An estimated 180 Lethbridge homeowners will be eligible for funding from the Clean Energy Improvement Program. (Photo: Welcomia | Dreamstime.com)

By Sarah Jones

Lethbridge homeowners eligible for Clean Energy Improvement loans

Feb 28, 2023 | 2:17 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge homeowners can apply for financial support to create energy efficient and renewable energy upgrades to their properties.

The City of Lethbridge has received $3.8 million from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Green Municipal Fund to support the implementation of a Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) for residential properties.

The loans can apply to upgrading windows, doors, adding solar panels, increasing insulation, improving lighting fixtures, installing a tankless hot water system and more.

The CEIP allows homeowners to apply for low interest financing from the City, with repayment collected through property tax bills during a span of up to 20 years, depending on the expected life of the improvement.

There is also an option to repay it in full at any time without penalty and the financing can be transferred to the next owner if the home sells.

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Assessment and Taxation Manager and local CEIP Program Manager Larry Laverty said, “Clean energy improvements will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and can lead to reduced energy costs for the property owner, so we are very excited to offer this program.”

“This is a great opportunity for those homeowners thinking about renovations to consider choices for better energy performance and to lower their utility bills,” explained Laverty.

The program has been in development since 2018 and will be a four-year pilot project, It is expected to help an estimated 180 Lethbridge homeowners with the cost of upgrades.

The City of Lethbridge has opened applications for the Clean Energy Improvement Program which will provide homeowners with a financial tool to support energy efficient upgrades. (Photo: City of Lethbridge)

Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen said, “Not only will this program help property owners with energy bill savings and provide low-interest financing, the CEIP will help support our local economy.”

Hyggen adds, “This is wonderful news for our community for those looking to make more affordable home upgrades, as well as for the work being created for local energy efficiency and renewable energy contractors.”

In order to qualify for financing, participants must install eligible upgrades with a minimum cost of $3,000, but homeowners should be aware that many of the enhancements will require permits from the City before being provided with funding.

There is a maximum of $50,000 of eligible costs per property, but the annual Clean Energy Improvement Tax cannot exceed the property’s annual municipal property tax payment.

Laverty added, “If a project application is approved, the property owner enters into a Clean Energy Improvement Agreement with the City, which is essentially their financing agreement for their approved upgrades. Once the upgrades are installed, the homeowner will submit final forms and undergo a post-project home evaluation.”

Local contractors, who include energy efficiency and renewable energy in their services, are also encouraged to apply to be listed as a qualified contractor on the program website in order to install upgrades for CEIP projects.

Availability for the financial support is limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

To learn more information or review the terms and conditions for eligibility details go to the City of Lethbridge website.

Read more at Lethbridge News Now.