The Guelph Greener Homes Program helps eligible homeowners access funding for energy-efficient upgrades such as insulation, windows, doors, and heat pumps. This guide explains how the program works, who may qualify, and what to know before applying.
Get access to up to $50,000 with a 0% interest loan, or up to $15,000 in grants for eligible low-income households.
The Guelph Greener Homes Program helps eligible homeowners in Guelph improve their homes with financing for energy-efficient upgrades. Homeowners may qualify for a 0% interest loan of up to $50,000, while eligible low-income households may qualify for a grant of up to $15,000 for an air-source heat pump.
The program supports upgrades that can improve comfort, reduce energy waste, and make homes more efficient over time. Eligible improvements may include insulation, air sealing, windows, doors, heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and certain solar energy systems.
Start by registering for the Guelph Greener Homes Program with your property tax roll number, address, and contact information. Do not begin any upgrade work before your application has been approved.
Arrange a pre-retrofit EnerGuide home evaluation with a qualified energy advisor. This assessment documents your home’s current performance and helps confirm which upgrades may be eligible under the program. Homeowners are responsible for the cost of the pre- and post-retrofit assessments.
Submit your pre-retrofit energy audit report, contractor quotes, and details of any other loans or grants you are using. Once approved, eligible applicants can move forward under the loan or grant stream based on program requirements.
After approval, complete the eligible home improvements using qualified contractors. Upgrades may include insulation, air sealing, windows, doors, heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and certain solar energy systems.
Once the work is finished, complete the post-retrofit energy audit and submit your invoices and final project documents. The City then finalizes the funding based on the completed eligible work.
The Guelph Greener Homes Program has two funding streams for eligible homeowners in Guelph: a loan stream for approved home energy upgrades and a grant stream for eligible low-income households installing an air-source heat pump.
To qualify for the Guelph Greener Homes Program, the property must be a residential low-rise building in Guelph with a property tax account with the City. All registered property owners must agree to participate in the program. The property must also have no back taxes, liens, or title disputes, be more than five years old, and the planned home improvements must not have started yet.
If accepted into the program, homeowners must sign a Property Owner Agreement and enroll in a 12-month pre-authorized payment plan. This must use the same bank account for both the program fund disbursement deposits and the ongoing payments covering property taxes and Guelph Greener Homes loan repayment.
The Guelph Greener Homes Program supports a range of approved upgrades that can help improve home efficiency, comfort, and long-term energy performance. Eligible improvements fall into four main categories: building envelope upgrades such as insulation, air sealing, and window or door replacement; heating system upgrades such as air-source heat pumps, cold-climate heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and heat recovery systems; control systems such as smart or programmable thermostats when installed with another eligible improvement; and renewable energy systems such as solar photovoltaic and solar hot water systems.
Building envelope improvements focus on reducing heat loss and improving the overall efficiency of the home. This category includes thermal insulation, air sealing, and window or door repair or replacement. These upgrades can help reduce drafts, improve temperature consistency, and support better heating and cooling performance throughout the year.
Eligible heating system improvements include air-source heat pumps, cold-climate air-source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and heat recovery systems. These upgrades are intended to help homeowners move toward more efficient heating, cooling, and hot water solutions while reducing dependence on older, less efficient systems.
The program also includes smart or programmable thermostats, but only when they are installed together with another eligible home improvement. These systems can help homeowners better manage indoor temperatures, improve efficiency, and support the performance of other retrofit upgrades already being completed as part of the project.
Renewable energy upgrades under the program include solar photovoltaic systems and solar hot water systems. These improvements can help homeowners generate or use cleaner energy on-site and support a more efficient, lower-emission home over time.
If you are planning energy-efficient upgrades for your home, the Guelph Greener Homes Program can help you move forward with better clarity and potential funding support. Review your eligibility, explore approved upgrade options, and start planning your next steps toward a more comfortable and energy-efficient home.
The program is for eligible owners of residential low-rise properties in Guelph with a City property tax account. All registered owners must consent, the property must have no back taxes, liens, or title disputes, the home must be more than five years old, and the upgrades must not have started yet.
Yes. The City says an owner can participate even if the Guelph home is not their primary residence. However, the grant stream is more limited and is for property owners who are primary residents of the home.
No. The program is for property owners, not tenants, and it is not currently offered for multi-unit residential buildings.
Eligible upgrades include building envelope improvements like insulation, air sealing, and window or door replacement; mechanical systems like air-source heat pumps, cold-climate heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and heat recovery systems; smart or programmable thermostats when combined with another eligible upgrade; and renewable energy systems such as solar photovoltaic and solar hot water systems.
Yes. All anticipated eligible upgrades should be submitted in one application, and the City says the program is designed to work with other energy grant and loan programs to increase available support for homeowners.
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