• At least 80 percent of project costs must be for energy-efficiency.
• 20 percent of project costs may be used for other eligible upgrades.
• Appliances, cosmetic upgrades, routine maintenance, or upgrades that you have already completed are not eligible for financing.

Energy-efficiency upgrades include:

Attics, basements, windows, walls

• Attic, walls, foundation, and basement insulation.
• Air barriers.
• Window, skylights and exterior door replacements.
• Air-sealing and weather stripping.

Water heating

• Electric or heat pump water heaters.
• Drain water heat recovery systems.
• Solar hot water systems.

Lighting

• Permanently affixed lighting.
• Lighting controls.

Solar panels, batteries and EV chargers

• Rooftop or ground mounted solar photovoltaic systems.
• Battery storage devices.

Heating, cooling, ventilation

• Thermostats and controllers.
• Energy or heat recovery ventilators.
• Air source and ground source heat pumps.
• Heat distribution systems.
• Duct sealing, fans.
• Associated electrical equipment, as required.

Other eligible upgrades:

Water efficiency

• Low-flow fixtures.

Flood prevention

• Back-flow prevention valves.
• Sump pumps.
• Basement waterproofing.
• Permeable pavement.

Electrical upgrades and EV charging

• Electrical wiring and panel upgrades.
• Electrical and load management equipment.
• Electric vehicle charging stations.

Permits and assessments

• EnerGuide Home Energy Evaluation costs.
• Building permit costs.

• The maximum loan amount must not exceed $125 000

• Only projects approved in the application after enrollment in the DGH LIC program will be considered for any loan amount.

• Pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluations are only eligible if completed on or after April 28, 2022.

• Post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluations are only eligible if completed after enrollment in the DGH LIC program.

• Loans are only disbursed upon completion of the project and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation and a project completion report.

• Mandatory participation in case studies (various media formats).

• Mandatory data sharing — at least 24 months of energy and utility data pre-and post-renovation for Measure and Verification purposes.

1. Book a free consultation with a Durham Greener Homes Coach.

2. Your coach will inform you of available loans, rebates, and help you decide which applicable funding programs make sense for your renovation plans.

3. Fill out the Eligibility Verification Form provided by your Greener Homes Coach.

4. Upload the Eligibility Verification form to your user portal.

5. Your Greener Homes Coach will review your application, and if approved will send you a funding request form so you can proceed with a loan request.

6. If you have not already done so, have a pre-retrofit EnerGuide Home Energy Evaluation performed on your home (pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluations are only eligible if completed on or after April 28, 2022)

7. Upload the application form alongside your EnerGuide Energy Evaluation documents and contractor quotes of planned upgrades to your user portal.

8. If everything is approved, your Greener Homes Coach will pass along a Property Owner Agreement to be signed

9. Access up to 50% of the eligible funds.

10. Complete your approved retrofits (be sure to retain all documents, receipts, and invoices)

11. Complete a post-retrofit EnerGuide Home Energy Evaluation

12. Submit a Project Completion Report (which will include your post-retrofit EnerGuide Home Energy Evaluation along with all documents and invoices of the completed retrofits) to your user portal.

13. If all conditions are met, you will receive the remaining funding amount.

14. You can choose to pay off the lump sum of the balance at any point otherwise repayments for the loan will be made through property taxes.