First 100 homeowners to receive $5,000 subsidy; funding supported large-scale retrofit design
With the success of a neighbourhood retrofit pilot that saw 11 Vernon homes switch to electric heat pumps and hot water tanks, and generate the electricity to run them with solar panels—HomeZero Collective Society is scaling up in a big way. The local non-profit has announced the start of a community engagement phase that aims to bring clean energy retrofits to 500 Vernon homes throughout the city over the next three years.
“We’ve learned so much about what’s possible when we do retrofits as a group, and now we have the support to put those learnings and benefits to use on a much larger scale—and take even greater climate action,” says Amandeep Singh, founder, HomeZero Collective Society
The pilot, nearing completion on the last of 11 East Hill and Foothills homes, has proven that HomeZero’s neighbourhood retrofit model makes it easier, faster and more affordable to switch to clean energy systems. Materials were purchased in bulk, installers moved efficiently from one nearby home to another, low-interest financing was provided along with government subsidies and rebates, and HomeZero coordinated all the work. Now, participants save money, generate clean electricity and reduce their carbon emissions by 85-100 per cent.
“Aside from all of the future savings on energy and gas bills, we just really wanted to be part of the solution to reduce our carbon footprint,” says pilot homeowner Kevin O’Brien. “We have all talked about how we want to make things better for the future and this program gave us that chance.”
While installations were underway over the summer, Singh was busy using pilot insights to design a program that would reach many more residents ready to upgrade their homes. Funding for program design—which covers planning everything from procurement to training green energy installers to securing low-interest lending—came from BC Hydro ($40,000), Community Futures North Okanagan ($5,000); and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund (GMF), through its Community Efficiency Financing initiative and with support from the Government of Canada, ($175,000).
“With this funding, we were able to invest in designing a program that will transform how Vernon tackles climate change, and act as a roadmap for other communities,” says Singh. “Collectively, we could reduce Vernon’s carbon emissions by 2,000 tons every year.”
The next phase will see 500 homes get retrofitted with cold-climate air source heat pumps, hybrid electric hot water tanks, solar panels and electric vehicle chargers. The first 100 homeowners to sign up will receive a $5,000 subsidy from HomeZero to help offset the cost—in addition to significant provincial rebates, and low-interest financing—pending government support. The retrofits will be carried out by a private arm of the HomeZero Collective organization to attract private capital and reduce fees for participants. The total cost of the project is estimated at $25 million.
To celebrate the success of the pilot and help next phase homeowners see how the process and systems work, HomeZero Collective is hosting Saturday open houses at pilot homes starting Oct. 12 from 3-4 pm and 4:30-5:30 pm. Homeowners interested in learning more and being considered for the next phase can also attend online info sessions starting Oct. 8. Details are available at HomeZeroCollective.com
QUOTES
“Canadians are seeking solutions to their most pressing challenges, including affordability and climate change. For nearly 25 years, GMF has supported municipalities and their partners in finding those solutions. GMF's Community Efficiency Financing (CEF) initiative assists municipalities in funding local financing programs for home-energy retrofits in low-rise residences, helping homeowners save money with energy-efficient upgrades. In the fiscal year 2023-2024, CEF provided $38 million in funding for projects across Canada. GMF is excited to see HomeZero Collective Society’s initiative progress to the next stage, which will improve the lives of residents in British Columbia.”
–Geoff Stewart, FCM President
“Energy efficiency means cost savings for Canadians. At a time when we are facing challenges with affordability and climate change, the HomeZero Collective’s collaborative work with BC Hydro and Community Futures North Okanagan will meet Vernon residents where they are at by providing access to affordable and achievable home retrofit projects that save money, reduce energy use, and generate clean electricity. Projects like this help deliver on the commitments announced recently in Canada’s first-ever Green Buildings Strategy, which is a plan to save Canadians money, create jobs and seize the economic opportunities of a sustainable future.”
—The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
“Collective efforts make a big difference. By investing in energy-efficient communities in British Columbia, we are making it easier for Canadian communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money with energy-efficient upgrades. Canada’s ongoing commitment to a net-zero economy requires innovative housing solutions that create jobs and build climate resilience while making life more affordable. Projects and initiatives like the Green Municipal Fund’s Community Efficiency Financing initiative are helping us get there.”
– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“We are committed to helping our customers make the transition from fossil fuels to clean electricity, and one of those ways is through our Sustainable Communities Program,” said Chris O’Riley, President and CEO of BC Hydro. “This program provides funding and support to local governments, industry associations and non-profits to help them improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
– Chris O’Riley, president and CEO, BC Hydro
“Community Futures is so pleased to have been able to contribute to this important clean energy project and we are confident that the outcomes, benefits and learnings will serve as a jumping-off point for more scalable retrofit projects in our community.”
– Leigha Horsfield, executive director, Community Futures North Okanagan
“The HomeZero team's collective experience, expertise and care make the home retrofit process seamless. From a homeowner's perspective, the completed project feels incredible, as do lower bills. As more and more people make the switch, I am sure the Earth will breathe a sigh of relief, too!”
– Tamara Low, pilot homeowner
ABOUT HOMEZERO COLLECTIVE
Since forming as a non-profit in 2020, our mission has been to make it simpler and more affordable for homeowners to switch to clean energy and amplify our climate action by doing clean energy retrofits as a group. With so many successes from our 2024 pilot project, HomeZero is scaling up to bring our neighbourhood retrofit model to 500 homes across Vernon starting in 2025. As we share our roadmap for other community-wide retrofits, we have a special opportunity to inspire change across Canada.
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