Energy efficiency upgrade loans available

With our harsh winters and hot summers, it’s more important than ever to ensure our homes are energy efficient.

This can help us be more comfortable, and in the long term, energy-saving measures can reduce your electricity, oil and gas bills.

We recognize the importance of energy saving retrofits and upgrades as a powerful cost saving measure for homeowners and as part of our local climate change action plan.

While energy efficient upgrades are important, we also understand the upfront cost of these upgrades is prohibitive for many families. In response to this need, we have partnered with the Clean Foundation to create the Clean Energy Financing Program, a form of Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. The Clean Energy Financing Program will provide low-interest municipal loans to help families perform energy efficient upgrades.

The Clean Foundation, a non-profit environmental organization based in Nova Scotia, manages this program on behalf of the municipality. After applying, energy experts from the Clean Foundation will meet with the homeowner to decide which upgrades are most appropriate for their home, and may include insulation, energy efficient doors and windows, efficient water heaters, heat pumps and solar energy systems. They’ll create a detailed list of recommendations to maximize energy savings, with the goal of saving at least $1 on energy for every dollar spent on upgrades.

With the new terms in effect from May 4, 2022, the municipality now offers financing of up to $20,000 at a lending rate of two per cent for the clean energy upgrades and the ability to spread installment payments during a period of 15 years, repayable through charges attached to their property. Lump sum payments can be made at any time without penalty.

This new program will help families access funding for the upfront costs of retrofitting their home so they can increase their home’s efficiency, feel warmer, and save money while paying for the retrofits at a pace they can afford.

Find out how you can start saving at cleanenergyfinancing.ca/lunenburg or call tollfree at 1-844-727-7818.