COLD LAKE – Homeowners in Cold Lake still have the chance to take advantage of the City’s Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP), which helps cover the cost of energy-efficient upgrades with flexible, low-interest financing.
“CEIP provides a low-interest loan to homeowners who want to make qualifying upgrades to the energy efficiency of their home,” said Brad Schultz, Principal Planner with the City.
Unlike traditional loans, Schultz explained that the CEIP is tied to the property itself. “The advantage of the CEIP program is that the loan is tied to the property, and not to the individual homeowner, so if the owner sells their home, the buyer who will continue to benefit from the CEIP upgrades will pay the remaining balance on the loan through the annual property taxes.”
The program opened to the public in early 2024 after an 18-month setup and has since seen steady interest, with most projects focused on heating, insulation, and air sealing, said Shultz.
Homeowners begin by applying for pre-qualification through the program administrator, followed by an EnerGuide home evaluation to confirm which upgrades will be most beneficial. Once approved, applicants can choose their improvements, hire a qualified contractor, and sign a Clean Energy Improvement agreement.
After the upgrades are complete, a post-upgrade EnerGuide evaluation measures the results. “Once the project is complete, the loan amount will be repaid in annual installments as an added item on the property tax bill, however, the property owner can pay the outstanding balance at any time,” Schultz explained.
Since the program started, several projects have moved forward in Cold Lake, including upgrades to furnaces, water heating, solar panels, insulation, windows, and doors. “There are seven qualified contractors in Cold Lake. It’s a great way to support our local businesses, by encouraging people to hire a qualified contractor from our area for their energy efficient upgrades,” said Mayor Craig Copeland.
Contractors can become CEIP qualified at no cost by applying through Alberta Municipalities.
“Once a contractor has been qualified, they are added to the directory of qualified contractors on the CEIP website,” Schultz said.
To be eligible, upgrades must cost at least $3,000, with a funding cap of $50,000. The CEIP levy cannot exceed the annual property tax bill, and applicants must not be in arrears with the City. Funding for the program is secured until January 2027, after which council will decide if it will be extended.
Currently in Cold Lake, one CEIP project is complete, two are in progress, and four new applications are under review.
