be insulated. A helpful guide is available on our website under “How to Take Part”. https://www.hydro.mb.ca/your_home/insulation/program/pdf/guidelines_for_measuring_insulation.pdf

Starting R‐values should be measured in accordance with the chart on our website under “How to Take Part”. https://www.hydro.mb.ca/your_home/insulation/program/pdf/insulation_r‐values.pdf

The conditional rebate amount can be calculated as per the Rebate Calculation Schedule or by using the HIP online rebate calculator at www.hydro.mb.ca/hip

4. The retailer sends the two page Application to Manitoba Hydro for pre‐approval:

Fax: 1‐866‐436‐9609

Email: [email protected]

Rebate applications must be pre-approved before the customer purchases the materials or begins any work.

5. Manitoba Hydro will process the approval paperwork within five business days. Retailers will be notified of the status of the application by email (or fax). If approved, Manitoba Hydro will provide the retailer with any changes to the application (if applicable) and the pre‐approval number which the retailer will record on the application in the space provided. The retailer will then contact the customer informing them of the application status.

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NOTE: Manitoba Hydro may decide to conduct a pre‐verification on the proposed project. Manitoba Hydro will contact the homeowner to book an appointment.

6. Upon approval, the customer can purchase the materials to perform the renovation.

The customer obtains any required permits and undertakes the renovation.

Insulation materials must have a verifiable R‐value as evaluated by the Canadian Construction Materials Centre or equivalent as determined by Manitoba Hydro.

Ensure that the work meets the requirements of the Manitoba Building Code, all applicable bylaws, and is acceptable to inspection authorities.

The customer must complete the work within 18 months of the approval date.

7. Upon providing the customer with the material, the retailer should sign the Contractor/Retailer representative statement on the Rebate Application and fill in the Purchase Date and Material Cost (including taxes) on the Rebate Calculation Schedule.

8. Paperwork can be provided to the customer to be mailed to Manitoba Hydro at the time of completion of the project or if preferred the customer can notify you when the work is complete to be mailed. Within 30 days of the completion of the project mail the following to Manitoba Hydro:

The original white copies of the Application and the Rebate Calculation

Schedule.

And all original receipts. Please see example.

Incomplete Applications and/or invoices will be returned to the customer. NOTE: retain all applicable Pink copies for your records, and give Yellow copies to the customer. Manitoba Hydro ‐ Power Smart Home Insulation Program 360 Portage Ave – 7th Floor Winnipeg, MB R3C 0G8

9. Once Manitoba Hydro has received the completed paperwork it will take approximately eight weeks for the customer to receive their rebate.

NOTE: Manitoba Hydro may decide the project requires a post‐verification. Manitoba Hydro will contact the homeowner to book an appointment.

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| | 3.5 Contractor Performed Renovation For Contractors:

1. The customer contacts participating contractor and requests a quote for their desired insulation project.

2. The customer will report the heating type of their property in order to fill out the appropriate application form.

3. The contractor completes the HIP Application and Rebate Calculation Schedule with the customer. The customer must provide the owner and residence information, sign the owner statement, and initial the rebate schedule. Where more than one person owns the property only one owner is required to sign and be listed on the application.

Square foot measurements for insulation upgrades should only indicate the area to be insulated. A helpful guide is available on our website under “How to Take Part”. https://www.hydro.mb.ca/your_home/insulation/program/pdf/guidelines_for_measuring_insulation.pdf

Starting R‐values should be measured in accordance with the chart on our website under “How to Take Part”. https://www.hydro.mb.ca/your_home/insulation/program/pdf/insulation_r‐values.pdf

The conditional rebate amount can be calculated as per the Rebate Calculation Schedule or by using the HIP online rebate calculator at www.hydro.mb.ca/hip

4. The contractor sends the two page Application to Manitoba Hydro for pre‐approval:

Fax: 1‐866‐436‐9609


Rebate applications must be pre-approved before any work can begin.

