NEW HOMES PROGRAM

Prescriptive and Performance Paths

PRESCRIPTIVE PATH PERFORMANCE PATH

The Prescriptive Path offers a uniform set of 10 building
and technology upgrades consistent with an overall energy
performance at least 20 per cent better than minimum building
code requirements.
Each home built with these 10 upgrades will be eligible
for a $1,200 rebate.
The upgrades include:
1. Increased attic insulation: R58 effective
2. Increased exterior above grade wall insulation: R17 effective
3. Increased basement insulation and floor header (rim joist)
insulation: R18 effective
4. Basement slab edge thermal break: R5 effective
5. Tested air tightness of less than 1.5 air changes per hour
6. Triple glazed, low-e, argon fill windows, with low conductivity
frame and spacer
7. High efficiency heat recovery ventilation (HRV) with SRE
65 per cent or better
8. Advanced HRV controls1
9. LED lighting throughout (minimum of 25 sockets)
10. Reduced Thermal Bridging2
1
Controls with the ability to operate the HRV in standby mode
(no low speed fan) or intermittent operation (20 minutes on per hour)
and still run if required by the de-humidistat or the bathroom controls.
2
Four or more measures identified and incorporated in the new house, as
selected from the Thermal Bridging Reduction Checklist of 10 measures
found at hydro.mb.ca/newhomes and attested to by the Builder at
project completion.
The Performance Path is for customized, energy efficient
homes designed with energy modeling. This path allows
the builder to select their own approach to design and
construction and incorporate any energy-saving
technologies as desired.
Homes built pursuant to other efficiency program
specifications or approaches are also welcome to apply.
These may include, but are not limited to: Passive House,
Energy Star for New Homes, LEED, BuiltGreen, Net Zero
Energy Ready and Net Zero Energy Homes.
The Performance Path provides a scaled base incentive
plus a rebate for the costs of energy modeling in homes.
Homes must achieve a rating of at least 20 per cent more
efficient than the minimum local building code requirements,
and measured by Natural Resources Canada’s EnerGuide
Rating System.
Base incentive + Energy modeling rebate
The maximum combination of base incentive plus energy
modeling rebate payable under the New Homes Program
is $12,000.
See the New Homes Program Incentive Structure chart for
more details.

Geothermal heat pumps:

To qualify for Performance Path, the home must be at least
30 per cent more efficient than minimum building code
requirements.

For more information on meeting prescriptive requirements

or for any substitutions and trade-offs allowed through the
program, visit hydro.mb.ca/newhomes or
email newhomesprogram@hydro.mb.ca.

October 2018
Available in accessible formats upon request.
New Homes Program
Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the program?

A: The New Homes Program is an incentive program for Manitoba homebuilders. It is designed to
encourage builders to construct homes that are at least 20 per cent more efficient than the typical
home built to the Manitoba Building Code. The program offers a unique incremental incentive
structure with progressively larger incentives for greater levels of performance.

Q: Who can participate?

A: Any homebuilder in Manitoba may participate in the program.
Q: As a homeowner, I plan to have a new home built. Can my builder construct a
home for me that qualifies for the program?
A: Yes, simply tell your builder that you want your home to meet Manitoba Hydro’s energy efficiency
standards and have them send in an application. If you are acting as the general contractor on your
own build, you may submit the application on your own behalf.

Q: What are the program steps?

A: Participating builders will construct homes according to the Prescriptive Path, or work with an
energy modeler to design and construct a home under the Performance Path. Applications should
be submitted during the design phase. Submission requirements will depend on the path chosen.
Once the home is completed, a licensed evaluator will assess the energy performance of the home
including testing for air tightness. Once it is confirmed that the home meets Manitoba Hydro’s
energy efficiency standards, certification documents are provided and the incentive will be paid.

Q: How would a home qualify for the New Homes Program?

