Homewarming Terms and Conditions

AGREEMENT TO TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

By applying to the HomeWarming Program, the Participant agrees to the following terms and conditions governing participation in the program (the “Terms and Conditions”)

DEFINITIONS

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Efficiency Nova Scotia (“ENS”) is operated by EfficiencyOne, a non-profit organization and the official licensee of the Province of Nova Scotia (“PNS”). ENS provides the HomeWarming Program for building envelope upgrades to eligible homeowners (“Participants”) who apply and qualify for enhancements aimed at reducing their energy consumption and increasing energy efficiency. This program is funded by the Province of Nova Scotia and the cost for upgrades including but not limited to draft-proofing and insulation are provided at no cost to the Participant.

Within the HomeWarming Program, ENS also administers the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (“OHPA”) Grant on behalf of Natural Resources Canada (“NRCan”). The OHPA Grant provides additional incentives to eligible Participants who use more than 500 Litres of oil per year toward the costs of switching from Oil Heat to an Electric Heat Pump. The program covers heating system costs up to $30,000 CAD. Costs above and beyond $30,000 CAD are paid for by the Participant. Beyond the OHPA Grant, Participants may be eligible for other funding and incentives as determined by Efficiency Nova Scotia.

ENS has engaged various Delivery Agents across the province to deliver energy efficiency upgrades and heating system renovations in eligible homes, and each Participant is assigned one of the Delivery Agents. Delivery Agents provide the products, plan for any required permits, and manage the installation process.

• First-time Participants - First-time Participants in the HomeWarming Program will be put through NRCan’s residential energy assessment protocol and the EnerGuide Rating System (ERS) to implement the program. These assessments help identify areas for energy improvements in homes and provide homeowners with an ERS rating that reflects their home's energy performance.

• Past Participants - Past Participants of the HomeWarming Program are only eligible for heating system upgrades ill not receive a home energy evaluation.

Participants are eligible to partake in the HomeWarming Program for no cost building envelope upgrades once, and they are eligible to partake in the heating system upgrades once. These can be included in a single application and may be managed as separate projects by Efficiency Nova Scotia.

PROGRAM ENROLLMENT OBLIGATIONS

By submitting an application to the program, the Participant acknowledges that:

• They have reviewed these terms and conditions (the “Terms and Conditions”).

• They own the home listed in the Application, that it is their full-time residence, and that they have no intention of selling the home in the next 12 months.

• To the best of their knowledge, the information that they are providing in their application is true, accurate and complete. Any false or willful misstatement may be cause for the rejection of their application.

• The completed Application Form and all associated documents must be submitted together. An incomplete Application Form, including those that do not meet the Application requirements, may delay processing or render the Application ineligible under the HomeWarming Program.

• By participating in the HomeWarming Program, the Participant understands and agrees that they will NOT be eligible for rebates under Efficiency Nova Scotia’s Home Energy Assessment Program for work completed under the HomeWarming Program. The Participant understands that if they are interested in completing energy efficiency upgrades outside of the scope of the HomeWarming Program, they must contact Efficiency Nova Scotia at 1-877-999-6035 to discuss my eligibility before any upgrades are initiated.

• The assigned Delivery Agent and their partners may take photographs of the Participant’s house (interior and exterior) as well as the work completed for purposes of approval, verification, and evaluation performed by Efficiency Nova Scotia; and

• Participants may be contacted by a representative of Efficiency Nova Scotia and/or its Delivery Agents for a quality assurance assessment of the HomeWarming Program. They may also be contacted by Efficiency Nova Scotia’s evaluator and/or verifier to participate in reviews of HomeWarming Program.

• Participants must contact their home insurance provider before making upgrades to ensure they are covered. Insurance providers can contact the assigned Delivery Agent for product information.

• First-time Participants are required to sign the NRCan ERS Evaluation Authorization Form prior to their Home Energy Assessment. Please note that specific sections of the NRCan ERS Evaluation Authorization Form are not consistent with the objectives and intent of the HomeWarming Program. Consequently, these sections are not applicable to the HomeWarming Terms and Conditions.

