Making home energy upgrades more accessible in Saskatoon
CLIMATE ADAPTATION
Energy upgrades can lower bills and emissions, but upfront costs can put them out of reach for households. The City of Saskatoon’s Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) is Saskatchewan’s first PACE program—helping homeowners complete energy-saving retrofits that make homes more comfortable and yield real cost savings. Partially supported by nearly $11 million in GMF funding, the program is designed for single-family homes and offers flexible repayment options so more households can take part.
From the start, HELP was meant to be accessible for everyday homeowners, so economic concerns were at the heart of its design. The program reduces barriers for lower-income households through waived administration fees, free services and upgrades, and connections to SaskPower’s Energy Assistance Program for coaching and additional support—ensuring all residents can start their projects faster.
HELP quickly exceeded expectations, becoming oversubscribed in its first year and expanding from a pilot into a four-year initiative. Since then, the city has committed an additional $20 million to continue it long-term. Homeowners have reported lower energy bills and more comfortable homes after upgrades, and the program is anticipated to help reduce energy use by more than 14,300 GJ per year and generate 640 kW of renewable energy—showing how accessible financing can turn individual home improvements into broader community impact.
Want to explore all GMF-funded projects? Check out the Projects Database for a complete overview of funded projects and get inspired by municipalities of all sizes, across Canada.
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