The RetrofitHH pilot program advances the Town’s Climate Change goals by providing access to interest free financing for energy retrofits to homeowners in Halton Hills. This project was carried out with assistance from the Green Municipal Fund, a Fund financed by the Government of Canada and administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
Applications are now closed. Subscribe to this page to receive updates about future program developments.
The launch of the Retrofit Halton Hills pilot program was very well received in the community, with 20 homeowners applying to participate. Funding was distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and the Town was able to approve 9 of these proposals within the allotted budget of the pilot program.
Examples of retrofit projects approved to date include:
These initiatives help support the Town’s goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
*On average, the participating homes reported initial energy usage (GJ/yr.) and GHG gas emissions (tonnes/yr.) that were, respectively, approximately 1.67 and 1.79 times the Halton Hills average
You may qualify for a loan through the RetrofitHH pilot if:
You may combine RetrofitHH with energy efficiency rebates and incentives available from the Government of Canada, and utility companies.
A non-exhaustive list of the categories of measures eligible under the Pilot Program includes:
Ineligible measures include equipment or products not permanently affixed to the property, previously installed in another home, and are deemed general maintenance.
Application Process |
Step 1: Complete an Application FormOnce the Town receives and approves your application, we will send you a funding offer that states the maximum amount that your property is eligible to receive through RetrofitHH. You may print and mail the application, or complete it online and email it to Retrofit Halton Hills. Note: Because RetrofitHH is currently in a pilot stage, it is anticipated that only 15-20 applicants will be accepted during this stage. Applicants who qualify for the program will be selected on a first-come-first-served basis until the pilot is full. Step 2: Home Energy Assessment and Funding Requesta. Book a home energy assessment with an Energy Advisor registered by Natural Resources Canada The assessment will include a basement-to-attic assessment of your home’s insulation, heating and cooling systems, and detect any air leaks or drafts. When the assessment is complete, you will receive:
To find a Registered Energy Advisor (REA) consult NRCan’s database of REAs or visit Enbridge Gas to find REAs in your area and information on incentives and rebates available for home energy assessments b. Submit your funding request Determine which improvements you wish to make and get quotes from the contractor(s) of your choice, based on your goals, budget and recommendations of the Energy Advisor. Make sure you see which rebates and incentives currently available. Your funding request will include:
Step 3: Property Owner AgreementOnce the Town has approved your Funding Request, we will send you a Property Owner Agreement (POA), which is the funding agreement between the property owner(s) and the Town. You must sign the POA and return to the Town. Once the POA is approved by the Town, we can provide, if requested, up to 30 per cent of the funds to help you get your project underway. Step 4: Complete your improvements and submit your project completion reportHomeowners assume full responsibility for the work performed, which includes selecting, hiring and paying contractors, and obtaining all required municipal and/or provincial permits, if applicable. When your project is complete, book your post-retrofit home energy assessment with your Energy Advisor. The Advisor will verify the improvements and provide a new EnerGuide¹ rating for your home. Submit a Project Completion Report signed by your Energy Advisor, along with your contractor’s invoices and your new EnerGuide[1] rating label. The Town will then provide you with the remaining funds for your project. Step 5: Repay the loan over time via your property tax billOnce your project is complete, the Town will notify you when your loan payments will begin. You will be enrolled in the Town’s Pre-authorized Tax Payment plan and repay the Town via eleven monthly instalments per year over the term of your loan. Loan payments made via the property tax bill are treated in the same manner, and subject to the same penalties, remedies, and lien priorities, as property taxes. At any time during the term of the loan, you may pay the outstanding balance, without penalty, to clear the loan from your property. [1] EnerGuide is an official mark of Natural Resources Canada |
Selecting a Contractor |
Town staff are not able to recommend a contractor or provide a list of contractors. The following sources may be able to help you when selecting a contractor: Recommendations from family, friends and neighboursAn endorsement from someone you know and trust can help you make your decision. Consider a local companyLook for a company with an established business history in your community. Your local hardware store may be able to provide you with trusted local contractors. The Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce maintains a directory of member businesses here. The following resources can also help you select a contractor:
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Background |
Buildings play an important role in the climate solutionWhen it comes to ‘green buildings,’ attention is typically paid to new construction as it is comparatively easier to incorporate energy efficiency measures during building and the design stage. Although more complex, retrofitting existing buildings also represents a significant opportunity to reduce energy use, costs, and associated GHG emissions. Buildings (residential and commercial) can often account for over half of a municipality’s GHG emissions. So, in order to achieve GHG reduction targets in a municipality, it is necessary to address energy use within the existing building stock and find innovative approaches to finance retrofits. There are approximately 18,000 privately occupied low-rise dwelling units in Halton Hills, representing a significant opportunity to reduce emissions and energy costs for residents. The residential sector (at 22%) is the second largest source of the Town’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In support of Town Council’s Climate Emergency Declaration and the resulting net-zero by 2030 target, the Town has developed a home energy retrofit program to provide access to low-interest financing for energy retrofits to homeowners in Halton Hills. |
Reports |
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Frequently Asked Questions |
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