Better Homes Kingston

The Better Homes Kingston Program actively helps you make your home more energy-efficient and climate-friendly, supporting you through every step of the process. It offers up to $50,000 in low-interest loans for your energy-efficient upgrades. You can even get 50 per cent funding upfront to pay contractors.   

As a resident of Kingston, you may be eligible for a loan for home energy efficiency improvements. 

Program information

Find more details about the Better Homes Kingston (BHK) program and loans.

BHK loans provide a low-interest option to cover the upfront costs associated with renovating your home for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation. The loan balance can be repaid early at any time, without penalty.  

These types of home improvements will save money in the long term by reducing your utility bills. Comfort levels in your home will increase due to reduced air drafts and improved air quality. Making these changes to your home is part of the solution to slow down climate change by reducing household greenhouse gas emissions.   

The Better Homes Kingston Program registers your loan on eligible properties tax accounts as a Local Improvement Charge (LIC). The annual repayment amount, including principal and any applicable interest, shall be added to and form part of the property tax bill and shall be due and payable on the same dates and in the same manner as property taxes.  

Any amounts not paid when due shall be subject to the same penalties, interest, and collection and enforcement provisions as unpaid property taxes, in accordance with applicable legislation. Learn more about Paying your Property Taxes.

The maximum loan amount for this program is $50,000.00, or 20% of your home’s value, whichever is less. 

There is a $450 administration fee to participate in the program. This administration fee is charged on your first tax bill after completing your project, and no interest is charged on this amount. For those applicants eligible under the Municipal Fee Assistance Program, the administration fee will be waived.   

Homeowners can choose the repayment term that best suits their needs, based on the expected useful life of the improvements being completed:   

Terms 

Fixed Interest Rate 

5 Years  

3.25% 

10 years  

4.00% 

15 years  

4.50% 

20 years  

4.75% 

Note: Financing advanced by the City will be net of any Better Homes Kingston or third-party rebates or other rebates received by the applicant, except for the Home Energy Assessment rebates. 

Applications open

The Better Homes Kingston Program is currently accepting applications. Funding is secured on a first-come first-served basis. You will need your property tax roll number to apply, and your Utilities Kingston account number if applicable. If you need help applying, contact us.

New Utilities Kingston Rebates  

In partnership with Utilities Kingston, Better Homes Kingston is offering rebates to Utilities Kingston’s natural gas customers, in addition to loan funding.  

As a Utilities Kingston customer, you can apply for both loan funding and rebates. If you do not want loan funding, you can apply for rebates only.  

If you use natural gas to heat your home but are not a Utilities Kingston customer,  you may be eligible for Enbridge Gas rebates through the Home Renovation Savings program. 

Apply for Better Homes Kingston Program

Learn about how it works and how to apply to get your home more energy efficient.

Energy Saving Tips

Learn about how to save energy and make your home more energy efficient. 

Home Energy Retrofit Information

Improve your home’s energy efficiency and learn about energy retrofits. 

Passive and Net Zero Homes

Learn about passive and net zero houses to reduce energy consumption. 

Already received your Approval to Participate? 

If you have received an approval to participate from Better Homes Kingston, you must follow these steps before making any payments or proceeding with energy improvements:  

  1. Meet with the energy coach and fill out a valid funding request form. 
  2. Get confirmation from us that your request has been accepted and you are allowed to proceed.  

Failure to complete these steps before starting your energy improvements means they will not qualify for Better Homes Kingston loan funding or Utilities Kingston Rebates. If you are not sure about the next steps, please reach out for clarification. 

Eligible home improvements 

You can get financing for improvements that last five to 20 years, and that are permanently attached to the home.  

Better Homes Kingston does not cover maintenance costs.  

Here are some types of improvements that qualify for the Better Homes Kingston Program, if they follow permits and rules: 

Attic, walls, foundation, and basement insulation and associated requirements such as attic ventilation, foundation drainage and waterproofing; air barriers; window, skylights and exterior door replacements; tubular daylighting devices and exterior window shadings or films; air-sealing and weather stripping.

Thermostats and controllers, energy or heat recovery ventilators, air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, biomass wood-pellet heaters, heat distribution systems, duct sealing, fans, associated electrical equipment as required.

High-efficiency water heaters (i.e., heat pump, electric water tanks, etc.), drain water heat recovery systems, solar hot water systems.

Solar photovoltaic systems, electric vehicle charging stations (Level two), battery storage devices, associated electrical and load management equipment, including but not limited to, electric thermal storage.

This might include items like electrical wiring and panel upgrades that are required undertakings to permit energy improvements.

Storm damage prevention measures (e.g. rafter ties), back-flow prevention valves, sump pumps and basement waterproofing, exterior landscaping to redirect water away from the home, and/or increase permeability, eavestrough/downspout repairs/extensions.

Permanently affixed lighting, lighting controls, new energy efficient (certified) products will be considered as additional eligible technologies.

Contact

Program Manager
Better Homes Kingston
betterhomes@cityofkingston.ca
Phone: 613-217-7281

The City of Kingston acknowledges that we are on the traditional homeland of the Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat, and thanks these nations for their care and stewardship over this shared land.

Today, the City is committed to working with Indigenous peoples and all residents to pursue a united path of reconciliation.

Learn more about the City's reconciliation initiatives.