Applications are now open for several HAT Smart funding incentive programs designed to help fund water and energy conservation projects in Medicine Hat. Lara Wasylyshen helps to instal insulation at a Habitat for Humanity house in the Flats in this January 2013 file photo.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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Funding is available for Hatters looking to make environmental and energy-conscious upgrades to their homes and new builds through one of five separate 2026 HAT Smart incentives.
The program was created to support residential renewable energy projects throughout the city by offering financial incentives as well as raising awareness and education on reducing use of non-renewable energy.
This year the HAT Smart program has a total incentive budget of $375,000, funded through a collection of an Environmental Conservation Charge levied to residential water, natural gas and electric customers.
This year the five incentive programs include funding for existing homes, new homes, EnerGuide evaluations, water conservation, as well as an opportunity to ‘scratch and win.’
Under the existing home incentive homeowners can apply for a rebate of up to $5,000 for eligible retrofits that include home insulation, windows, doors, tankless water heaters and solar PV systems.
Residents moving into a brand new home can apply for a rebate of up to $10,000 for construction of more energy efficient homes. The city says the rebate funding will be based on the level of energy saving achieved for the construction of a new home.
The HAT Smart’s water conservation incentive gives residents a rebate up to a lifetime maxim of $1,000 per household to convert “thirsty lawns” and gardens into xeriscape-style landscapes.
The city will offer rebates for an assortment of water reduction landscape strategies, such as hard and soft scape materials – landscape fabric and drought tolerant turf – as well as irrigation control systems, rainwater capture and composting.
Residents can also receive a rebate credit to their utility account of $250 through HAT Smart’s EnerGuide Home Evaluation incentive program. The rebate will be applied if pre and post construction evaluations are completed by a qualified evaluator with a City of Medicine Hat business licence.
To help residents cover the cost of small-ticket energy conservation products like energy-efficient light bulbs, programmable thermostats and ENERGY STAR certified appliances, the HAT Smart program allows residents to apply twice each year to recover $100 for each application through the scratch and win program.
More details on how to apply for the incentive programs, as well as a full list of eligible products that qualify for the ‘scratch and win’ program, visit HAT Smart’s webpage at hatsmart.ca, or call 403-529-8244.
Last year HAT Smart distributed more than $174,000 to property owners who made energy-conscious upgrades. More than half of that funding, or about $96,000 was distributed through the ‘existing homes’ incentive program.
