About The Net Zero Renovation Program
About the Towards Net Zero Reno Initiative
Improving the energy efficiency of existing homes is crucial to reaching Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions goals. There are over 15 million existing homes in Canada, almost all of which can improve their energy performance. Through this initiative we will be advancing innovative technologies and approaches to pursue net zero levels of performance in the most cost-effective ways possible, a key to making it possible for more Canadians to reduce their GHG emissions at home.
With support from Natural Resources Canada, CHBA is working with select Municipalities who have programs supporting deep energy retrofits and working to give direction to their constituents on viable pathways to upgrade their existing home to Net Zero or Net Zero Ready. The scope of this project is to support industry in delivering 100-150 Net Zero Renovations across Canada, representing a variety of climate zones and geographical areas. See the participating Municipalities below. Check to see if this project is underway in your area as there will be opportunities to advance your Net Zero knowledge and skills and even become Net Zero Qualified!
CHBA's role is to work with our industry to build capacity through providing Net Zero training for Renovators, Energy Advisors and relevant contractors, and to develop tools and processes that will allow for a scalable and cost-effective house-as-a-system approach to improving homes through the CHBA Net Zero Home Labelling Program.
Are you an energy advisory or renovator enrolling in this initiative? Let us know by filling in this enrollment form.
Meet the Participating Municipalities
Housing Mission:
The Regional District of Nanaimo has committed to reducing our emissions to 80% of 2007 levels by 2050, including those from our existing buildings. Working with our municipal partners and our local home building and renovation industry, the Regional District supports equitable approaches for improving the climate resilience of our building stock, while keeping costs manageable for our residents.
To support our residents, the Regional District offers our Climate Resilient Homes program, which connects residents with small rebates, knowledge, and supports like the Home Energy Navigator to assist them through the renovation process. Our programs are designed to meet residents where they are at, ranging from just wanting more info all the way through to completing a net zero home renovation.
Links:
Contact Info
Jessica Beaubier
Climate Change and Resilience Coordinator,
250-390-6568,sustainability@rdn.bc.ca– please contact via email
Housing Mission:
The City of Edmonton declared a climate emergency in 2019 and is committed to transitioning to a low-carbon future. Residential buildings account for 18% of Edmonton’s community greenhouse gas emissions. To help Edmontonians increase the efficiency of their homes and residential properties, Edmonton is working to encourage deep energy retrofits and net zero pathways through outreach and education, financing programs, and strategic incentives. We will work together to address climate challenges and risks, and pursue the opportunities that arise from a changing climate.
Links:
- Edmonton’s Solar Potential Map
- Edmonton’s Home Energy Map
- The Clean Energy Improvement Program
- The Home Upgrades Program in collaboration with Alberta Ecotrust and Kambo Energy Group
Stay tuned to Change for Climate to receive program announcements
Did you know?
Edmonton is the home of Canada's largest urban park with more than 160 km of maintained pathways and 20 major sub-parks.
Contact Info
Lauren Hall
Program Coordinator, Environment & Climate Resilience
lauren.hall@edmonton.ca
Wai Tse Ramirez
General Supervisor, Environment & Climate Resilience
waitse.ramirez@edmonton.ca
Housing Mission:
The City will work to improve climate resilience and building energy performance in residential properties through education, engagement, advocacy, and incentive programs. A holistic approach to climate resilience, low carbon energy alternatives and buildings that promote wellness is necessary to manage the many facets of climate change in both new and existing buildings.
Links:
- Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP)
- Home Energy Label Program
- Green Building Priority Stream
- Climate Ready Home Guide
Did you know?
The City of Calgary resides on the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in southern Alberta This includes the Blackfoot First Nation tribes of Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai; the Stoney Nakoda First Nation tribes of Chiniki, Bearspaw and Wesley; and the Tsuut’ina First Nation. The City of Calgary is also homeland to the historic Northwest Metis and to Metis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.
Contact Info
Eric Timmins
Corporate Environmental Specialist – Residential Portfolio, Climate and Environment, City of Calgary, eric.timmins@calgary.ca
Housing Mission:
Saskatoon’s Low Emission’s Community Plan aims to incentivize homeowners to complete deep energy retrofits. The City also has a GHG emissions reduction target of net zero by 2050. In 2019, 24% of Saskatoon’s GHG emissions come from energy use in residential housing, meaning reductions in household energy use are critical to meeting the City’s targets. In September 2021, the City launched the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP), which provides low-interest loans to homeowners to renovate their home for energy efficiency. This program is currently full and not accepting new applications. To enhance this program, the City launched a Residential Solar Map and Energy Coaching Service for residents to learn more about energy in their home and the benefits of installing rooftop solar. A new resource hub for energy renovations is also available at Saskatoon.ca/RenoResources which compiles all the incentive and educational tools available for homeowners looking to renovate their home. More new tools are coming online in Fall 2023 and will be posted on the Reno Resources website when available.
Links:
- Saskatoon.ca/RenoResources
- Residential Potential Solar Map
- Energy Coaching Service
- HELP Net Zero Homes
- Home Energy Map
Did you know?
Saskatoon Shines! It’s not just a slogan but a fact that our city is one of the sunniest places in Canada. Saskatoon receives 2,268 hours of glorious sun annually, making it a great place for rooftop solar!
