Homeowners in Calgary can now apply for loans to help with energy-efficient home upgrades

Applications are now open for the City of Calgary's Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP), which provides financial assistance to Calgary homeowners who want to make their homes more energy efficient.

Five years in the making, the program allows homeowners to apply for up to $50,000 in low-interest loans from the city for green energy upgrades to their properties.

Participants can write off the cost on their property tax bill and pay it back for up to 20 years. It is also possible to repay it in full at any time without penalty.

“It's really about helping homeowners reduce their greenhouse gas emissions while lowering their energy bills and making their homes more comfortable,” said Carly Beaver, Calgary-based corporate environmental specialist and CEIP program manager.

Eligible projects include adding solar panels, increasing insulation, upgrading lighting fixtures, purchasing a tankless hot water system, and more. included.

During a four-year pilot project, the $15 million program is expected to help about 800 homeowners with the cost of upgrades, Beaver said.

Mayor Jyoti Gondek says Calgarians want to make energy-efficient upgrades to their homes, but the cost can be prohibitive — especially with inflation.

“Because this program is available to them, they can upgrade what they want right away and pay it back slowly through their property tax bill,” Gondek said.

The program is funded by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. It is run by Alberta Municipalities, which has launched CEIP in a number of other Alberta cities, including Canmore, Edmonton and Lethbridge.

Application process

The first step is to submit a pre-qualification application to the program, says Beaver.

Homeowners should then take an EnerGuide home assessment, “to learn about their home's energy performance and understand the best home improvement options,” says Beaver.

Working with a qualified program instructor, the homeowner submits a project application with proposed upgrades.

“If approved and everything is in order, they will enter into a clean energy improvement agreement with the city, which is a funding agreement for their approved project.”

After the upgrades are installed, the homeowner submits the final forms, completes a post-project home assessment, and receives an updated sign on their home.

“Then they go through a repayment process over time, where they pay off the financing through their property tax bill, which is very convenient for homeowners,” Beaver said.

When it comes to saving on energy costs, Beaver says a home appraisal consultant can advise Calgarians on which types of projects will save the most.