Free energy advice? P.E.I. has you covered

Every P.E.I. homeowner will soon have free access to a website to help determine how much money you can save by improving the energy efficiency of your home.

P.E.I. will be the first jurisdiction to offer every resident My Energy Xpert.

The online application will allow you to enter information on your home including insulation, windows and appliances and then add energy saving items such as LED lightbulbs, insulation or energy-efficient appliances.

"It's not a full-blown energy audit but it gives them enough of the information that they're looking for that they can start to make better decisions," said Mike Proud, manager of Efficiency PEI.

"If you decide to go ahead with that then they'll be links on our web site in terms of what the rebates are for doing that kind of work. It'll handhold you right through the whole process: from designing what you want to do, determining what your savings are going to be, and then accessing the rebates."

Efficiency PEI hopes the software will give more homeowners access to the province's rebate program. Proud said many people make changes without knowing they could get get money back simply by applying to theoffice.

The province has alsoloosened the rebate program rulesremoving some of the caps onhow much homeowners could get back.

A small group of Islanders is testing the software now, and the program will roll out later this year.

In addition to paying a fee to have the site tailored for Islanders, the province will pay a fee for each homeowner that uses the site.

Once your information is saved you can go back and add or subtract items to see what difference they will make with future renovations.

The site will also offer the option of ordering products and equipment, however homeowners are free to make purchases on their own as well.

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