Better Homes Lanark

Obtain a low interest loan to improve your home’s energy efficiency and comfort.

Overview

Looking to improve your home’s energy efficiency and save on energy bills? Better Homes Lanark offers low-interest loans for single-family homeowners within Lanark County to complete deep home energy retrofits.

You can access funding for home retrofit measures such as:

  • Building envelope upgrades (e.g., insulation, windows, doors, air sealing, and weather stripping)
  • Mechanical system upgrades (e.g., air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, ductless mini-split heat pumps, energy or heat recovery ventilators, drain-water heat recovery, electric water heaters)
  • Renewable energy (e.g., energy storage (batteries), solar PV panels, solar water heaters)
  • Smart and other technologies (e.g., electric vehicle chargers, energy storage (batteries), smart thermostats)
  • Upgrades to a home’s electrical panel if necessary
  • Climate adaptation measures (e.g., sump pumps, basement waterproofing, back-up generators)
  • Water efficiency improvements (e.g., low-flow toilets, hot water circulation pump and system)

We know home energy upgrades can be complex, which is why Better Homes Lanark offers a free Retrofit Coach service to all applicants. The Retrofit Coach will guide you through the entire process, ensuring you’re well informed and making the best decisions for your specific situation.

Applicant Eligibility
Participating in the program is your choice. Here’s what makes you eligible:

  • You must own a single-family home in Lanark County (excluding Smiths Falls).
  • All property owners must agree to join the program.
  • All property tax, utility bills, and other payments to the municipality must have been paid promptly within the last 5 years.
  • You must be able to achieve a minimum 30% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or energy consumption, as indicated through an EnerGuide Home Energy Evaluation.

Available Funding
As a Better Homes Lanark participant, you may be eligible for:

    • A low-interest loan (2.75%) between $10,000 and $40,000

Various non-repayable grants are available to loan recipients:

    • $1,000 for retrofit projects exceeding a 40% reduction in greenhouse gases or energy consumption.
    • $1,500 for incorporating climate resiliency measures.
    • Up to a total of $5,000 for households with an energy cost burden of greater than or equal to 6%. Energy cost burden refers to the percentage of after-tax income spent on home heating and electricity.

Participants can choose to repay their loan over a 5 to 20 year period, not exceeding the useful life of the installed improvements. Loan payments are made through a local improvement charge that gets added to your property tax bill and paid over the term of your loan to your municipality.

You can stack existing funding programs onto Better Homes Lanark, allowing you to achieve even greater home energy efficiency and cost savings. The Retrofit Coach can help you identify other funding programs you may be eligible for.

Application Process
Step 1: Submit a Pre-Application Form to confirm your eligibility

Step 2: Receive your notice of eligibility

Step 3: Complete a pre-retrofit EnerGuide assessment through a certified NRCan Energy Advisor

Step 4: Meet with the Retrofit Coach to review your EnerGuide assessment and decide on the most effective home improvements

Step 5: Collect your quotes and submit a Funding Request Form

Step 6: Enter a Property Owner Agreement and receive your initial disbursement

Step 7: Retrofit your home!

Step 8: Complete a post-retrofit EnerGuide assessment once the retrofits are complete

Step 9: Submit a Project Completion Report

Step 10: Receive your final disbursement

Step 11: Begin your repayment through your property tax bill

Apply Here

Retrofit Coach

Not sure where to start with your home energy retrofit? Better Homes Lanark offers a free Retrofit Coach service to all applicants to help guide you through the retrofit process. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to take the next step, the Retrofit Coach can help you make informed decisions with confidence.

As your energy-efficiency guide, the Retrofit Coach can help you:

  • Understand your home’s energy performance
  • Explore upgrade options like insulation, heat pumps, windows, and air sealing
  • Prepare for your home energy assessment
  • Navigate the Better Homes Lanark program and identify other rebates and incentives you make be eligible for – and how to apply

Choosing a Contractor

It is your responsibility to compare contractors. Be sure to ask for quotes in writing and insist on a written contract before work begins. You should contact at least three contractors prior to making a decision.

Choosing a contractor will determine the success of your project. This is true in all retrofit projects, but it is especially true for energy retrofits, which can involve newer technologies or specific installation techniques.

You want to make sure your chosen contractor(s) understand your project, understand the technologies, and understand the ‘house as a system’ approach to completing a successful energy retrofit. Ask any prospective contractor questions such as:

  • May I contact your references?
  • Have you completed an energy retrofit before?
  • Have you installed [XXXX] equipment before?
  • Can you make a recommendation on the order of the work to be done, and how to communicate between contractors to ensure everything is done correctly?
  • Are you familiar with the ‘whole house’ or ‘house as a system approach?’
  • Can you provide proof of your license to install equipment issued by the province or territory where the installation is being completed?
  • Will this project comply with local building codes, bylaws, and other legislation?
  • Will it require building or utility permits?
  • Do the products you recommend meet all applicable legislation and can you provide any available Material Safety Data Sheets?
  • What experience do you and your team have with these products and procedures and what challenges have you experienced?
  • What steps will you take to protect my home and family during and after the renovation?

Lanark County does not pre-qualify contractors or procure contractors or install retrofit improvements on behalf of homeowners. However, we offer contractor training sessions on the Better Homes Lanark program, building science principles, and features of high-performance homes. The contractors that have undergone this training are listed below.

