Process
Working with HomeZero staff, you will go through the process outlined below as a pilot participant.
Join us for an online or in person session to learn about the pilot retrofit program. We will walk you through the environmental and financial benefits, as well as the whole retrofit process. Once you are ready, you will sign up on our website.
Attend an Info Session
1.
a) You must be a Canadian homeowner, and your home must be your primary residence.
b) You must be a resident of the Foothills or East Hill neighbourhood
c) 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.
d) 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.
Who is eligible to participate?
2.
HomeZero staff will review all sign ups and will develop a preliminary list of participants based on various criteria such as a diverse set of homes that reflect a neighbourhood, building condition, homeowner interest and willingness to participate in community events.
Once you are on the preliminary list, an onsite visit will be organized by Okanagan Geothermal to estimate the work involved. Estimates for all homes will be reviewed by the HomeZero team and pilot participants will be chosen.
Initial Assessment
3.
Next, the chosen pilot participants will be notified.
a) You will be presented with the estimated cost for the retrofit, the various government grants and rebates you are eligible for, and the HomeZero subsidy that will bring down the cost of the retrofit.
b) If you agree to proceed with the work, you will be requested to sign a contract and provide a $1000 deposit.
c) HomeZero will organize an Energuide assessment for your home by Falcon Engineering, as required for the interest free Greener Homes Loan from Natural Resources Canada.
d) HomeZero will guide you through the process of applying for the Greener Homes Loan.
Homes Chosen
4.
Once you receive approval for the Greener Homes Loan, HomeZero will invoice you for $6000. This upfront payment will be provided to you from the Greener Homes Loan.
a) Okanagan Geothermal will begin the detailed design work.
b) Equipment for your retrofit will be ordered.
Detailed Design
5.
Once the Solar PV equipment arrives, Okanagan Geothermal will schedule a time to start the outdoor work. Solar PV and an electric vehicle outlet will be installed.
If you have chosen the Geothermal Package, a ground loop will be installed. We may request to produce a video of your retrofit.
Retrofit Start
6.
Heat pumps have a longer lead time and will arrive later in the year.
Okanagan Geothermal will schedule a time to install the geothermal or air source heat pump, as well as the hybrid electric hot water tanks. These retrofits will dramatically reduce your GHG emissions.
HomeZero will ensure that you are satisfied with the work.
Retrofit Complete
7.
Once the retrofit is completed, you can start enjoying your clean energy home, knowing that you are part of a community effort to reduce your environmental impact.
a) HomeZero will organize a post-retrofit EnerGuide Assessment with Falcon Engineering, to show energy and GHG reduction.
b) You will submit the paper work to Greener Homes Loan to request payment, and apply for other government rebates.
c) You will be requested to complete a homeowner survey.
Retrofit Performance Assessment
8.
HomeZero will organize various events related to neighbourhood scale retrofits.
a) HomeZero will host an open house event at your residence for some of your neighbours to see the retrofit. You will be paid $500 for allowing us to host this event.
b) You maybe asked to participate in a video testimonial.
Community Engagement
9.
Join us for an online or in person session to learn about the pilot retrofit program. We will walk you through the environmental and financial benefits, as well as the whole retrofit process. Once you are ready, you will sign up on our website.
Attend a Seminar
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 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.
Who is eligible to participate?
HomeZero staff will review all sign ups and will develop a preliminary list of participants based on various criteria such as a diverse set of homes that reflect a neighbourhood, building condition, homeowner interest and willingness to participate in community events.
Once you are on the preliminary list, an onsite visit will be organized by Okanagan Geothermal to estimate the work involved. Estimates for all homes will be reviewed by the HomeZero team and pilot participants will be chosen.
Initial Assessment
Next, the chosen pilot participants will be notified.
1) You will be presented with the estimated cost for the retrofit, the various government grants and rebates you are eligible for, and the HomeZero subsidy that will bring down the cost of the retrofit.
2) If you agree to proceed with the work, you will be requested to sign a contract and provide a $1000 deposit.
3) An Energuide assessment for your home will be organized by HomeZero as required for the interest free Greener Homes Loan from Natural Resources Canada.
4) HomeZero will guide you through the process of applying for the Greener Homes Loan.
Homes Chosen
Once you receive approval for the Greener Homes Loan, HomeZero will invoice you for $6000. This upfront payment will be provided to you from the Greener Homes Loan.
1) Okanagan Geothermal will begin the detailed design work.
2) Equipment for your retrofit will be ordered.
Detailed Design
Once the solar panels arrive, Okanagan Geothermal will schedule a time to start the outdoor work. Solar panels and an electric vehicle outlet will be installed.
If you have chosen the Geothermal Package, a ground loop will be installed. We may request to produce a video of your retrofit.
Retrofit Start
Heat pumps have a longer lead time and will arrive later in the year.
Okanagan Geothermal will schedule a time to install the geothermal or air source heat pump, as well as the hybrid electric hot water tanks. These retrofits will dramatically reduce your GHG emissions.
HomeZero will ensure that you are satisfied with the work.
Retrofit Complete
Once the retrofit is completed, you can start enjoying your clean energy home, knowing that you are part of a community effort to reduce your environmental impact.
1) HomeZero will organize a post-retrofit Energuide Assessment showing significant GHG reduction.
2) You will submit the paper work to Greener Homes Loan to request payment, and apply for other government rebates.
3) You will be requested to complete a homeowner survey.
Retrofit Performance Assessment
HomeZero will organize various events related to neighbourhood scale retrofits.
1) HomeZero will host an open house event at your residence for some of your neighbours to see the retrofit. You will be paid $500 for allowing us to host this event.
2) You maybe asked to participate in a video testimonial.