Residential buildings account for 24 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions in Peterborough, with tens of thousands of homes generating an average of 118,000 metric tonnes per year alone.
Tackling emissions at the individual building level is the best way forward to achieve measurable success in decreasing climate-harming pollution.
Over the years, Peterborough residents have had the chance to enroll in several provincial or federal home efficiency loan and grant programs. Many of these programs were constrained in funding and available across Ontario or Canada, which resulted in limited uptake locally.
To overcome these barriers and to reduce emissions from our local building stock, the City of Peterborough, with funding from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, created the Better Homes Peterborough program, which officially launched on Earth Day (April 22).
Better Homes Peterborough is a local program available to property owners in the city of Peterborough to access financing for energy efficiency retrofits that enhance residential building performance.
Peterborough homeowners can also take advantage of free guidance from the in-house energy coach, GreenUP home energy program manager Clara Blakelock, to learn which energy measures are best suited for their homes, such as adding new insulation, windows, doors, heat pumps, solar panels, and much more.
Cosmetic improvements can also be carried out to refurbish kitchens and bathrooms in conjunction with energy upgrades. The energy coach will assist homeowners to select the upgrades that will help them achieve at least a 30 per cent energy savings in their homes — or more!
Better Homes Peterborough offers two options for low-cost financing. Homeowners can choose to finance their improvements through Kawartha Credit Union, which has partnered with the city on this program. Alternatively, a homeowner can opt to finance their loan through repayments via their property taxes, at a fixed low interest rate over 15 years.
Participants can also stack any rebates they may receive from other home energy programs with financing from Better Homes Peterborough. Exclusive to the program, Peterborough homeowners that achieve 50 per cent greenhouse gas emission reduction will receive $1,000, while a 75 per cent decrease is eligible for $2,000, while funding is available.
The program aligns with the goals set out in the Climate Change Action Plan 2.0 – Pathway to Net Zero 2050, adopted by Peterborough City Council in April. Greening buildings through enhancing efficiency and using heat pumps was identified as necessary to reduce an estimated 861,000 metric tonnes of emissions by 2050, if wide-scale implementation is successful.
Homeowners have much to gain from building upgrades that go beyond being a climate champion.
Significant financial benefits from lower utility bills make affordability a reality post-renovation. Home comfort levels generally improve once the building envelope is tightened to reduce drafts and outdoor noise. Heightened resiliency can be achieved if solar panels and a battery backup system are installed to provide the ability to withstand extreme weather events disrupting connectivity.
The local economy also stands to benefit from more activity and potential job creation in the trades and auxiliary services to carry out retrofits.
The Better Homes Peterborough program is a made-in-Peterborough solution that can help residents navigate the complexities of undertaking a renovation through a step-by-step approach. Accessing affordable financing can make a big difference in deciding to carry out a more ambitious retrofit.
Once retrofits are completed, homeowners will have a more efficient home that works for them — and the planet.
To learn more about the Better Homes Peterborough program and to apply, visit betterhomesptbo.ca or call toll-free at 1-888-284-9417.
Meet the Better Homes Peterborough team and get your questions answered at an online information session from 12 to 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 22. Register for the free Zoom session at us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/7cwsNQg-R3en3w2Rf9cLTg.
Better Homes Peterborough is delivered by the City of Peterborough in partnership with EnviroCentre, GreenUP, and Kawartha Credit Union, with funding from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund.
