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Better Homes Kingston Program

Low-interest home retrofit financing

Offered by
City of Kingston
Official source: cityofkingston.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 50,000
Up to 50% of project cost
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Residents of Kingston may be eligible for a loan for home energy efficiency improvements.
See full eligibility

Overview

Better Homes Kingston helps Kingston residential property owners finance energy-efficient, renewable energy, and water conservation upgrades through low-interest loans. Eligible work includes insulation, air sealing, heat pumps, solar photovoltaic systems, and other permanently attached home improvements.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$50,000
Maximum share of project costs
50%
Financing goals
  • Implement environmental initiatives
  • Reduce environmental footprint
  • Renovate or adapt facilities

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Kingston
  • Ontario
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • Canadians
Legal structures
Sole proprietorship

Start applying for this program

Take a practical assessment to gain a clear understanding of how well this program aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 1

Latest changes

Better Homes Kingston portal added

The application page now points approved applicants to the Better Homes Kingston portal, where they can work with an energy coach, submit required forms, and manage retrofit projects.

See more

The Apply for Better Homes Kingston Program page now includes an Approved applicants portal section for applicants who have received an Approval to Participate. It says the portal is used to work with an Energy Coach, submit required forms, and manage retrofit projects, and it adds a direct Access BHK Portal login link. This is a process and portal update rather than a change to eligibility or funding terms.

Official source: cityofkingston.ca
September 25, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Residents of Kingston may be eligible for a loan for home energy efficiency improvements.
  • Utilities Kingston Natural Gas Customers can qualify for rebates for specific upgrades.
  • Utilities Kingston Gas Customers can access financing and rebates, or rebates only.

Eligible expenses

  • Home energy assessments, including the EnerGuide Home Energy Assessment, eligible for a $600 rebate.
  • Insulation and associated requirements such as attic ventilation, foundation drainage and waterproofing.
  • Air barriers, window, skylight and exterior door replacements, tubular daylighting devices, exterior window shadings or films, air-sealing, and weather stripping.
  • Thermostats and controllers, energy or heat recovery ventilators, air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, biomass wood-pellet heaters, heat distribution systems, duct sealing, fans, and associated electrical equipment.
  • High-efficiency water heaters, drain water heat recovery systems, solar hot water systems, solar photovoltaic systems, electric vehicle charging stations, battery storage devices, associated electrical and load management equipment, storm damage prevention measures, back-flow prevention valves, sump pumps and basement waterproofing, exterior landscaping, eavestrough/downspout repairs/extensions, permanently affixed lighting, lighting controls, and new energy efficient certified products.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Maintenance costs.
  • Work started or paid for before completing the approval steps.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Kingston, Ontario.

Activities funded

  • Home energy efficiency improvements.
  • Renewable energy projects.
  • Water conservation projects.
  • Climate change mitigation and adaptation works on private residential property as local improvements.
  • Eligible home improvements that are permanently attached to the home and last five to 20 years, including insulation, air sealing, heat pumps, solar photovoltaic systems, and electric vehicle charging stations.

How to apply

  • Meet the requirements for the program and have your application reviewed by City staff.
  • Receive your Approval to Participate.
  • Access the Better Homes Kingston Portal after your initial application has been reviewed and you have received an Approval to Participate.
  • Create an account using your Better Homes Kingston username and temporary password, and work with a Better Homes Kingston energy coach to schedule a pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation if required.
  • Apply for other rebates and obtain quotes.
  • Submit your Funding Request Form through the BHK Portal with the help of the Energy Coach.

Documents Needed

  • Tax roll number
  • Utilities Kingston Account Number, if applicable
  • Funding Request Form

Selection criteria

  • Funding is secured on a first-come first-served basis.

Processing and Agreement

  • Your application will be reviewed by City staff.
  • Once you meet all the program's requirements, you will receive an Approval to Participate.
  • If you are applying for loan financing, you must sign the property owner agreement and wait for the completed agreement to be returned before moving forward.
  • After the Project Completion Report is received, the remainder of your loan and/or any rebates you are eligible for will be issued.

Additional information

  • An Energy Coach offers support to help make the process smooth.

Contacts

betterhomes@cityofkingston.ca
613-217-7281

Official sources

Apply for Better Homes Kingston Program
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Better Homes Kingston Program Program

What is the Better Homes Kingston Program?

Better Homes Kingston helps Kingston residential property owners finance energy-efficient, renewable energy, and water conservation upgrades through low-interest loans. Eligible work includes insulation, air sealing, heat pumps, solar photovoltaic systems, and other permanently attached home improvements.

How much funding can be received?

Better Homes Kingston Program Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $50,000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who is eligible for the Better Homes Kingston Program program?

To be eligible for the Better Homes Kingston Program program, you must: Own a detached house, semi-detached house, row house, or small residential apartment building that is not more than 3 storeys in height and 600m2 in building area. Primary residences and rental properties are eligible, and all property owners must agree to join the program. The property must have a property tax account and be up to date with property taxes, utility bills, and other payments.

What expenses are eligible under Better Homes Kingston Program?

Home energy assessments, including the EnerGuide Home Energy Assessment, eligible for a $600 rebate. Insulation and associated requirements such as attic ventilation, foundation drainage and waterproofing. Air barriers, window, skylight and exterior door replacements, tubular daylighting devices, exterior window shadings or films, air-sealing, and weather stripping. Thermostats and controllers, energy or heat recovery ventilators, air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, biomass wood-pellet heaters, heat distribution systems, duct sealing, fans, and associated electrical equipment. High-efficiency water heaters, drain water heat recovery systems, solar hot water systems, solar photovoltaic systems, electric vehicle charging stations, battery storage devices, associated electrical and load management equipment, storm damage prevention measures, back-flow prevention valves, sump pumps and basement waterproofing, exterior landscaping, eavestrough/downspout repairs/extensions, permanently affixed lighting, lighting controls, and new energy efficient certified products.

Who can I contact for more information about the Better Homes Kingston Program?

You can contact City of Kingston by email at betterhomes@cityofkingston.ca or by phone at 613-217-7281.

Where is the Better Homes Kingston Program available?

The Better Homes Kingston Program program is available the province of Ontario.