Turning an energy upgrade into everyday comfort
HOME ENERGY AND RESILIENCE UPGRADES
Home-energy upgrade financing program
Ontario
When Adam and his family moved into their Guelph home in 2023, they knew one big project was looming. The furnace was nearly two decades old and unlikely to last much longer. Adam, who had already installed a heat pump in his previous home, hoped to avoid simply replacing the aging system with another conventional furnace.
“We’d already been through the process once,” Adam recalls. “We knew about the audits, the rebates, and the loans. When the furnace died that first fall, it just accelerated our timelines.”
Finding the right fit
That timing led Adam to Guelph Greener Homes, delivered by the City of Guelph. The program helps homeowners make energy upgrades by combining rebates, zero-interest loans, and technical support.
For Adam, the program was a perfect match. “It was really the combination of cost and environmental impact,” he explains. “In milder weather, the home runs on the efficient heat pump, which is better economically and environmentally.”
Through Guelph Greener Homes, Adam replaced the aging furnace and air conditioner with a new heat pump that now supplies most of the family’s heating and cooling needs, with a secondary system available for the very coldest days. He also swapped out the natural gas water tank for a tankless unit and looked at options like solar panels, a heat pump water heater, and an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). Some of those upgrades would have required an electrical panel upgrade, so Adam decided to focus first on the heat pump and ERV.
A straightforward process
Having been through retrofit programs before, Adam says Guelph’s program stood out for its ease. “The city was responsive to questions, the portal was easy to use, and the communication was clear,” he says. He was also surprised by how inclusive the program felt. “Some items we weren’t sure would qualify—like the ERV—ended up being covered. That was a nice surprise.”
The program also allows participants to request part of the loan upfront to help with contractor deposits. Adam says that option can make a big difference for homeowners who might not be able to pay contractors before rebates or loans come through. “That’s where the program really helps,” he says.
Rebate funding through Enbridge took longer—several months and two rounds of energy audits—but the Guelph Greener Homes loan moved quickly. “It was about a month from submitting everything in the portal to having the money in my account,” Adam says.
Comfort without compromise
Since installing the new system, Adam says the day-to-day experience feels seamless. “We just set the thermostat, and it decides which equipment to use based on outdoor temperature,” he explains. “From our perspective, it feels just like having a normal furnace. The difference is what’s happening behind the scenes.”
Bills are harder to compare—the family moved into a bigger house and bought an electric vehicle around the same time—but Adam believes the upgrades have lowered their reliance on fossil fuels significantly. “We expect our energy costs are lower than they would have been,” he says. “And overall, the savings outweigh the increased electricity consumption”
Lessons learned
Looking back, Adam says there are a few things he would encourage other homeowners to keep in mind. The first is to get multiple quotes. “At our old house, one contractor didn’t even seem to know what a heat pump was. Another came in, looked around, and knew exactly what to do. Without asking the right questions, you can end up with an outdated system,” he explains.
He also stresses the importance of planning upgrades before equipment fails. “If your furnace is on its last legs, don’t wait for it to break. Planning ahead gives you more options,” he says.
Finally, Adam encourages homeowners to think about the bigger picture when scheduling upgrades. For example, if you’re considering solar panels, it’s important to ensure the roof is in good condition first. “You don’t want to install panels if you’ll need to replace the shingles in a few years,” he adds.
A program that lowers barriers
One of the program’s biggest advantages, Adam says, is that the loan is tied to the property tax bill rather than the individual. That means if you sell your home before the loan is fully repaid, the next homeowner simply continues the payments. “You’re not left paying for upgrades that someone else is benefiting from,” he explains.
It’s a model he believes could work across Canada. “Being able to repay your loan through your property tax bill makes it simple—just one less thing to manage. And the environmental benefits are clear. It just makes sense.”
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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