Business Name Website Contact Information Services Available
Bonnechere Valley Windows and Doors www.bvwd.ca 613-628-3056 Windows and doors
Bottoms Up Construction  www.bottomsupconstruction.ca 613-453-5625 Home renovations, roofing, design, windows and doors
Build Kitchissippi Inc. www.buildkit.ca 613-853-4711 Home renovations
Burchell Glass Inc.  www.burchellglass.com 613-264-8662 Windows and doors, sunrooms, shower enclosures, commercial storefronts
Comfort Pro Ltd.  www.comfortpro.ca 613-253-4277  HVAC
Denoco Energy Systems Ltd. www.denoco.com 613-283-0574  HVAC and plumbing
Domi Lascelle Contracting Ltd. 613-200-9348 Insulation, roofing, carpentry, renovations, windows and doors
Dwellings Design-Build  www.ecobuilders.ca 613-290-4598 Insulation, design, windows and doors, general contracting and hempcrete
Future Solar and Electric www.futuresolarandelectric.com 613-297-0476 HVAC, solar and electrical
Gardiner’s Heating and Cooling 613-812-1501  HVAC
Green Built Homes www.greenbuilthomes.ca 613-200-2374 Renovations, design, construction
 HomeSol www.homesolbuildingsolutions.com  613-915-8165 Energy advisor
The Lanark Design/Build Group www.ldbg.ca  613-850-3707 Net Zero Builders and Renovators, design and construction, additions / renovations, windows, doors, insulation, retrofit advice
mySolar Ltd.  www.mysolarhome.ca  1-800-599-2641 Solar
Perth Planing Mill Supply  www.ppmsupply.com  613-267-0233 Insulation, roofing, windows and doors, ICF
RAWW Electric 613-200-0470 Electrical, solar
R.K. Porter General Contracting www.rkporter.com 613-264-8343 General contracting
SDR Electric Plumbing and Heating Inc. www.sdrelectric.ca  613-926-1623 HVAC, plumbing, solar and electrical
Spruce Bridge Construction  www.sprucebridge.com  613-264-3238 HVAC, plumbing, solar, insulation, roofing, energy advisor, electrical, design, windows and doors
TBG Mechanical Solutions Ltd.  www.tbg-mechanical.ca  613-229-4822 HVAC and plumbing
TM Roofing & Renovations  613-772-0078 Insulation, roofing, windows and doors, general renovations
Valley Plumbing, Heating, and Water Treatment www.valleywatertreatment.ca 613-267-5206 HVAC and plumbing
Vancy’s Electrical www.vancyselectrical.com 613-791-1388 Electrical

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my home qualify?
To qualify:

  • You must own a single-family home in Lanark County (excluding Smiths Falls).
  • All property owners must agree to join the program.
  • All property tax, utility bills, and other payments made to the municipality over the last 5 years must have been paid promptly.
  • You must be able to achieve a minimum 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions or energy consumption, as indicated through an EnerGuide Home Energy Evaluation.

Can I receive funding for upgrades completed before receiving program approval?
No, any upgrades that are completed before receiving a fully executed Property Owner Agreement will not be eligible to receive funding.
When can I start completing improvements?
To receive funding through Better Homes Lanark, you cannot complete any improvements before receiving a fully executed Property Owner Agreement.
Can I apply for other funding programs in addition to Better Homes Lanark?
Yes, Better Homes Lanark participants are encouraged to apply to other funding programs to support the cost of their deep energy retrofits. The Retrofit Coach will help you find other funding programs you might be eligible for. Any other funding received or expected to be received by the applicant must be indicated in the Funding Request Form.
Can I apply to the Better Homes Lanark Program twice?
Yes, you can apply to the Better Homes Lanark program twice as long as 1. you are applying for a different single-family home that you own and you meet all program eligibility requirements or 2. your total loan amount for a property stays within $40,000.
How long will it take for my application to be reviewed?
It will take approximately two weeks to review your application. Once you submit your application form, the County will contact your municipality to review your tax payment history to ensure all property tax, utility bills, and other payments made to the municipality over the last 5 years have been paid promptly.
How long do I have to complete my retrofit project?
You have one year to complete your retrofit project from the time you receive your notice of eligibility.
How do I receive the loan?
When completing your Funding Request Form, you can request an initial loan disbursement of either 30% or 50% of your funding request to help with contractor deposits and other upfront costs. You will receive this initial deposit upon entering a fully executed Property Owner Agreement. The remainder of your loan will be disbursed after your final Project Completion Report has been submitted and approved.
How do I repay the loan?
Your loan will appear as a special charge on your property tax bills received through your municipality. To participate in the program, you will be required to enroll in your municipality’s Pre-Authorized Property Tax Payment Program.
What does it mean that the loan is attached to my property?
The Better Homes Lanark loan will be attached to your property through a special charge that gets added to your property tax bill. The special is associated to the property, not the owner. This means that if you sell your home, the loan and the energy savings, transfer to the new owner. This lowers the risk of investing in upgrades, even if you don’t plan to stay long-term. You benefit from the energy savings while you live there, and the new owner takes over the payments when you move.
How long do I have to repay my loan?
Applicants can select a payment term of 5, 10, 15, or 20 years when completing their Funding Request Form. The loan term cannot exceed the useful life of the installed improvements.
Can I repay my loan early?
Yes, you can choose to pay off the remainder of your loan in one lump sum at any time without penalty.
What is the interest rate of the loan?
The Better Homes Lanark interest rate is fixed at 2.75%.

For further information, email betterhomeslanark@lanarkcounty.ca or call us at 613-267-4200, extension 3105.