5. Manitoba Hydro will process the approval paperwork within five business days. Contractors will be notified of the status of the application by email (or fax). If approved, Manitoba Hydro will provide the contractor with any changes to the application (if applicable) and the pre‐approval number which the contractor will record on the application in the space provided. The contractor will then contact the customer informing them of the application status. NOTE: Manitoba Hydro may decide the project requires a pre‐verification. Manitoba Hydro will contact the homeowner to book an appointment.

6. The contractor may now proceed with the work as specified on the HIP Application.

The contractor obtains any required permits and undertakes the renovation.

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Insulation materials must have a verifiable R‐value as evaluated by the Canadian Construction Materials Centre or equivalent as determined by Manitoba Hydro.

Ensure that the work meets the requirements of the Manitoba Building Code, all applicable bylaws, and is acceptable to inspection authorities.

The contractor must complete the work within 18 months of the approval date.

7. When the project is complete, the contractor should sign the Contractor/Retailer representative statement on the Rebate Application and fill in the Purchase Date, Installed Date, Material Cost, and Labour Cost (including taxes) on the Rebate Calculation Schedule.

8. Paperwork can be mailed to Manitoba Hydro by the customer or contractor at the time of completion of the project. Within 30 days of the completion of the project mail the following to Manitoba Hydro:

The original white copies of the Application and the Rebate Calculation

Schedule.

And the original contractor invoice. Please see example.

Incomplete Applications and/or invoices will be returned to the customer. NOTE: retain all applicable Pink copies for your records, and give Yellow copies to the customer. Manitoba Hydro ‐ Power Smart Home Insulation Program 360 Portage Ave – 7th Floor Winnipeg, MB R3C 0G8

9. Once Manitoba Hydro has received the complete paperwork it will take approximately eight weeks for the customer to receive their rebate.

NOTE: Manitoba Hydro may decide the project requires a post‐verification. Manitoba Hydro will contact the homeowner to book an appointment.

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4.0 Application Forms There are two HIP application forms:

HIP “Qualify” application for electric, fuel oil, propane, or wood heated homes.

HIP “Qualify” application for natural gas heated homes.

The second page of the HIP application form referred to as the HIP Rebate Calculation Schedule can be calculated by referring to:

The rebate calculation schedule (required document); or

The HIP online rebate calculator at www.hydro.mb.ca/hip.

Please fax or email the two page HIP Application and Rebate Calculation Schedule 1‐866‐436‐9609 or to [email protected] for pre‐approval. Do not send the original documents for pre‐approval. Registered contractors and retailers can order application forms online at hydro.mb.ca/contractors/

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| | 4.1 HIP Application Form

The Application and Rebate Schedule are to be completed by the contractor or retailer and submitted to Manitoba Hydro for approval prior to purchase of materials and/or start of any work. As identified on the sample application form, be sure to fill in all areas highlighted in yellow. The information below is designed to help troubleshoot situations and is therefore not an inclusive list.

1. OWNER INFORMATION

Subsection Title Requirement

Owner Name Legal owner must be listed.

Installation Address Indicate the address where the work will take place. In rural areas where a street address is not available, the legal land description (e.g., SE 14 13 2 W) and the mailing address (e.g., PO Box) are required.

Owner address Indicate the address of the owner of the property if different from the installation address (above). Where the application for install is for a rental property, the Manitoba Hydro energy account number of that property is to be entered if known. The owner’s active account number must be entered in the “Owner’s Manitoba Hydro account no.” box.

2. RESIDENCE INFORMATION / OWNER STATEMENT / CONTRACTOR RETAILER

REPRESENTATIVE STATEMENT


Heating Fuel Check the appropriate heating fuel box. For electric homes indicate if home has a geothermal heat pump. For natural gas homes indicate the efficiency of the furnace.

Is this rebate being applied for in conjunction with a Manitoba Hydro Loan?

If the application is being applied for using the Power Smart Residential Loan or PAYS Financing check the appropriate box. Please note that in this case, the Apply to Manitoba Hydro loan box must be checked for the Rebate preference.