Contact Info
Hilary Carlson
Greenhouse Gas Controls Specialist, hilary.carlson@saskatoon.ca
Housing Mission:
Within London’s Climate Emergency Action Plan, as part of our Taking Action Now (Household Actions) Area of Focus, one of our key actions is to work with community partners to engage London homeowners on energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy climate actions. City staff are also exploring options for a home energy retrofit pilot project that would complement existing programs delivered by the Government of Canada.
Links:
Did you know?
Many Londoners know that Labatt Memorial Park is the world's longest continuously operating baseball grounds in the world, opening in 1877. The streak is even recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records! But did you also know the baseball diamond, and the neighbourhood around it were impacted by severe flooding in 1883 and 1937? These floods led London to build an extensive dyke system along the different branches of the river protecting residents, businesses, educational institutions, and important destinations like Labatt Park. As our community adapts and mitigates the effects of climate change, infrastructure like these dykes are critical parts of our Climate Emergency Action Plan.
Contact Info
James A. (Jamie) Skimming, P.Eng.
Manager, Energy & Climate Change, City of London, jskimmin@london.ca
Housing Mission:
Toronto City Council has adopted an ambitious strategy to reduce community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Toronto to net zero by 2040 – 10 years earlier than initially proposed. Homes and buildings that use gas or fossil fuels for heating and hot water are Toronto's largest emissions source today. The City of Toronto is committed to supporting and developing pathways for homes and buildings to switch to cleaner energy sources and make them much more energy efficient. The City of Toronto offers a range of programs, funding, and supports to help residents create more comfortable and climate-friendly homes and buildings.
Links:
City of Toronto's Net Zero Strategies:
- TransformTO - The City of Toronto's climate action strategy to reduce community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Toronto to net zero by 2040
- Net Zero Existing Buildings Strategy - the City of Toronto's plan to advance the decarbonization of all homes and buildings in Toronto.
Programs for Net Zero Homes & Buildings:
- Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) - low-interest loans for low-rise residential homes to undertake energy-efficient and carbon-reduction retrofits.
- High-rise Retrofit Improvement Support (Hi-RIS) - low-cost financing available for building improvements in residential apartment buildings, three or more storeys.
- SolarTO - information and resources to help Toronto residents and businesses assess the rooftop solar potential of their properties and proceed through the steps to installation.
- Better Buildings Navigation & Support Services - provides building owners, operators, and property managers support navigating the process of improving the energy efficiency of their buildings and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Energy Retrofit Loans - fixed, long-term, low-interest financing to enable building owners to invest in low-carbon, energy-efficient capital improvements.
Did you know?
Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses
Contact Info
Abraham Wairisal
Senior Energy Consultant
Abraham.Wairisal@toronto.ca
Housing Mission:
Durham’s low carbon pathway calls for deep energy retrofits across all existing homes and buildings in the Region. In the residential sector, this means 200,000 existing single family homes need to be retrofitted over the next several decades. The Durham Greener Homes program has been established in partnership with the Windfall Ecology Centre to accelerate the pace and depth of home energy retrofits in the Region.
Links:
Did you know?
Canada Dry Ginger Ale was invented in Durham Region in 1904!
Housing Mission:
The City of Ottawa has declared a climate emergency, as well as a housing and homelessness emergency in the last 5 years. In light of this, the City of Ottawa’s Climate Change and Resiliency team is focused on achieving deep retrofits in all homes across the municipality, and is particularly dedicated to supporting affordable housing providers in realizing retrofits that reduce operating costs while improving living conditions for tenants.
Links:
Did you know?
Ottawa was early in the electrification game – the City of Ottawa was the first to have electric streetlights, installed in 1855.
Contact Info
Aaron Thornell
Outreach & Communications Coordinator – Residential Retrofit Program, betterhomes@ottawa.ca
Housing Mission:
Wellington County adopted is its first climate change plan in 2021. Our Future Focused plan seeks to improve home comfort, health and equity as we strive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new and existing homes.
Links:
Did you know?
Wellington County contributes $841 million to Ontario’s GDP and employs over 12,260 people. This is remarkable given that the County covers only 0.2% of Ontario’s total land area.
Contact Info
Karen Chisholme
Climate Change and Sustainability Manager, County of Wellington
karenc@wellington.ca
Housing Mission:
As a central pillar of HalifACT, the Halifax Regional Municipality’s climate action plan, we are working to increase the integration of renewable energy, energy efficiency and climate resilience in the homes of residents across the municipality. This builds from the success of the region’s firmly established Solar City program, which has so far facilitated the implementation of over $20 million in solar energy upgrades and kickstarted the solar energy industry. HalifACT is dedicated to reassessing the Solar City Program through the lens of equitable access, loan product competitiveness and the ability to scale to meet climate targets.
Links:
Did you know?
Halifax is the economic centre of Nova Scotia, which has around 7,500 kilometres of shoreline. For over a century, Nova Scotia has been called “Canada’s ocean playground” because it is bordered by four extraordinary bodies of water: the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the Gulf of Maine, the Bay of Fundy and, of course, the Atlantic Ocean.
Contact Info
Kevin Boutilier, Manager of Community Energy
boutilke@halifax.ca
Matthew Glynn, Clean Energy Specialist
glynnm@halifax.ca
Chris Bernard, Clean Energy Specialist
bernarc@halifax.ca