City of Nanaimo seeking input for home energy retrofit financing options

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed May 8, 2025 12:00 PM

Summary

The City of Nanaimo is looking to the community to gain a better understanding of financing options for home energy retrofits from local homeowners' perspective. Nanaimo homeowners who are considering retrofitting their homes with energy-efficient items such as heat pumps, new windows or solar panels, and are also seeking financing, can sign up for an interview with the City's Sustainability staff. The result of the interviews will be analyzed to help inform City's future actions on how best to support home energy retrofits. No financial information will be collected.

Recently, the City launched the Home Energy Retrofit Financing Program, a pilot program that offers interest-free financing up to $15,000 to help Nanaimo homeowners access funding for retrofitting their homes with energy-efficient options. The financing is repaid over 10 years through an additional levy on the home's property tax payment. While this program works for some, it may not be an option for others.

The interviews are open to all homeowners within City of Nanaimo limits, including those who own manufactured homes. Interested homeowners have until May 31 to sign up for an interview. To sign up, ask questions and find more information, visit the program page on Get Involved Nanaimo.

Link to Strategic Plan: Helping homeowners switch to energy-efficient options supports Council's commitment to sustainability and ultimately helps to lessen the impact of local energy use.

Key Points

The City will be conducting one-on-one interviews with homeowners to learn about their individual needs for financing. Interested homeowners can sign up by May 31, 2025 for an interview.
Home energy retrofits such as switching from fossil fuel space heating to an electric heat pump, installing solar panels, replacing windows and adding insulation help to make homes more energy-efficient, can reduce energy bills and contribute toward meeting the City's climate change goals.
The City's Home Energy Retrofit Financing Program is accepting applications until May 15, 2025. Visit the program page on www.nanaimo.ca to apply and for more information.

Quotes

"The Home Energy Retrofit Financing Pilot Program has been helpful for homeowners in Nanaimo who qualify for it. We want to create options that suit the needs of a wider group of residents so it's easier on their wallet to make the switch to a more energy-efficient home."

Ting Pan

Manager, Sustainability

City of Nanaimo

Contact:

For media enquiries, please contact:

Communications

City of Nanaimo

250-754-4251

Media.Requests@nanaimo.ca

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