Better Homes Burlington - Incentives and Resources

Home Efficiency Rebate Program

Enbridge Gas has launched their revised Home Efficiency Rebate (HER) Program, which offers up to $5,000 in rebates for energy efficient upgrades. Before renovating or installing any upgrades, you must complete an initial home energy assessment. This assessment is eligible for a $600 rebate through the HER program.

Eligible Upgrades

• Attic, exterior wall, basement and exposed floor insulation
• Air sealing
• Windows, doors, sliding doors and skylights
• Heat Pumps

Program Requirements

• Eligible homes types include detached home, semi-detached home, row house, townhome or a mobile home on a permanent foundation
• Primary & non-primary residences and owner & non-owner occupied residences are eligible
• Homes must be heated primarily with Enbridge natural gas at the time of pre-audit and/or post-audit
• Applicant must perform both a pre and post EnerGuide Audit conducted by a registered energy advisor from an Enbridge-approved service organization (see website for approved service organizations)
• Applicant must preform at least 2 qualifying upgrades recommended from the initial home energy assessment.

Learn More: HER

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 are looking to make their homes more energy efficient and comfortable.

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 a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or non-permanent resident who is legally authorized to work in Canada
• You must own the home and it must be your primary residence
• You have a pre-retrofit evaluation and have not yet had a post-retrofit evaluation
• Your pre-retrofit evaluation was completed on or after April 2020
• You have not started the retrofits for which you are seeking a loan
• 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.

Burlington Solar Incentive Pilot Program

The City of Burlington is now offering a residential Solar Incentive Pilot Program by providing a grant for a Solar Panel Building Permit, saving homeowners $594.

The Solar Incentive Pilot Program is designed to remove a potential barrier for installation of solar panels and supports the transition to electrification away from the use of fossil fuels, resulting in a lower carbon footprint.

Stay tuned for a new solar map that will provide additional information to homeowners who are considering installing solar panels, such as rooftop capacity/generating potential and estimated payback.

To apply for a Solar Building Permit, visit burlington.ca/building.

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:

• New! Cold climate air source heat pump
• 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.

Learn More: Enhanced Basement Flooding Preventions Subsidy

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