How were the pilot neighbourhoods chosen?
The chosen pilot project neighbourhoods offer a varied learning experience for the HomeZero team. The Foothills neighbourhood has relatively new homes which makes it possible to streamline retrofit processes. The East Hill neighbourhood has an eclectic mix of new and old homes which will help the HomeZero team develop processes for a variety of homes. HomeZero's eventual goal is to retrofit all neighbourhoods in Vernon and other municipalities.
Pilot
August 2023- Spring 2024
HomeZero Collective is offering a $10,000 to $30,000 subsidy for up to 15 Foothills and East Hill residents to participate in a clean energy neighbourhood retrofit pilot. Will one of them be you?
If you've been considering switching to clean energy, this is a rare opportunity to benefit from additional funding and support!
By generating your own power, you'll be protected from rising energy costs.
August 2023- December 2023
HomeZero Collective is offering a $15,000 subsidy to up to 15 Foothills and East Hill residents to participate in a clean energy neighbourhood retrofit pilot. Will one of them be you?
If you've been considering switching to clean energy, this is a rare opportunity to benefit from additional funding and support!
“Initiatives like HomeZero Collective Society’s project could not come at a better time. With support from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund, funded by the Government of Canada, the project will help residents of 10 to 15 households in Vernon, British Columbia see their homes retrofitted.”
– Scott Pearce, FCM President
How does it work?
You get to switch to renewable energy systems that generate power and heat and cool your home without producing greenhouse gasses. The results and savings are instant. Carbon emissions are reduced by 85-100% and your monthly utility costs will drop significantly.
Then, you can use those savings to pay off the zero-interest Canada Greener Homes loan that funded the retrofits. For example, right now, if your monthly heating and electricity costs are $325 and after the retrofit, these costs come down to $40/month--you can use the savings of $285 towards paying down your retrofit loan. Since you're generating your own power, you'll be protected from rising energy costs.
The retrofit will take approximately 10 years to pay off. Afterward, you'll save thousands of dollars a year on utility payments while drastically reducing your greenhouse gas emissions.
With these funding supports and moving through the process as a neighbourhood group, these retrofits are more affordable, accessible and impactful.
Who is eligible to participate?
1) You must be a Canadian homeowner, and your home must be your primary residence.
2) You must be a resident of the Foothills or East Hill neighbourhood.
3) You must qualify for Natural Resources Canada's interest-free Greener Homes Loan and have not already started a retrofit. HomeZero will walk you through this process.
4) You presently do not have a cold climate air source heat pump or a geothermal heat pump.
This project is a fit for you if you're enthusiastic about converting your home to renewable energy systems and willing to speak with other homeowners at paid open house events hosted by HomeZero.
After a successful pilot project, our hope is to scale up and spread out to other neighbourhoods in Vernon and beyond.
How is the retrofit funded?
The Canada Greener Homes Loan is offering an interest-free loan of $40,000 on a 10-year term. This is in addition to various grants and rebates available from the Federal and Provincial government.
On top of that, HomeZero will make a contribution of $10,000 - $30,000 to help reduce the cost of the retrofit. The contribution amount has been determined by a range of criteria that consider the overall objectives of the pilot project.
Who will complete the work?
We're fortunate to have partnered with industry-leading Okanagan Geothermal, which has been proudly serving our region for over 25 years.
They will be completing all retrofit work and will provide long-term service and warranty.
When will the retrofits be completed?
The pilot project retrofits are expected to take place from September 2023 to Spring 2024.
What types of retrofits will be installed?
Your home will be retrofitted with:
-
a geothermal or air source heat pump
-
solar panels
-
hybrid electric hot water system
-
an electric vehicle charging outlet for a future EV
Minor building envelope upgrades such as air sealing may be completed to improve efficiency. Performance monitoring systems will also be installed to show you your energy and emissions savings.
You get to switch to renewable energy systems that generate power and heat and cool your home without producing greenhouse gasses. The results and savings are instant. Carbon emissions are reduced by 85-99(100?)% and your monthly utility costs will drop significantly.
Then, you can use those savings to pay off the zero-interest Canada Greener Homes loan that funded the retrofits.
For example, right now, if your monthly heating and electricity costs are $325 and after the retrofit, these costs come down to $40/month--you can use the savings of $285 towards paying down your retrofit loan. Since you're generating your own power, you'll be protected from rising energy costs.
The retrofit will take approximately 10 years to pay off. Afterward, you'll save thousands of dollars a year on utility payments while drastically reducing your greenhouse gasses emissions.
With these funding supports and moving through the process as a neighbourhood group, these retrofits are more affordable, accessible and impactful.
How does it work?
Your home will be retrofitted with:
-
a geothermal or air source heat pump
-
solar panels
-
hybrid electric hot water system
-
an electric vehicle charging outlet for a future EV
Minor building envelope upgrades such as air sealing may be completed to improve efficiency. Performance monitoring systems will also be installed to show you your energy and emissions savings.
What types of retrofits will be installed?
The Canada Greener Homes Loan is offering an interest-free loan of $40,000 on a 10-year term. This is in addition to various grants and rebates available from the Federal and Provincial government.
On top of that, HomeZero will make a contribution of $15,000 to help reduce the cost of the retrofit. The contribution amount is determined by a range of criteria that consider the overall objectives of the pilot project.
How is the retrofit funded?
We're fortunate to have partnered with industry-leading Okanagan Geothermal Ltd., which has been proudly serving our region for over 25 years. They will be completing all retrofit work and will provide long-term service and warranty.
Who will complete the work?
The pilot project retrofits are expected to take place from September 2023 to December 2023.
When will the retrofits be completed?
1) You must be a Canadian homeowner, and your home must be your primary residence.
2) You must be a resident of the Foothills or XXXX neighbourhood
3) You must qualify for Natural Resources Canada's interest-free Greener Homes Loan and have not already started a retrofit. HomeZero will walk you through this process.
4) You presently do not have a heat pump or solar panels.
This project is a fit for you if you're enthusiastic about converting your home to renewable energy systems and willing to speak with other homeowners at paid open house events hosted by HomeZero.
After a successful pilot project, our hope is to scale up and spread out to other neighbourhoods in Vernon and beyond.