Skip to content

Clean energy retrofits available for 500 Vernon homes

Homeowners interested in learning more and being considered for the next phase can also attend online info sessions at homezerocollective.com starting Tuesday, Oct. 8

With the success of a neighbourhood retrofit pilot that saw 11 Vernon homes switch to electric heat pumps and hot water tanks, and generate the electricity to run them with solar panels – HomeZero Collective Society is scaling up in a big way.

The local non-profit has announced the start of a community engagement phase that aims to bring clean energy retrofits to 500 Vernon homes throughout the city over the next three years.

“We’ve learned so much about what’s possible when we do retrofits as a group, and now we have the support to put those learnings and benefits to use on a much larger scale – and take even greater climate action,” says Amandeep Singh, founder, HomeZero Collective Society.

The pilot, nearing completion on the last of 11 East Hill and Foothills homes, has proven that HomeZero’s neighbourhood retrofit model makes it easier, faster and more affordable to switch to clean energy systems.

Materials were purchased in bulk, installers moved efficiently from one nearby home to another, low-interest financing was provided along with government subsidies and rebates, and HomeZero coordinated all the work.

Now, participants save money, generate clean electricity and reduce their carbon emissions by 85 to 100 per cent.

“Aside from all of the future savings on energy and gas bills, we just really wanted to be part of the solution to reduce our carbon footprint,” says pilot homeowner Kevin O’Brien. “We have all talked about how we want to make things better for the future and this program gave us that chance.”

While installations were underway over the summer, Singh was busy using pilot insights to design a program that would reach many more residents ready to upgrade their homes.

Funding for program design – which covers planning everything from procurement to training green energy installers to securing low-interest lending – came from BC Hydro ($40,000), Community Futures North Okanagan ($5,000); and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund (GMF), through its Community Efficiency Financing initiative and with support from the Government of Canada, ($175,000).

“With this funding, we were able to invest in designing a program that will transform how Vernon tackles climate change, and act as a roadmap for other communities,” says Singh. “Collectively, we could reduce Vernon’s carbon emissions by 2,000 tons every year.”

The next phase will see 500 homes get retrofitted with cold-climate air source heat pumps, hybrid electric hot water tanks, solar panels and electric vehicle chargers.

The first 100 homeowners to sign up will receive a $5,000 subsidy from HomeZero to help offset the cost – in addition to significant provincial rebates, and low-interest financing – pending government support.

The retrofits will be carried out by a private arm of the HomeZero Collective organization to attract private capital and reduce fees for participants. The total cost of the project is estimated at $25 million.

To celebrate the success of the pilot and help next phase homeowners see how the process and systems work, HomeZero Collective is hosting Saturday open houses at pilot homes starting Oct. 12 at 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Homeowners interested in learning more and being considered for the next phase can also attend online info sessions at homezerocollective.com starting Tuesday, Oct. 8.

“Energy efficiency means cost savings for Canadians," said Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. "At a time when we are facing challenges with affordability and climate change, the HomeZero Collective’s collaborative work with BC Hydro and Community Futures North Okanagan will meet Vernon residents where they are at by providing access to affordable and achievable home retrofit projects that save money, reduce energy use, and generate clean electricity.”

Tamara Low is one of the pilot homeowners who says the home retrofit process seamless.

"From a homeowner's perspective, the completed project feels incredible, as do lower bills. As more and more people make the switch, I am sure the Earth will breathe a sigh of relief, too!”



Jennifer Smith

About the Author: Jennifer Smith

20-year-Morning Star veteran
Read more