Owner Statement Prior to having the customer sign the Owner Statement, ensure that they have reviewed all of the terms and conditions listed on the reverse of the application form.

Contractor/Retailer Representative Statement

Retailers: Once the customer has completed their material purchase, a representative must sign the Statement prior to submitting the forms. Contractors: Once the insulation measures have been installed, a representative must sign the Statement prior to submitting the forms.

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| | 4.1.1 Rebate Calculation Schedule

As identified on the example Rebate Calculation Schedule, be sure to fill in all areas highlighted in yellow.

1. INSTALLATION INFORMATION


Area Insulated Indicate the area in square feet to be insulated.

Original R‐Value Added R‐Value Final R‐Value

Identify and indicate the original pre‐existing insulation levels in R‐value. Reference the Insulation Summary table found in Power Smart Guides 2,3, or 4. The final R‐value must at minimum meet the Power Smart standards labeled in the Insulation Upgrade section. The difference between these two will equal the Added R‐value.

Attic & Foundation Check box

Check the corresponding box to specify the attic and/or foundation type.

2. REBATE CALCULATION


A x B A: copy Area Insulated; B: copy Added R‐Value.

Purchase Date Installed Date

Information to be updated after completion of project. Purchase date: Retailers enter the date customer purchased materials. Install date: Contractors enter the date the insulation was installed. Material cost: total (incl. tax) cost of products, exclude labour.

Material Cost Labour Cost

Information to be updated after completion of project. Material cost: total (incl. tax) cost of insulation material only. Labour cost: total (incl. tax) cost of labour for the insulation project.

3. REBATE TOTAL


Total Rebate Claim Calculated rebate according to rebate calculation equation.

Owner’s Initials Owner’s Initials. Indicates understanding that rebate cannot exceed material cost of insulation installed to meet program requirements.*

* See FAQ’s ‐ Why is my customer’s rebate less than the amount approved by Manitoba Hydro?

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| | 4.1.2 Invoice or Receipt Requirements

Requirements:

1. Supplier’s company name, address, and

contact information

2. Date of installation and purchase 3. Invoice or receipt number

4. Homeowner (customer) name and address

5. Scope of work description, include: total square feet of added insulation, added and

final R‐value, location where work was

performed (measure area and property)

6. Material cost and labour charges separated.

Type of insulation used (product detail),

itemized rates.

7. Proof of payment (e.g., PAID stamp)

8. Total cost summary (including labour, if

applicable)

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5.0 Additional Aid & Programs | | 5.1 Contact the Home Insulation Program

Manitoba Hydro Contact Centre:

o 204‐480‐5900 Winnipeg or

o 1‐888‐624‐9376 toll‐free

Fax: 1‐866‐436‐9609


Mailing Address:

Manitoba Hydro

Home Insulation Program

360 Portage Avenue (7)

Winnipeg MB R3C 0G8

| | 5.2 Contractor and Retailer Resources

The inside front cover of the application form booklet provides an easy reference for obtaining approval and rebate on your customer’s behalf. The Home Insulation Program has filmed a Training Video tailored specifically to Power Smart contractors and retailers. These videos will help you understand and fill out applications for the Home Insulation Program. The video is currently available on USB or on our YouTube channel.

YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQVYunkY524 The Power Smart Energy Expert can offer energy saving tips and requests for resource materials. Complicated renovation questions will be forwarded to and answered by a Manitoba Hydro Building Science Engineer.


The Manitoba Hydro Website has online resources to support retailers and contractors including links to the Home Insulation and Financing Programs, Home Renovation Power Smart Guides 1‐9, and How‐To‐Videos.

