Geothermal Rebate Program Application Instructions

Step 1

Read the program eligibility criteria, application and agreement

• Program eligibility criteria
• Form A Application and Agreement/ General Terms and Conditions

Step 2

Determine which one of the following customer classification sector represents your building:

Electric sector

Electric sector customers must meet one of the following:

• The cost to run natural gas to the building site is more than $9,000
• The building has used electricity, oil, wood, or propane as the primary-space heating fuel for the previous five years of operation

Natural gas sector

Natural gas sector customers must meet the following criteria:

• The building is a new construction; it costs less than $9,000 to run natural gas to the building site
• The building is existing but is not heated (will be treated as a new construction)

Ineligible buildings: Existing buildings currently heated by natural gas will not be eligible for Feasibility Study Assistance or a Commercial Geothermal Rebate

If you are unsure of the availability of a natural gas distribution pipeline in proximity to your building site, please contact your local SaskEnergy district office. If you have any questions regarding specific project eligibility, please contact Saskatchewan Research Council at 306-933-5400 and indicate that you are calling regarding the Commercial Geothermal Program

Step 3

Apply for feasibility study assistance

• This step is optional for electric sector customers (skip to step 4 if a feasibility study is not desired by the customer)
• This step is mandatory for natural gas sector customers
  
  Note: A qualifying feasibility study comparing the economics of providing the building's base-heating load with geothermal, electricity and natural gas is a necessary prerequisite for natural gas sector customers.
  
  Saskatchewan Research Council will review the feasibility study to ensure the project meets program objectives and SRC will determine if the project is eligible for a System Installation Rebate.

1. Have an engineer or an architect (who is registered and actively practicing in Saskatchewan) prepare a Feasibility Study Proposal Application (Form I) and forward it to SRC. Keep a copy of the completed Feasibility Study Proposal for your records.
   
   Note: Feasibility study assistance is not available for projects in progress or already completed
2. Attach a preliminary copy of the building heat-loss calculation, which includes a summary breakdown of the unoccupied base transmission and infiltration loads
3. If the Feasibility Study Proposal is approved, SRC will contact the customer and/or engineer/architect authorizing the feasibility study and will advise of the amount of the approved feasibility study assistance
4. The engineer/architect must prepare the Feasibility Study Report, as per the SaskPower/SRC template available online; affix his/her professional seal and the company's certificate of authorization; and, forward copies of the report to the customer and SRC
5. Once the engineer/architect has fulfilled all of the SRC requirements for a completed Feasibility Study, SRC will provide written notification to the customer along with instructions regarding payment of study assistance
6. At this point, the customer will need to pay the engineer's/architect's fee and submit proof of full payment to SRC. Saskatchewan Research Council will then forward the Feasibility Study Assistance cheque to the customer
7. The Feasibility Study will be evaluated by SRC to determine if the project is eligible for a System Installation Rebate (step 4). Only new construction projects that can demonstrate a reduction in electrical energy and demand for base-building envelope heating load (transmission and infiltration) will be deemed eligible for financial rebates
   
   Note: Ensure you receive this written project eligibility approval prior to advancing to step 4.
8. Complete and submit a copy of the signed waiver form (part of Form A) allowing SRC to access data regarding customer utility records

Step 4

Apply for system installation rebate

This step must be completed before purchasing or installing any portion of the geothermal heat-pump system.

1. On the Commercial Geothermal Rebate Program Application and Agreement (Form A), print the customer's name, project site information, CGC accredited installer and professional designer
2. Complete Conditional System Installation Rebate Calculation Summary (Form B)
3. Attach a copy of the building heat-loss calculation, which includes a summary breakdown of the unoccupied base transmission and infiltration loads
4. If you are requesting exemption from the professional designer requirement, attach written documentation as to which exemption rule applies to your project and indicate the CGC accredited residential and small-system designer chosen to perform the system design (this exemption will not apply to most projects)
5. Sign the customer acknowledgement section.
6. Forward the completed application forms (Forms A & B) to:
   Saskatchewan Research Council
   Commercial Geothermal Rebate Program
   Alternative Energy
   115-15 Innovation Blvd.
   Saskatoon, SK
   S7N 2X8
7. Saskatchewan Research Council will review the application, and if in agreement, will approve the conditional System Installation Rebate. Saskatchewan Research Council will advise the customer of the project rebate approval and give written permission to commence the installation of the geothermal heat-pump system

Step 5

Project completion and documentation

• After written approval is received (step 4), system installation can commence
• Once installation of the geothermal heat-pump system is complete, the customer and/or installer/engineer must perform an inspection and complete the Completion Declaration, which certifies that all equipment for which a System Installation Rebate has been applied for have been installed and are fully operational

Required system installation rebate documents

The following documents must be completed and sent to SRC (mailing address above) at the completion of the project:

1. Completion Declaration (Form C)—customer completes
2. Completion Questionnaire (Form D)—customer completes
3. Installed Equipment Summary (Form E)—installer and/or designer completes
4. Project System Design Summary (Form F)—installer and/or designer completes
   Note: The four documents requested above will be sent to the customer after initial project approval in Step 4e
5. Copies of the paid project invoices
6. Start-up verification and manufacturer test data sheets (performance specs) in accordance with ARI/ISO 13256-1 (forced air)/13256-2 (water-to-water)
7. Copy of the Certificate of Approval (electrical inspection)
8. Copy of Occupancy Certificate (not required for existing retrofits where one is not issued)
9. Copy of Water Rights Licence to Use Ground Water and Approval to Operate Works for Heating/Cooling Purposes from Saskatchewan Watershed Authority (open loop well-to-well systems only)

All documentation requested above must be completed in full and forwarded to SRC prior to final approval.

Step 6

Potential Post Installation Site Visit and Final Rebate Approval

Final walk through

After SRC has received the documentation requested in step 5, a SaskPower/SRC representative may visit the site and conduct a final walk through to confirm the make and models of the geothermal heat-pump equipment installed.

Photo submission

Submitting photos of construction and the completed project may expedite payment (provide signed letter indicating that SaskPower and SRC may use submitted photos for program promotion and presentations).

Final rebate calculation

The conditional System Installation Rebate may be adjusted (increased or decreased) if the actual system and installed equipment or building design has changed. The final System Installation Rebate amount will then be calculated and approved. The rebate cheque will then be processed and paid to the customer.

If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact the Saskatchewan Research Council.