Air Sealing Rebate
Air leaks are one of the largest sources of energy loss in many homes. Gaps and cracks around attics, walls, foundations, plumbing penetrations, electrical openings, and other building components allow heated indoor air to escape in winter and warm outdoor air to enter in summer. By sealing these leaks, homeowners can improve comfort, reduce energy consumption, and maximize the effectiveness of their insulation.
Whether you’re building a new home, upgrading insulation, or improving the comfort and efficiency of an existing home, TakeCharge offers three pathways to access air sealing rebates. Choose the option that best matches your project.
Not sure which air sealing pathway applies to your project? Contact TakeCharge or speak with an approved contractor to determine the best option for your home.
Benefits
- Improve home comfort with more consistent temperatures throughout the house.
- Maximize insulation performance by reducing air movement through insulated areas.
- Reduce moisture problems that can lead to mold, condensation, and building damage.
- Improve indoor air quality by limiting dust, pollen, and outdoor pollutants from entering the home.
Which Option is Right for You?
| Project Type | Recommended Pathway |
|---|---|
| New home construction | New Construction Air Sealing Rebate |
| Existing home air sealing project | Air Sealing Rebate with Pre- and Post-Blower Door Test |
| Attic insulation project with full insulation replacement | Bundled Air Sealing with Attic Insulation Rebate |
New home construction
Recommended Pathway: New Construction Air Sealing Rebate
Designed for new homes built to a higher level of energy performance and airtightness. This rebate path rewards builders and homeowners who incorporate advanced air sealing practices during construction and achieve a high level of airtightness. Builders may choose from a range of air sealing techniques, including innovative aerosol-applied systems that can help locate and seal hard-to-reach air leaks while working toward the program’s airtightness requirements.
Eligibility
- Available for new residential construction only (eligible up to 12 months after occupancy permit issuance).
- New homes must have an occupancy permit when the blower door test is completed.
- Your primary source of heat is electric.
- You are the homeowner and have an active electricity account.
- Your home is on a permanent foundation and intended as a primary residence.
- Homeowners and landlords can participate in the rebate programs if they meet eligibility requirements.
- Your home must have a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or air exchanger.
Project Eligibility
- Requires a post-retrofit blower door test completed by an approved professional.
- Home must achieve a final air leakage rate of 2.5 ACH50 or less.
- Rebates are based on achieved air tightness and are between $200 and $750. For example:
- A customer who achieves a 2.5 ACH50 will receive a rebate of $200.
- A customer who achieves a 1.5 ACH50 will receive a rebate of $300.
- A customer who achieves a 0.6 ACH50 or less will receive a rebate of $750.
- Submission must include documented blower door test results verifying compliance with the airtightness target.
- Eligible measures include but are not limited to caulking, spray foam, foam gaskets, aerosol applied air sealing systems (i.e. AeroBarrier).
- Submission must include documented blower door test results verifying compliance with the airtightness target and a copy of the occupancy permit.
How to Apply
Once your air sealing project and post-retrofit blower door test has been completed you can apply online or by mail. Your rebate will be applied as a credit on your electricity bill.
- Allow up to eight weeks for processing.
- Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro may visit your home and confirm your air sealing project at any time within 15 months from when the rebate was processed.
Existing home air sealing project
Recommended Pathway: Air Sealing Rebate with Pre- and Post-Blower Door Test
For homeowners looking to improve the airtightness of an existing home through a dedicated air sealing project. This rebate stream supports comprehensive air sealing upgrades and rewards measurable improvements in home airtightness.
Eligibility
- Existing homes are eligible.
- Your primary source of heat is electric. If an additional heating source is used your home must have a minimum annual electricity usage of 15,000 kilowatt hours (kWh).
- You are the homeowner and have an active electricity account.
- Your home is on a permanent foundation and intended as a primary residence.
- Homeowners and landlords can participate in the rebate programs if they meet eligibility requirements.
- Your home must have a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or air exchanger.
Project Eligibility
- Requires both a pre-retrofit and post-retrofit blower door test completed by an approved professional.
- Home must achieve at least a 10% improvement in ACH50.
- Rebates are based on achieved air leakage improvements and are pro-rated between $200 to $750. For example:
- A customer who achieves a 10% improvement in their ACH50 will receive a rebate of $200.
- A customer who achieves a 20% improvement in their ACH50 will receive a rebate of $475.
- A customer who achieves a 30%+ improvement in their ACH50 will receive a rebate of $750.
- Maximum rebate of $750 per home.
How to Apply
Once your air sealing project and pre- and post-retrofit blower door tests have been completed you can apply online or by mail. Your rebate will be applied as a credit on your electricity bill.
- Allow up to eight weeks for processing.
- Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro may visit your home and confirm your air sealing project at any time within 15 months from when the rebate was processed.
Attic Insulation Replacement
Recommended Pathway: Bundled Air Sealing with Attic Insulation Rebate
Best for homeowners completing insulation retrofits or projects where existing insulation must be removed and replaced. If you’re already upgrading insulation through the TakeCharge Insulation Rebate Program, you may be able to incorporate eligible air sealing measures at the same time. When completing an attic insulation project, be sure to ask your installer if bundling air sealing is an option for your project.
Eligibility
- Only existing homes (those built before 2014) are eligible for this pathway.
- Your primary source of heat is electric. If an additional heating source is used your home must have a minimum annual electricity usage of 15,000 kilowatt hours (kWh).
- You are the homeowner and have an active electricity account.
- Your home is on a permanent foundation and intended as a primary residence.
- Homeowners and landlords can participate in the rebate programs if they meet eligibility requirements.
- Your home must have a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or air exchanger.
Project Eligibility
- Must be completed alongside an eligible attic insulation upgrade.
- Air sealing work must be completed by a TakeCharge-approved insulation installer.
- Rebate covers eligible air sealing materials at $0.50 per square foot of area sealed, up to $750 per home.
- Rebate is paid directly to the installer.
- Installer must provide a completed air sealing measures checklist documenting the work performed.
How to Apply
Once your insulation and air sealing project has been completed the installer will complete a project checklist that is submitted to TakeCharge. As this rebate is paid directly to installers, there is nothing extra to complete for homeowners. Be sure to submit your insulation rebate application.
Low Cost Tips for Air Sealing Your Home
- Buy door sweeps to skirt door frames and prevent drafts from leaking out from under the door.
- Caulk around window casings, baseboards, door frames and wood trim.
- Use expandable spray foam to seal gaps.
- Prevent heat loss by using foam gaskets to insulate outlets and light switches.
- Seal the seams of heating ducts with foil tape to prevent air leakage.
- During winter months, use heat-shrink plastic on windows.
- Use weatherstripping around door and window frames.
Greatest Areas for Heat Loss
- Door and window frames
- Outlets and switches
- Trim and baseboards
- Fans and vents
- Ceiling fixtures
- Fireplace dampers
- Attic hatches
TakeCharge reserves the right to change or terminate the Air Sealing Rebate Program at any time. If there is a difference between our printed materials and our website, please refer to the website for the most up-to-date program information.