Web Address: www.hydro.mb.ca/your_home

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| | 5.3 Home Comfort and Energy Evaluations

Customers can determine the energy efficiency of their home by completing a 15‐30 minute questionnaire. This information is combined with the home’s energy use history over the previous 12‐month period which is used to generate a customized report. This report includes easy‐to‐read graphs which breakdown the home’s energy consumption. Based on the information from the questionnaire and the home’s current energy use, a Power Smart Energy Target will be calculated for the home. The Power Smart Energy Target compares the current energy consumption of the customer’s home with a home upgraded to the recommend Power Smart measures contained in the report. By incorporating the energy upgrade options listed in their report, the customer can bring the home closer to the Power Smart Energy Target. In addition, the report will include a Manitoba Hydro contact number for the customer to call for more information. Customers can complete the questionnaire online at www.hydro.mb.ca for no charge. Alternatively, customers can complete a mail‐in questionnaire for $19.99 plus GST, which will be added to the customer’s energy bill. To request a mail‐in questionnaire, customers can call 1‐888‐MBHYDRO. Note: the survey is not applicable to cottages, apartments without their own electrical service meter, or duplex buildings serviced by only one electrical service meter.

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6.0 Frequently Asked Questions Error Solution

Wrong

application

form

There are two application forms, ensure the correct one is used: 1) Electric, fuel oil, propane, or wood heated homes 2) Natural gas heated homes

Not completing

application

form on behalf

of the

customer

It is the responsibility of the contractor or retailer to:

- complete the application form - submit the form to Manitoba Hydro - receive approval from Manitoba Hydro - communicate approval to the customer

Incorrect

square footage

measurement

- You must include the correct square footage for area to be insulated on the application. Ensure the customer provides correct information.

- Retailers: Provide the tear‐away sheet, ask them to fill it in before moving forward - Manitoba Hydro has a helpful guide customers can use to calculate:

http://www.hydro.mb.ca/your_home/insulation/program/calculating_square_footage_for_insulation.shtml

Incorrect R‐

value of

existing

insulation

- Starting R‐value is only 0 if there has never been any insulation. - Removing all existing insulation and replacing it does not qualify for an existing R‐

value of 0. You must report the R‐value as what was originally there. - Customers or contractors need to measure the R‐value of existing insulation. - Retailers: refer them to the R‐value chart and ask them to go home, retrieve this

information, and then come back to complete the application. - The R‐value chart is available online here:

http://www.hydro.mb.ca/your_home/insulation/program/pdf/insulation_r‐values.pdf - Wood shavings count and have an existing R‐value of 2.5 per inch.

Customer goes

ahead with

project before

it is approved

- Always remind the customer that they cannot start the project until their application is approved, and that they may be selected for a pre‐verification.

- If any existing insulation is removed before approval, they will no longer be eligible for any financial rebates from Manitoba Hydro.

Customer does

not purchase

correct product

- Once the customer rebate is conditionally approved by Manitoba Hydro, please help your customer to ensure they purchase the product required to complete their job. Receipts must show that they purchased the produced needed (added R‐value and coverage), if not, they will not receive the rebate or it will be reduced.

Indicated

incorrect

measure on

application

- This is particularly noteworthy on rebate applications for wall cavities and rigid exterior wall insulation. Rebate factors are quite different between wall cavities (batts/loose fill) and exterior wall insulation (rigid, applied from the outside usually when re‐siding); Please see the aforementioned R‐value chart.

- Confirm with the customer the scope of their project so that the correct section is filled out on the Rebate Calculation Schedule (page 2 of the application form).

