WHY DEEP ENERGY RETROFITS (DERS)
MUST BE PRIORITIZED. EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% PASS
What are the three main steps in deep energy retrofitting? - ANS 1. Improving thermal
efficiency of buildings. 2. Electrifying the house to switch off fossil fuel use. 3. Adding a
renewable energy system, typically solar PV.
Why must Canada prioritize Deep Energy Retrofits (DERs)? - ANS To achieve a 40% GHG
reduction by 2030 and net-zero by 2050, as current retrofits are insufficient.
What percentage of energy savings do current retrofits achieve? - ANS Current retrofits
achieve only 17% to 21% energy savings, far below the 50%+ required for net-zero.
How do DERs impact electricity demand growth? - ANS DERs help reduce electricity demand
growth, which is projected to double by 2050 due to electrification.
What are the benefits of deep retrofits for housing quality? - ANS Deep retrofits improve
comfort, indoor air quality, durability, lower operational costs, and higher resale value.
What challenge is associated with current retrofits regarding envelope upgrades? -
ANS There has been a 23% decline in building envelope improvements since the Canada
Greener Homes Grant launched.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Why are shallow retrofits incentivized over deep retrofits? - ANS Shallow retrofits are
cheaper and can meet the 50% savings threshold without improving the building envelope.
What is the current maximum grant amount for the Canada Greener Homes Grant? -
ANS $5,000, which is now worth approximately $3,250 due to inflation.
What is the issue with homeowners completing recommended retrofitting work? - ANS The
percentage of actual savings realized dropped from 86% in 2020 to 58% in 2022.
What support is lacking for deep retrofits in the Canada Greener Homes Grant? - ANS There
is a lack of professional 'navigator/concierge' support for planning and managing deep retrofits.
What equity gap exists in the Canada Greener Homes Grant? - ANS Low-income and
Indigenous households cannot participate because the program requires homeowner capital.
What is a key shortcoming of the Canada Greener Homes Program? - ANS The incentive
structure biases against envelope-first retrofits, leading to sub-optimal energy efficiency.
How long would it take to retrofit all Canadian homes at the current pace? - ANS It would
take over a century to retrofit all homes, as only 700,000 retrofits are planned in 7 years for
~11.6 million homes.
What is a performance-based incentive? - ANS Incentives that reward energy savings
outcomes rather than specific upgrades.
What policy recommendation could help achieve DERs at scale? - ANS Increase the maximum
grant significantly, aligning with European programs.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
MUST BE PRIORITIZED. EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% PASS
What are the three main steps in deep energy retrofitting? - ANS 1. Improving thermal
efficiency of buildings. 2. Electrifying the house to switch off fossil fuel use. 3. Adding a
renewable energy system, typically solar PV.
Why must Canada prioritize Deep Energy Retrofits (DERs)? - ANS To achieve a 40% GHG
reduction by 2030 and net-zero by 2050, as current retrofits are insufficient.
What percentage of energy savings do current retrofits achieve? - ANS Current retrofits
achieve only 17% to 21% energy savings, far below the 50%+ required for net-zero.
How do DERs impact electricity demand growth? - ANS DERs help reduce electricity demand
growth, which is projected to double by 2050 due to electrification.
What are the benefits of deep retrofits for housing quality? - ANS Deep retrofits improve
comfort, indoor air quality, durability, lower operational costs, and higher resale value.
What challenge is associated with current retrofits regarding envelope upgrades? -
ANS There has been a 23% decline in building envelope improvements since the Canada
Greener Homes Grant launched.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Why are shallow retrofits incentivized over deep retrofits? - ANS Shallow retrofits are
cheaper and can meet the 50% savings threshold without improving the building envelope.
What is the current maximum grant amount for the Canada Greener Homes Grant? -
ANS $5,000, which is now worth approximately $3,250 due to inflation.
What is the issue with homeowners completing recommended retrofitting work? - ANS The
percentage of actual savings realized dropped from 86% in 2020 to 58% in 2022.
What support is lacking for deep retrofits in the Canada Greener Homes Grant? - ANS There
is a lack of professional 'navigator/concierge' support for planning and managing deep retrofits.
What equity gap exists in the Canada Greener Homes Grant? - ANS Low-income and
Indigenous households cannot participate because the program requires homeowner capital.
What is a key shortcoming of the Canada Greener Homes Program? - ANS The incentive
structure biases against envelope-first retrofits, leading to sub-optimal energy efficiency.
How long would it take to retrofit all Canadian homes at the current pace? - ANS It would
take over a century to retrofit all homes, as only 700,000 retrofits are planned in 7 years for
~11.6 million homes.
What is a performance-based incentive? - ANS Incentives that reward energy savings
outcomes rather than specific upgrades.
What policy recommendation could help achieve DERs at scale? - ANS Increase the maximum
grant significantly, aligning with European programs.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