A: A home may qualify in one of three ways:
• It includes all the energy-saving elements under the Prescriptive Path;
• It was certified by the Energy Star for New Homes program in the last 90 days; or
• It is designed with energy modeling, and achieves a rating of at least 20% more energy efficient
than minimum building code requirements.

Q: How much is the incentive?

A: The minimum available incentive is $1,200. Higher-performing homes can earn a higher,
performance-based incentive including energy modeling fees. The maximum incentive under
the program is $12,000.
Q: What technologies are required under the Prescriptive Path?
A: • Increased attic insulation: R58 effective
• Increased exterior above grade wall insulation: R17 effective
• Increased basement insulation and floor header (rim joist) insulation: R18 effective
• Basement slab edge thermal break: R5 effective
• Tested air tightness of less than 1.5 air changes per hour
• Triple glazed, low-e, argon fill windows, with low conductivity frame and spacer
• High efficiency heat recovery ventilation (HRV) with SRE 65 per cent or better
• Advanced HRV controls¹
• LED lighting throughout (minimum of 25 sockets)
• Reduced thermal bridging²

1
Advanced HRV Controls with the ability to operate the HRV in standby mode (no low speed fan) or intermittent operation (20 minutes on per hour) and still run
if required by the de-humidistat or the bathroom controls.
2
Four or more elements from the Thermal Bridging Reduction Checklist found at hydro.mb.ca/newhomes and appended to the Prescriptive Path Completion
Declaration, attested to by the builder at project completion.

Q: Are row homes or townhouses eligible?

A: Yes, we will accept applications for residential occupancy buildings where Part 9
of the National Building Code (NBC) is applied. The building must be intended to serve as
a primary residence.

For more information on Part 9 buildings, see http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/publications/

codes_centre/2010_national_building_code.html

Q: Are rental properties eligible?

A: Homes intended to be used as rental properties are eligible, as long as they are considered
residential Part 9 buildings in the National Building Code.

Q: Are seasonal residences eligible for the incentive?

A: No, seasonal residences are not eligible.
Q: Are homes utilizing geothermal heat pumps eligible?
A: Yes, but the home must meet a certain minimum performance level when modeled with a
non-heat pump technology. This is to ensure building envelope performance takes precedence
over the performance of an individual technology.

Q: What if I have additional questions?

A: For more information on the New Homes Program,
email newhomesprogram@hydro.mb.ca.

October 2018
Available in accessible formats upon request.
NEW HOMES PROGRAM
Incentive Structure

ENERGY ENERGY MODELING TOTAL AVAILABLE

PERFORMANCE* BASE INCENTIVE REBATE** INCENTIVE

Prescriptive / Energy Star® $1,200.00 n/a $1,200.00

20% better than $1,200.00 $300.00 $1,500.00

25% better than $1,300.00 $300.00 $1,600.00

30% better than $1,450.00 $300.00 $1,750.00

35% better than $1,600.00 $500.00 $2,100.00

40% better than $1,750.00 $500.00 $2,250.00

45% better than $2,250.00 $500.00 $2,750.00

50% better than $2,750.00 $500.00 $3,250.00

55% better than $3,250.00 $500.00 $3,750.00

60% better than $3,750.00 $750.00 $4,500.00

65% better than $4,500.00 $750.00 $5,250.00

70% better than $5,250.00 $750.00 $6,000.00

75% better than $6,000.00 $750.00 $6,750.00

80% better than $6,750.00 $750.00 $7,500.00

85% better than $7,750.00 $750.00 $8,500.00

90% better than $8,750.00 $750.00 $9,500.00

95% better than $10,000.00 $750.00 $10,750.00

100% better than $11,250.00 $750.00 $12,000.00

*relative to the minimum code house for the jursidiction, and measured by the EnerGuide Rating System
**energy modeling rebate not to exceed 100% of actual project modeling costs

For more information on the New Homes Program,

email newhomesprogram@hydro.mb.ca
or visit hydro.mb.ca/newhomes.

October 2018
Available in accessible formats upon request.