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| | 6.1 Pre-Approval (Step 1: Qualify) Are customers who have recently completed insulating or are currently insulating eligible to participate? No. Customers who have recently completed or have already started their insulation work are not eligible. The Program terms and conditions require that all projects receive approval from Manitoba Hydro prior to starting work or purchasing materials. Why can’t customers apply for the same measure twice (for example, why can’t the customer apply twice for walls or attic, etc.)? Processing multiple applications for the same measure is costly to the Program. Also it is difficult to track the total square feet a customer has already received credit for. If a customer is looking to upgrade a particular area of their home, it is recommended they complete the entire area. If an extension of the allotted timeline is required to complete, the program can accommodate this request. Why do insulation projects have to be approved by Manitoba Hydro prior to starting work? Manitoba Hydro requires project approval as part of the quality assurance process for the program. Customers selected will be required to allow a Manitoba Hydro representative visit their home to confirm that the existing insulation levels are as listed on the application form. This service, if deemed necessary, would be provided free of charge. In addition, experience has shown that contractor or retailer contact with customers prior to start of projects will ensure that the customer understands the insulation level requirements. This increases the likelihood that the project will achieve the maximum energy savings. How long does a pre‐approval take? On average, pre‐approval of a completed application takes approximately 5 business days. However, due to extenuating circumstances can take up to 2 weeks. Are insulating materials purchased in another country (e.g., U.S.A.) eligible for rebate? For the insulation product to be eligible it must be new, purchased in Canada, and certified Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC) or equivalent. The reasons we cannot allow products purchased outside of Canada are as follows: a number of products are not registered by a credited independent organization (such as CCMC) are sold in other countries and not available in Canada thus the properties of these products are difficult to verify (e.g., R‐value); invoicing complications of retailers from other countries (e.g., Menards in the U.S.), for example, some retailers in the U.S. do not list product by brand name / type of insulation we require this information to process a rebate; CDN to foreign currency conversion costs cannot be calculated at this time. Are homes utilizing geothermal heat pumps eligible? Yes, homes utilizing geothermal heat pumps as their primary heating source are eligible, provided the eligibility requirements are met. Contractors will use the Electrically Heated Homes application form when submitting on behalf of a customer with a geothermal heat pump. Are homes utilizing propane, wood, or fuel oil supplied by a company other than Manitoba Hydro eligible? Yes, homes utilizing propane, wood, or fuel oil supplied by a company other than Manitoba Hydro are eligible for the Home Insulation Program, provided the eligibility requirements are met. Are homes in indigenous communities eligible? Homes in indigenous communities are eligible to participate in the Home Insulation Program provided the eligibility requirements are met. If the Band Council wants to insulate a number of homes they should be directed to the Indigenous Program run under the Affordable Energy Program.

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Are rental properties eligible? Yes, rental properties are eligible. The applicant must be the property owner and the eligibility requirements must be met. Are new homes / homes built after 1999 eligible for a rebate? No, homes scheduled to be constructed or currently under construction are not eligible for the program. Homes built in 1999 or later are not eligible for the rebate. Are additions to existing homes eligible for a rebate? Additions built prior to 1999 are eligible for the program if they are considered Four Season living space (habitable year‐round). Why are heated garages and cottages not eligible for a rebate? The Home Insulation Program applies to primary living space only. Cottages, attached garages and outbuildings are not normally heated to as high a temperature or for the same length of time as primary living space, and thus the potential energy savings are significantly less than for primary living space. Are energy‐efficient window upgrades eligible for a rebate? The Home Insulation program is applicable to insulation upgrades only, windows are not eligible. What if the home will be unoccupied for some time because the customer just bought it and will be doing renovations before moving in? Refer these customers to Home Insulation Program Staff who will look at these homes on a case‐by‐case basis. They will assess whether the work to be done is considered new construction and how long the home will remain unoccupied.

For retailers: How does a customer determine the current insulation level in their home, and decide where and how to add insulation? Manitoba Hydro Power Smart booklets #2 Basement and Crawlspace Insulation, #3 Attic Insulation, and #4 Wall Insulation provide info to homeowners to assist them in determining their current insulation levels and typical procedures for adding insulation. These booklets and other information are available online.

| | 6.2 Approval (Step 2: Insulate) Does the customer have to add insulation to all of the areas listed in the Home Insulation Program application (attics, basements, crawlspaces, walls)? Customers may choose one or more of the areas listed to upgrade their insulation. They can upgrade more than one area at a time, or insulate one measure area and then re‐apply at a later date to insulate another measure area. A customer can receive a rebate only once for a particular measure area. If the construction or design of the customer’s home prevents them from meeting Power Smart levels, can the home be eligible for a rebate? Manitoba Hydro understands that there may be circumstances where insulating to Power Smart levels may not be possible. Homeowners are encouraged to submit their applications through their contractors or retailers for approval, with a detailed explanation describing the reasons why the required insulation levels cannot be met. Manitoba Hydro will review such applications on a case‐by‐case basis, and may arrange a visit to the residence prior to approving the application. Manitoba Hydro decisions regarding approval or denial of such applications will be final.

