Better Homes Burlington - Incentives and Resources

Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) Program

The Canada Greener Homes Grant is being co-delivered by Natural Resources Canada and Enbridge Gas in Ontario under the Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) Program. As of January 4, 2023, Ontario homeowners must apply through the Enbridge Gas Home Energy Rebate Plus program (HER+) to be considered for both the provincial grant program, HER+, and the federal grant initiative, the Canada Greener Homes Grant.

The HER+ Program offers up to $10,000 in rebates and grants for eligible home retrofits and up to $600 as a maximum contribution toward the total cost of your pre and post retrofit EnerGuide evaluations.

Greener Homes Canada Grant Eligibility:

• Homeowners must provide proof of ownership and show that the home is their primary resident
• You do not need to be an Enbridge Customer to qualify for this grant

Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate Eligibility

• Enbridge Gas customers who are the homeowner and primary resident, or who rents the residence to tenants
• Homeowners who do not heat their home with Enbridge Gas and are the primary resident
• Communities not currently connected to the North American electrical grid nor to the piped natural gas network, living in a permanent or long-term (5+ years) settlement with at least ten dwellings
• Owners in some low-rise and mixed-use properties. See details

Eligible Rebates Include:

• Home Energy Assessment* required to receive grants/rebates
• Home insulation
• Air sealing
• Space and water heating
• Solar panels
• Smart thermostat
• Windows and doors
• Weatherproofing

Canada Greener Homes Loan

The Canada Greener Homes Loan is an interest-free loan of up to $40,000 with a repayment term of 10 years, open to homeowners who have an active application (at the pre-retrofit stage) with the Canada Greener Homes Grant.

Loan details:

• Amount: $5,000 – $40,000*
• *The maximum eligible loan amount is calculated based on the retrofits selected in the application and the quotes for this work. 
• Repayment term: 10 years, interest-free
• Loan type: unsecured personal loan on approved credit

Eligibility:

• You must be eligible for and apply for the Canada Greener Homes Grant or the equivalent provincial program
• You must be a Canadian homeowner, and your home must be your primary residents
• Individual homeowners living in a low-rise multi-unit resident building must meet the additional eligibility criteria outlined in the Canada Greener Homes Grant
• You have completed a pre-retrofit evaluation of your home dated April 1 2020, or later
• You have good credit history and aren’t under:
  • A consumer proposal
  • an orderly payment of debt program
  • a bankruptcy or equivalent insolvency proceeding

Enbridge Sustain

Enbridge Sustain offers custom energy solutions, end-to-end services and financing to help homeowners make their homes more energy-efficient 

Energy solutions include:

• Geothermal/ground-source heat pumps
• Hybrid heating with air-source heat pumps
• Solar options including solar photovoltaic (PV) panels
• At-home EV charging stations

Financing:

• Choose from flexible financing options and rental agreements.
• Equipment contracts typically match the expected product life (15 – 25 years)

Smart Thermostat Program

Enbridge Gas customers who live in a detached, semi-detached or row townhomes can get an instant rebate towards a qualifying smart thermostat purchase at specific retailers.

Burlington residents could be eligible to receive:

• $75 instant discount when you buy a smart thermostat

Peak Perks

Participants in Peak Perks save with their smart thermostats by participating in brief, time-limited thermostat adjustments during periods of peak electricity demand that can occur on the hottest summer days. 

You will receive a $75 virtual prepaid MasterCard® when you enroll in the program, and a $20 virtual prepaid MasterCard® for each additional year you stay enrolled.

Eligibility requirements:

• Be a residential electricity customer in Ontario with central air conditioning that is controlled by your smart thermostat. Heat pumps that are part of central air conditioning are also eligible.
• Have an eligible Wi-Fi enabled smart thermostat installed in your home
• Not be participating in another residential demand response program in Ontario where your thermostat is automatically adjusted to help maintain reliability of the electricity grid.

Energy Affordability Program

The Energy Affordability Program offers free energy-efficiency upgrades for income-eligible homeowners and tenants, and eligible social housing providers, as well as an in-home energy assessment to help uncover more ways to save.

Depending on eligibility and the existing equipment within your home, Burlington residents could receive:

• ENERGY STAR^®-certified LED light bulbs
• High-efficiency showerheads (standard and handheld)
• Faucet aerators (kitchen and bathroom)
• Drying line for clothes
• Energy-efficient refrigerator
• Window air conditioner
• Smart power strip
• Additional attic or basement insulation
• Weather-stripping doors and windows
• Smart thermostat(s)

To qualify, the participant must be:

• A resident of an eligible Social Housing property OR
• an individual who owns, rents or leases a residents, is listed as the primary or secondary utility account holder and meets one of the low-income assistance criteria listed on the Energy Affordability Program website.

Home Winterproofing Program

The Home Winterproofing Program can help you lower your natural gas bill and make your home more comfortable. If your home and household income levels qualify, you’ll get free insulation, draft proofing and a smart thermostat to reduce energy costs up to 30%

Burlington residents could be eligible to receive:

• A free home energy assessment by a trusted delivery agent
• Free energy-efficient upgrades, including insulation, draft proofing and a smart thermostat
• Quick, professional installation by our qualified contractors

Low-Income Energy Assistance Program

If you’re behind on your electricity or natural gas bill or are in arrears and may face having your service disconnected, you may qualify for emergency financial help through the Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). There are also special customer service rules available for low-income households. You need to meet certain criteria to qualify for these programs, and must go through one of the identified intake agencies in Ontario.

Low-income Burlington residents could be eligible to receive:

• Up to $600 in emergency assistance for electricity bills
• Up to $500 in emergency assistance for natural gas bills

Enhanced Basement Flooding Preventions Subsidy Program

Enhanced Basement Flooding Prevention Subsidy Program makes it easier and more affordable for residents to make improvements that can help reduce the risk flooding.

Burlington residents have access to:

• Downspout disconnection
• Weeping tile disconnections and sump pump installation
• Backwater valve installation
• Sewer lateral (pipe) ling and repair

Note: in order to quality for the weeping tile disconnection & sump pump installation subsidy, you must use a contractor included on Halton’s list of Approved Contractors.

Home Flood Protection Program

The Home Flood Protection Program is a residential flood risk reduction education program that was launched by the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo in 2016. The goals of the Home Flood Protection Program are to help residents take action to reduce their flood risk and reduce damage in the event of a flood.

Burlington residents have access to:

• Recommended actions that homeowners can take to reduce flood risks that will potentially qualify for subsidies and discounts
• Education resources and training