Guelph Greener Homes

A greener Guelph begins at home

We are now accepting applications to the Guelph Greener Homes program.

Helping Guelph go green, one home at a time

A greener future begins at home. In support of Race To Zero, the City plans to offer a zero-interest loan to residential property owners in Guelph to help cover the costs of residential energy efficiency upgrades. The launch of Guelph Greener Homes will help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and make homes more energy-efficient, comfortable, and climate-friendly.

Program highlights

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make your home more comfortable.

Energy and utility cost savings.

More affordable low carbon retrofits for your home.

Who’s eligible?

Residential low-rise buildings in Guelph with a property tax account with the City;
All registered owner(s) of the property must consent to participating in the Program;
Properties with no back taxes or liens or title disputes;
Property must be more than five (5) years old;
The home improvements haven’t started yet.

Loan program

The Guelph Greener Homes Program offers a 0% interest loan to help Guelph households cover the cost of energy-efficiency upgrades to their homes.

0% interest
Up to $50,000
10-year payback (added to the property tax bill)
Lump sum repayments limited to one time in a year are allowed
A program administration fee of $500 will apply.

Loan term 10 years; Interest rate 0%; Program administration fee $500 (will be added to the funding amount approved by the City); Maximum loan amount $50,000 (inclusive of the program fees); Initial deposit/down payment amount is 20% of the total project cost up to a maximum of $10,000.

Grant program

The Guelph Greener Homes Program offers a grant (up to $15,000) to low-income applicants for air-source heat pumps. These grants are for property owners who are primary residents of their owned property, and whose household income fits within levels as defined in the table below and the current value assessment (CVA) of the property is equal to or less than $350,000. The CVA can be found on your City of Guelph property tax bill.

Number of people in the home	Before-tax household income
1	$42,437
2	$60,014
3	$73,501
4	$84,872
5	$94,890
6	$103,947
7+	$112,275

The Guelph Greener Homes program Low-income grants is subject to availability.

No program administration fee will apply.

Loan term 10 years; Program administration fee $0; Interest rate 0%; Maximum loan amount $50,000; Initial deposit/down payment amount is 30% of the total project cost to a maximum of $10,000

Eligible measures

Guelph Greener Homes Efficiency Upgrade Measures infographic

Building envelope

Thermal insulation
Air-sealing
Window and door repair/replacement, and more!

Heating systems

Air source heat pumps and cold climate air source heat pumps
Heat pump water heaters
Heat recovery systems

Control systems

Smart or programmable thermostats (eligible only if combined with any other eligible home improvements)

Renewable energy systems

Solar photovoltaic systems
Solar hot water systems

Information brochures

Did you know…

There are other energy grant and loan programs. The Guelph Greener Homes program is being designed to work with these other programs to make more supports available for homes in Guelph.

$25,000 energy project cost minus $10,000 other grants or loans (Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate Plus, Canada Greener Homes Loan) equals $15000 Guelph Greener Homes loan

The values in this diagram are for example purposes and these values are subject to change as per the project parameters.

Here are some useful links:

The EnerGuide home evaluation provides a standard measure of a home’s energy performance and is carried out by an energy advisor who is registered with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). Under the Guelph Greener Homes Program, the property owner(s) is required to hire an energy advisor who is registered by NRCan to perform a pre-project EnerGuide home evaluation and, after the home improvements are complete, a post-project EnerGuide home evaluation. Please choose from the list of certified energy advisors.

All eligibility and performance criteria for the Canada Greener Homes Grant and Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate Plus requirements apply to the Guelph Greener Homes program.

Let’s fight fraud together!

Scams and fraudulent tactics can be quite believable and can happen to any of us. To protect yourself and others, we need to know the warning signs.

Refuse any in-home inspection from a door-to-door salesperson
Never sign anything
Do your research and double-check everything
Know your weaknesses
Avoid giving out personal information, online, over the phone or in person
Report suspected scams
Help others

How to recognize energy scams.

For more information

For more information about the Guelph Greener Homes program contact [email protected] or 519-822-1260 extension 3984.

This project was carried out with assistance from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund, an endowment created by the Government of Canada.