Saskatchewan’s Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) helps Saskatchewan homeowners improve their homes’ energy efficiency, install renewable energy, or reduce water use.
Loans between $1,000 and $60,000 are available from the City for eligible retrofits that would be repaid over 5, 10, or 20 years through property taxes. The Home Energy Loan Program offers rebates to all participants making even more energy retrofits possible that improve the energy performance of the participants home.
If your household is income-qualified you can qualify for a variety of additional rebates to help offset the costs of upgrading existing products in your home.
- Why get a HELP loan?
- Am I eligible for HELP Loan Program?
- What are the terms for a HELP Loan Program?
- Will my project require a building permit from the city?
- What is a property tax lien?
- What if I sell my home before the HELP loan is paid off?
- Provincial & Federal Incentives
- Need help for Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)?
Why Get A HELP Loan?
A HELP loan provides a low-interest option to cover the costs associated with renovating your home for energy efficiency or renewable energy. The loan balance can be repaid early at any time, without penalty.
A HELP loan is attached to the property, not the homeowner. This means if you move before your loan is paid off, the new owner of that home can continue to make the loan payments as they will receive the benefit from the upgrades.
An energy efficient home is more affordable in the long term as it leads to lower energy bills. It’s also more comfortable and better for your health with fewer drafts and better air quality, and it is essential in reducing household greenhouse gas emissions in our community.
Am I Eligible for HELP Loan program?
Owners of single-family residential homes including detached homes, semi-detached homes and row housing within Saskatchewan city limits are eligible for HELP.
Please click here to review the detailed eligibility conditions for HELP.
What Are The Terms For A HELP Loan program?
The minimum loan to participate in the program is $1,000. The maximum loan amount for this program is $40,000, unless you can provide details that your project will reduce your home’s energy consumption by 50% or more, then you can receive a maximum loan of $60,000. The City will help with modeling if you think your project will meet the criteria for a $60,000 loan program. There is a $500 administration fee to participate in the program.
Admin fees will be waived for income-qualified applicants, based on 2.5X Statistics Canada’s Low Income Cut-Off (LICO).
If your total household income is below the limits in the table, based on the number of people in your household, you could have the admin fee waived for the program. If this applies to you, include your proof of income with your application to avoid paying the $500 admin fee.
| Number of people per household | Total household income limit to qualify for rebates and waived Administration Fee |
|---|---|
| 1 | $65,725 |
| 2 | $81,818 |
| 3 | $100,585 |
| 4 | $122,128 |
| 5 | $138,510 |
| 6 | $156,220 |
| 7+ | $174,378 |
Homeowners must schedule a pre- and post-project energy efficiency audit with a registered energy advisor on their home to participate in the loan program. Homeowners can choose the repayment term that best suits their needs between the options of 5, 10 or 20 years.
Home Energy Audit is the first step to start your retrofit grant
Interest rates will be updated for the loan program on an annual basis, but only for new applicants that have not already signed a contract with the City. If you have already completed a project through HELP or signed a contract with the City, your rate will be fixed for the life of your loan.
Will My Project Require A Building Permit From The City?
Some eligible projects, like solar panel installations, basement renovations, exterior wall insulation, changing the size of an existing window or door space, and any structural upgrades or modifications will require a building permit in addition to your HELP application.
Other projects, like furnace upgrades, heat pump installations, and window and door upgrades will not require a building permit as long as the existing building or structure is not altered in any way. It is your responsibility to determine if you need a building or plumbing permit. Consult with your chosen contractor or contact us for more information.
Failure to secure building permits for structural changes to your home could delay payment to your contractors or result in being denied financing. Applicable building permits must be closed prior to the City paying out your final loan amount to contractors.
What is a Property Tax Lien?
A property tax lien is a legal claim that the City registers against the title of your home. The property tax lien remains on your home until the HELP loan is repaid in full. Once your loan is repaid the lien will be removed.
It gives the City the ability to collect on the balance of the HELP loan and any outstanding property taxes should the property owner default on the agreed upon loan payment and/or the annual property taxes.
A lien will show up during a property title search and may affect your ability to get additional credit which is tied to your property. For example, a line of credit which uses your home as collateral or an additional mortgage.
What if I sell my home before the HELP loan is paid off?
On sale of a property with a HELP loan , the loan can be assumed by the new owner of the property or paid off in full by the seller. This is to be negotiated between the buyer and seller.
The City does not require the HELP loan to be repaid in full on the sale of the property. However, if you are selling a property with a HELP loan, you must notify the City of the sale within 14 days and provide contact information for your new residence. A lien will show up on a title search for the property if someone is looking to purchase that property.
Provincial & Federal Incentives
The Home Energy Loan Program is stackable with incentives from other levels of government, but these incentives require residents to apply for them separately, in addition to the HELP application.
Residents interested in HELP could be eligible for these incentive programs:
- Canada Greener Homes Program
- SaskEnergy Residential Rebate Programs
- SaskPower Energy Assistance Program
Need help for Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)?
If you need assistance with the application process or have any questions about your EnerGuide audit, product specifications, or which projects are eligible for HELP, you can call us.
If you reside in Saskatoon, please click here for further information.
As a property owner, you can complete the initial online application form through the link below. After the city receives this form, it will be reviewed based on the eligibility criteria. You will be notified by email whether your application has been approved or rejected, along with the reasons for the decision.
Additionally, you can refer to the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) page for more information about the application process. If you require assistance with any of the application steps, you can seek help from us and our energy consultants.
All Season Inspection is one of Canada’s top service providers of Home Energy Audit licensed by Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN) that provide service. Our NRCAN Registered Home Energy Advisor undertaking your home energy evaluation.
Home Energy Audit Booking
Take the first step towards a greener and more cost-effective future by scheduling a home energy inspection today!
Our professional team of experts is here to help you uncover hidden energy inefficiencies in your home. During the inspection, we will thoroughly assess your property, identifying areas where energy is being wasted and providing you with valuable recommendations for improvement.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Our team is ready to assist you in creating a more energy-efficient and comfortable living space. Take control of your energy usage and start saving today!
