Pilot Project in Vernon BC
Clean Energy Neighbourhoods
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We're helping families to reduce home emissions by 85-100%!
HomeZero Collective is currently retrofitting 11 homes in the Foothills and East Hill neighbourhoods in Vernon. Stay tuned for pilot highlights and case studies.
JOIN OUR SURVEY
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“Through projects like the HomeZero Collective Society’s home retrofitting pilot project in the city of Vernon, B.C., we are helping Canadians switch to sustainable practices and make their homes more energy-efficient.”
– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
We're helping families reduce emissions by 85-100%!
HomeZero Collective is currently retrofitting 11 homes in the Foothills and East Hill neighbourhoods in Vernon. Stay tuned for pilot highlights and case studies.
Our Pilot Project!
For example: Your current heating and electricity costs are $325/month on an annualized basis.
$325
After the renewable energy retrofit your costs drop to $40 per month, you are protected from rising energy costs, and your emissions drop by 85-100%.
$40
Savings: $285 /month
Use the savings to pay off your retrofit. Once paid off, you will save thousands of dollars a year.
$285
How it works
Your current heating
and electricity costs $325/ per month:
$325
After the renewable energy retrofit the costs drop to $40 per month:
$40
Savings: $285 /month
Use the savings to pay off your retrofit.
$285
How it works
HomeZero Collective is making it faster, easier and more affordable for neighbourhoods across the City of Vernon, BC to switch to clean energy.
1. Our Specialties
This is your Feature section paragraph. Use this space to present specific credentials, benefits or special features you offer.
2. Programs reduce cost
The following programs will dramatically reduce the cost of your home's clean energy retrofit:
-
$10,000 - $30,000 HomeZero subsidy
-
$5,000 - $11,000 government rebates
-
Interest free Greener Homes Loan of up to $40,000
3. Clean energy retrofit
Your home will be retrofitted by our industry leading partner Okanagan Geothermal. It will be heated and cooled by a geothermal or air source heat pump that uses clean energy. Solar panels will generate electricity and you are protected from rising energy costs, carbon tax, and your emissions drop by 85-100%.
4. Savings payoff loan
Your utility bills drop to $40/month. Use the $285 in savings to pay off your interest free Greener Homes Loan sponsored by Natural Resources Canada. This loan has a 10 year term.
5. Annual savings $2500+
After your Greener Homes Loan is paid off in 10 years, you will save $2,500 to $4,000 on an annual basis. Celebrate and use those savings to buy an electric vehicle and reduce emissions even further. Together we can make a big difference!
This survey on Homeowner Perspectives is a collaboration between Okanagan College and HomeZero Collective
Questions or Concerns?
Rest assured your responses are confidential. Your personal details won't be shared. Feel free to contact us at sfenwick@okanagan.bc.ca if you have any questions or concerns. Let Your Voice Shape the Future!
Why Participate?
To share your thoughts and help us understand what matters most to homeowners. The online survey is simple and won't take much of your time—around 10 minutes. Your input can contribute to initiatives that promote sustainable practices in our community.
Your Voice Matters!
We want to hear from homeowners like you! Our survey is all about understanding what you think and feel about making your home more energy-efficient. Your insights can help shape better plans for a greener and more sustainable future.
“It was important for us to demonstrate some positive change we can make within our own community.”
– AMBER BROWN, PILOT PARTICIPANT
Learn about the pilot
If you've been considering switching to clean energy, learn more about how our pilot model made it faster, easier and more affordable for families to upgrade their homes to clean energy systems--and stay tuned to learn about future projects.
How It Works
HomeZero Collective is proud to be in the installation phase of an exciting neighbourhood clean energy retrofit in Vernon, BC. Here is how our model worked for these 11 homes in summer 2024.
1. Participant's current bill
A home uses natural gas for space and water heating. The participant's current heating and electricity costs are, for example, $325/month* on an annualized basis.
2. Programs reduce cost
The following programs will dramatically reduce the cost of the participant's home's clean energy retrofit:
-
$10,000 - $30,000 HomeZero subsidy
-
$5,000 - $11,000 government rebates
-
Interest free Greener Homes Loan of up to $40,000
3. Clean energy retrofit
Participant homes are retrofitted by our industry-leading partners Okanagan Geothermal and Okanagan Solar. Homes are will be heated and cooled by a geothermal or air source heat pump that uses clean energy. Solar panels will generate electricity and participants are protected from rising energy costs, carbon tax, and emissions drop by 85-100%.
4. Savings payoff loan
Participant's utility bills drop to $40/month.* Now they can use the $285 in savings to pay off their interest-free Greener Homes Loan sponsored by Natural Resources Canada. This loan has a 10 year term.
5. Annual savings $2500+
After the Greener Homes Loan is paid off in 10 years, participants will save $2,500 to $4,000* on an annual basis. Now they can celebrate and use those savings to buy an electric vehicle and reduce emissions even further. Together we can make a big difference!
* This is an illustrative example. Actual costs and savings will vary based on current energy usage, the amount of solar power that can be generated from one's roof, home's energy efficiency level, among other conditions.
Have you been waiting for a project that makes it easy and affordable to switch to clean energy?
HomeZero Collective is a Vernon non-profit that has developed a unique neighbourhood approach to clean energy retrofits. Embarking on this exciting process as a group means lower costs, faster delivery and quality assurance. Plus, our team has taken care of all the coordination for participants.
With funding and support from the Green Municipal Fund and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), and with our industry-leading partner, Okanagan Geothermal and Okanagan Solar, we're thrilled to be in the installation phase of our pilot.
Right now, 11 homes in the abundantly sunny Foothills and East Hill neighbourhoods will make the switch to green energy systems such as air-source and geothermal heat pumps, solar panels and more.
Of course, this is just the start as we scale and create roadmaps for other neighbourhoods and communities across Vernon, and even Canada.
Clean energy neighbourhood pilot participants benefit from the chance to access green home technology, guidance and funds even faster:
Financing
$10,000 to $30,000 subsidy above a no-interest Greener Homes Loan of up to $40,000, repayable over 10 years, as well as further Provincial and Federal rebates.
Support
Coordination and support at every step from the HomeZero Collective team as participants choose a retrofit package, apply for grants and rebates, and get ready to welcome Okanagan Geothermal and Okanagan Solar.
Climate Action
The chance to be a part of something meaningful--with instant carbon emissions reduction of 85-100% and the opportunity to inspire others.
How It Works
Discover below the details of the project and what to anticipate throughout the journey.
News and Updates
10 to 15 homes retrofitted in the Okanagan region (B.C.) as part of a pilot project with support from the Government of Canada and FCM
Vernon, British Columbia – By helping Canadians upgrade their homes to be more energy-efficient, the Government of Canada, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) are helping tackle climate change, create good jobs and reduce monthly bills.
News and Updates
Okanagan College Launches Survey to Assess Community Interest in Clean Energy Retrofitting
A unique applied research project is underway with the launch of an important community initiative aimed at promoting sustainability in Vernon.
OCC
Unique clean energy pilot sees first homes retrofitted and ready to 'decarb'
Eleven local homeowners are on their way to reducing carbon emissions by 85 to
100 per cent after being retrofitted with clean energy systems as part of an exciting
neighbourhood-scale pilot—believed to be the first of its kind in Canada.
HOME ZERO COLLECTIVE
Vernon pilots clean energy neighbourhood
“Getting these homes retrofitted is a big step for our model and for the homeowners,” says Amandeep Singh, founder of HomeZero Collective. “People are keenly aware of the impact of climate change and want to do their part.”
VERNON MORNING STAR