• In the event the Participant’s HomeWarming installation is cancelled or terminated for any reason, the Participant agrees to notify Efficiency Nova Scotia of this change in circumstances within 30 days of said termination or cancellation.

• Materials used for upgrades under the HomeWarming Program may trigger or aggravate environmental sensitivities. Efficiency Nova Scotia and its Delivery Agents are not responsible for any adverse reactions that may arise from the use of these materials.

• They are solely responsible for preparing the home to provide adequate space for the Delivery Agents to safely conduct the upgrades to the home. By way of example, if a basement is to be insulated, the Participant is responsible for moving all items away from the basement walls to allow the Delivery Agents to work in the area. If the Participant is not physically capable of moving such items, they may arrange for a neighbour, friend, or family member to do this on their behalf. No such efforts to prepare the house should be made until the Participant is informed by the assigned Delivery Agent that upgrades have been approved by Efficiency Nova Scotia. Note that this will NOT occur at the time of the initial assessment.

For Participants who are applying to receive OHPA funding, The Participant acknowledges and understands that

• Efficiency Nova Scotia will determine OHPA Grant funding based on program and eligibility criteria and the details provided in the Participant’s HomeWarming Application.

• The Participant agrees that Efficiency Nova Scotia will pay the OHPA Grant directly to the Delivery Agent upon completing the heating system upgrade. The Delivery Agent must return the funding to Efficiency Nova Scotia if the heat pump installation is cancelled or terminated.

• The Participant agrees to pay any costs exceeding their approved incentives amount (capped at $30,000 CAD) for the heating system upgrade directly to the Delivery Agent. After the OHPA Grant is issued, the Participant is responsible for any remaining balance due to the Delivery Agent, who may request this as a deposit prior to starting the installation of the heat pump.

Efficiency Nova Scotia acknowledges and agrees to commit to the following obligations:

• ENS will conduct a Home Energy Assessment or site visit to evaluate the feasibility of eligible energy efficiency improvements for the participant’s residence (the “Home Energy Assessment”).

• ENS will review the Home Energy Assessment report and determine what, if any, energy efficiency upgrades under the scope of the HomeWarming Program are appropriate for the Participant’s home. Note: In some cases, no upgrades may be appropriate for the home. Examples include but are not limited to, if the condition of the home is unsuitable, or the home is found to be fully insulated already.

• ENS will verify with the Participant which, if any, energy efficiency upgrades will be undertaken for their home.

• ENS will assign and authorize Delivery Agents to carry out the approved work and communicate this information to the Participant.

The Delivery Agent, their subcontractors, sub-suppliers, agents and representatives have a responsibility to:

• The Delivery Agent will reach out to the Participant to schedule the Energy Assessment (if applicable) and any following appointments to install the approved upgrades.

• The Delivery Agent will supply all necessary materials for energy efficiency upgrades.

• ENS will pay approved incentive amounts directly to the Delivery Agent.

Safety

• Comply with all laws, standards, regulations and directives, whether federal, provincial, municipal, or local.

• Accept responsibility for ensuring that all employees, subcontractors, sub-suppliers, agents and representatives under their direction comply with all federal, provincial, municipal, and local health and safety laws, standards, regulations, and directives, and all health, safety and environmental rules as prescribed by EfficiencyOne.

• Be compliant with the Workers’ Compensation Act of Nova Scotia or other workers’ compensation legislation as may apply to the Service Provider.

• Must be in “Good Standing” with the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia and it shall be the sole responsibility of the Service Provider to ensure same; and

• Notify EfficiencyOne, immediately, of any incidents involving fatality or medical aid, and within 24 hours of any incidents involving lost time or significant property damage.

Sub-Contracting

• The Delivery Agent has the right to hire subcontractors to deliver energy efficiency upgrades and heating system renovations under their Agreement with Efficiency Nova Scotia. The Delivery Agent shall remain responsible to ENS for the performance and quality of all services subcontracted by them.

• The Delivery Agent is responsible for ensuring the subcontractor(s) is/are in “Good Standing” with the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia and shall ensure the subcontractor carries and maintains all required insurance.

