Saanich opens Heat Pump Financing Program for fifth intake

Information Bulletin
For immediate release

Saanich, BC – The popular Heat Pump Financing Program is once again accepting applications from residents.

Launched in partnership with the District of Central Saanich in April 2022, this is the fifth intake for the innovative program that provides interest-free financing up to $12,000, helping residents upgrade their oil, natural gas, or propane heating systems to electric heat pumps. Homeowners can spread the repayment over ten years through an additional levy on their property tax payments, making these sustainable energy updates more accessible.

The program is designed to address the up-front cost barrier of a heat pump for homeowners while taking climate action by drastically reducing participants’ greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving their resilience through the addition of cooling.

To improve access for low and moderate-income households, 50% of spaces are reserved for income-qualified participants. These households can also access up to $9,500 in incentives for a heat pump and $3,500 for an electrical service upgrade from the Province’s CleanBC Income Qualified Program.  

Of the households in the program to date, participants reported spending an average of nearly $2,500 to heat their homes with oil heating and a study led by the District found that homes reduced their energy bills by 10% on average when replacing their gas heating with a heat pump.

The deadline for applications is September 22, 2024 and 38 spots are available during this intake.

Learn more

Find out more about the Heat Pump Financing eligibility requirements and steps to participate at saanich.ca/heatpumpfinancing.

Participants are also strongly encouraged to sign up for the complementary Home Energy Navigator program, which offers free expert support throughout the retrofit journey for residents in the Capital Region. 

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Media contact:
Saanich Communications
media@saanich.ca