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Once pre‐approved, what is the timeline allowed to complete the insulation project? As per the Terms and Conditions, the customer will have 18 months past the date of pre‐approval to complete the project. A reminder letter or email (as per application) will be sent to the customer within 60 days of the deadline. If the paperwork is not submitted within the allotted time, the application will be cancelled. Customers with cancelled applications are eligible to reapply provided the project initially applied for has not started. Customers do not have to reapply with the same contractor or retailer. Questions regarding extensions can be emailed to [email protected].

| | 6.3 Completion (Step 3: Get a Rebate) Is there a requirement for a Manitoba Hydro representative to visit the home prior to issuing a rebate? Some homeowners will be required to allow a Manitoba Hydro representative to visit their home prior to issuing a rebate. An insulation verification cannot be requested by a customer. All costs associated with these verifications will be covered by Manitoba Hydro. What costs are eligible for a rebate? Manitoba Hydro will pay up to 100% of the material cost of added insulation. Labour and other building material costs such as siding, lumber, and hardware are not eligible for rebate. Replacement of existing insulation is not eligible for a rebate. In cases where the calculated conditional rebate is higher than the cost of insulation materials to be installed, customers will receive the lesser of the calculated rebate or material cost. Remind customers submitting an application to initial below the Total Rebate Claim on the Rebate Calculation Schedule prior to submitting, acknowledging this condition. Why does Manitoba Hydro require original receipts / invoices? This ensures that a customer is not later returning a product. It also ensures that a customer is not giving the same receipt to a relative, friend, neighbor, etc. Can a customer assign their insulation rebate to their contractor or building supply retailer? No, Home Insulation Program rebates will be either credited to their Manitoba Hydro account or paid to directly homeowner. This is in accordance with the Program terms and conditions. How long does it take to receive a rebate? It can take up to 8 weeks from the date that Manitoba Hydro receives complete paperwork to process a rebate. How come my rebate was not issued as a cheque, even though I indicated this on the application? If the final calculated rebate amount was less than $200, the amount is applied to the customer’s MH account, as per the Terms and Conditions, even if the customer requests another form of payment on the application. If the account is in arrears then rebates will issued in the following order (as per the Terms and Conditions), even if the customer indicates another form of payment on the application. 1. Rebate applied against customer’s arrears, 2. Any additional money is available after arrears are paid off then it will be either credited to the customer’s MH account (if remaining balance is less than $200) or if greater than $200, the amount will be applied as per the request on the application.

How do I request a replacement Rebate cheque if the name / amount is incorrect?

If the name and/or amount is incorrect, the customer is to mail the cheque back with a note stating what the correction should be, and include the HIP application #. Mail to: Home Insulation Program 360 Portage Ave 7th Floor Winnipeg, MB R3C 0G8

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How do I request a replacement Rebate cheque if the cheque is lost / misplaced?

If the cheque has been lost or misplaced, email HIP email address at [email protected].

Why is my customer’s rebate less than the amount approved by Manitoba Hydro? Customers are paid based on what they purchase. The approved amount is a conditional rebate total and will be changed for the following reasons:

The material cost was less than the conditional rebate amount: Customers are paid the conditional rebate amount or the materials cost (for insulation material only) whichever is the lower amount. For instance, Hydro will only rebate for the required number of bas of cellulose to reach R50 in an attic according to the chart on the bag. If the customer purchases more than what is required, those material costs are not eligible for credit.

The customer purchased less square feet of material or less r‐value than was originally applied for: HIP staff uses the invoices to calculate the quantity of sq ft and r‐value the customer purchased and calculates the rebate based on submitted invoice/receipt detail.

Manitoba Hydro sent an Evaluator out to verify the quantity of r‐value and square footage: Based on their findings, it was determined that the rebate should be reduced.

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