• The Delivery Agent is responsible for performing quality assurance checks on all the Services performed by the subcontractor and shall notify EfficiencyOne should any issues arise with respect to the Services as soon as reasonably possible.

Warranty

• The assigned Delivery Agent agrees to warrant all work and services performed pursuant to this Agreement for a period of two (2) years except for Heat Pumps, which will be warrantied for ten (10) years on parts and labour. All goods provided as part of the HomeWarming Program are provided on an “as is” basis.

• Efficiency Nova Scotia makes no warranties, expressed or implied, and Efficiency Nova Scotia disclaims and negates all other warranties, including without limitation, implied or conditions of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose.

• Further, Efficiency Nova Scotia does not warrant or make any representations concerning the accuracy, likely results, or reliability of the use of the products provided under the HomeWarming Program.

DISCLOSURE, AUTHORIZATION & CONSENT

Consent for Collection of Information:

The Participant agrees to the collection of the following information:

• The Participant’s personal information, including the Participant's name, contact details, and billing information;

• The Participant’s energy usage data, including information related to the Participant’s energy consumption before and after upgrades related to the HomeWarming Program;

• and all materials related to the Participant’s Home Energy Assessment.

Purpose of Collected Information:

Efficiency Nova Scotia may collect, use, and disclose the Participant’s personal information solely for the following purposes:

• determine Participant’s eligibility for the HomeWarming Program;

• operate the HomeWarming Program and related OHPA activities;

• assess the Participant’s energy usage before and after participation in the HomeWarming Program and any related upgrades; and

• manage, implement, audit, and evaluate the HomeWarming Program.

Consent for Disclosure of Information to Efficiency Nova Scotia:

The Participant consents to the release of information to Efficiency Nova Scotia as follows:

• the assigned Delivery Agent and its partners may provide all documentation from the Participant’s Home Energy Assessment to Efficiency Nova Scotia for administration and quality assurance relating to the HomeWarming Program; and

• Nova Scotia Power and any companies providing the Participant’s home heating oil or fuel may release the Participant’s personal customer information to Efficiency Nova Scotia as necessary for the HomeWarming

• Program. This includes, without limitation, the Participant’s billing and energy usage data, which is essential for evaluating the HomeWarming Program's effectiveness.

Consent for Sharing Information with Third Parties:

Efficiency Nova Scotia may disclose the Participant’s personal information and other service-related information collected as part of the HomeWarming Program with the following entities:

• the assigned Delivery Agent and its partners;

• Efficiency Nova Scotia and its franchise holder EfficiencyOne; and

• NRCan.

Efficiency Nova Scotia may also disclose the Participant’s personal information (except for certain confidential information, such as any Notice of Assessment or Property Tax Assessment Notice) with the assigned Delivery Agent and its partners. The assigned Delivery Agent and its partners may release all documentation from Participant’s Home Energy Assessment to Efficiency Nova Scotia for program administration and quality assurance.

Information Exchange for Bridgewater Residents:

For Participants who are residents of Bridgewater, NS, service-related information may be exchanged between the Town of Bridgewater, Efficiency Nova Scotia, EfficiencyOne, and NRCan.

Confidentiality

By applying to the HomeWarming Program, I consent to the collection and use of the Participant’s personal information.

For questions or to withdraw consent, the Participant will contact privacy@efficiencyns.ca.

Efficiency Nova Scotia will keep the Participant’s information confidential and will manage it only in line with its Privacy Policies and applicable privacy laws. All information handling complies with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

Waiver and Indemnity

The Participant agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, waive and release Efficiency Nova Scotia, EfficiencyOne, and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, and assigns from any lawsuits, claims, costs, damages, or liabilities, including those arising from personal injury or property damage, in connection with their participation in the HomeWarming Program.

Eligibility and Scope of Upgrades

The Participant acknowledges and agrees that not all eligible homes will receive upgrades or will receive all upgrades identified on a Home Energy Assessment. Recommended scope of work is reviewed and only upgrades that will generate energy savings significant enough to have a positive impact on energy bills will be approved.

To appeal any such decisions, please contact appeals@efficiencyns.ca