Better Homes Burlington is a home upgrade program that improves home comfort, supports financial burden, and reduces green house gas emissions associated with residential buildings in Burlington, Ontario. This program can support homeowners looking to install a heat pump or improve their home air sealing.
Program Offering
The Better Homes Burlington Pilot Program extends municipal funding through a Local Improvement Charge to help homeowners finance the installation of an air source heat pump and/or air sealing their home. Only the costs associated with these improvements of up to a maximum of $10,000 are eligible for the program.
If you are considering deeper energy efficiency retrofits of your home, the Better Homes Burlington Coordinator can assist with information on existing and complementary incentive programs, financing options, and the benefits of a Home EnerGuide Assessment. All funding programs are stackable with the Better Homes Burlington program – so homeowners can apply to more than one program.
The Better Homes Burlington pilot program opened in September 2023, and accepted applications until January 2024. In March 2024, Council voted to extend the Better Homes Burlington pilot program for an additional application cycle. Applications will be accepted until the end of December 2024, or until the program is fully subscribed, whichever comes first.
Applications are now open. Please apply using the online form. For assistance contact the Better Homes Burlington Coordinator or call 905-335-7777, ext. 7974.
Program Eligibility
Residential low-rise buildings located within the City of Burlington of the following forms are eligible: detached, semi-detached, and townhouses.
The property must have a property tax account with the City of Burlington. The property must also be serviced by gas or oil for home heating purposes.
Participation is voluntary, owner-initiated and subject to the following conditions.
- All registered owner(s) of the property must consent to participating in the Program
- Property tax and other payment obligations to the City of Burlington for the past five years must be in good standing
- Owners must enroll in the pre-authorized property tax payment plan prior to approval; and
- The owner must notify its mortgage lender (if applicable) of the owner’s intention to participate in the Program using the City of Burlington’s prescribed form. Letter template will be provided to applicants.
- Homeowners with CMHC or other insured mortgages are ineligible to participate in the program
- Applications must be submitted and approved before beginning the work and installation of an air-source heat pumps. Homeowners who have installed a heat pump prior to application are not eligible to participate in the program.
How to apply to the Better Homes Burlington program |
| Learn how to apply to the Better Homes Burlington Pilot Program that extends municipal funding through a Local Improvement Charge to help homeowners finance the installation of an air source heat pump and/or air sealing their home. |
Eligibility Screening Form |
| Before proceeding with the application for a loan, the homeowner(s) must complete an eligibility screening form. The Program Coordinator will provide a concierge service by assisting homeowners in reviewing the criteria as well as sharing information available on incentives and financing options for consideration. |
Map Out Your Home Energy Use |
| Complete an energy audit or home energy modelling to demonstrate the energy and green house gas performance of your home. This might include a 2-3 in-home visit by an energy advisor to gather key performance information on your home, such as insulation type, HVAC information, window and door performance, or competition of a blower door test. |
Identify Upgrade Options and Incentives |
| The homeowner(s) will work with a technical expert to discuss upgrade options that align with your home upgrade goals. Explore options of available financial support provided through the program. |
Funding Request Form |
| Homeowner(s) who meet the eligibility screening checklist will need to submit a Funding Request Form that: identifies the improvements that the property owner intends to install; identified the cost for each improvement; and, includes a copy of the quote for the air source heat pump and air sealing. |
Property Owner Agreement |
| After the City of Burlington has confirmed the acceptability of the Funding Request Form, the City of Burlington will prepare a property owner agreement “POA” for the homeowner(s) to review and sign. |
Complete the Home Upgrades |
| Following the execution of the POA, the homeowner(s) can proceed with hiring contractors and installing the approved energy improvements to the property. The improvements must be completed within the timeline indicated in the POA, unless an extension is granted at the discretion of the City of Burlington. |
Project Completion Report |
| Once the approved energy improvements are completed, participants must submit the Project Completion Report within 14 days of the earlier of (a) the work being substantially performed or (b) the completion date, as indicated in the POA. |
Post-Upgrade Home Monitoring |
| Pursuant to the POA, the homeowner(s) must consent to providing the City of Burlington with access to the property’s utility usage data in order to monitor results and evaluate the Program’s effectiveness for a period of five years after completion of the retrofit, as well as two years of usage data pre-improvements. |
Contractor Engagement
The City of Burlington will not pre-qualify contractors or procure contracts to perform energy assessments or install retrofit improvements on behalf of homeowners in connection with this program. The homeowner will use the funds dispersed by the City of Burlington to pay contractors directly.
The City of Burlington is not responsible for the work quality of any contractors hired in connection with this program and assumes no liability for the work undertaken. All retrofit improvements and renovations must adhere to applicable permitting requirements, codes, laws and by-laws. The homeowner is responsible for ensuring that hired contractors are licensed, bonded, and insured. Any issues that may arise relating to the quality of workmanship or post-installation performance of energy measures, for example, should be dealt with by the property owner and contractor
The following links can help you find contractors to retrofit your home:
- Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada
- Renomark
- West End Homebuilders Association
Financial Incentives
Participants in the Better Homes Burlington program are eligible for Local Improvement Charges (LICs) as a way to reduce the financial burden of home upgrades. LIC loans are an added item on your property taxes that cover the costs of home upgrades.
A maximum of twenty loans will be provided to homeowners during the pilot program. Loans will be a maximum of $10,000 each over a five year term with a 0% interest rate.
Contact
Contact Better Homes Burlington Coordinator or call 905-335-7777, ext. 7974.