The Home Upgrades Program provides personalized home upgrades installed by a professional to reduce gas, electricity, and water use. Income-qualified Calgarians can receive high-efficiency furnaces, hot water tanks, toilets, insulation upgrades, draft proofing and more—at no cost.
Homes are eligible for the program if they are:
built before 1998;
detached homes, duplexes, or townhomes;
not electrically heated; and
installed on a permanent foundation.
The Home Upgrades Program is open to both homeowners and renters. Eligibility is based on the number of people living in the home and the total household income (including income from anyone 18 or older who lives in the home).
Upgrades are recommended by a licensed professional based on what your home needs most and what will make the biggest difference to your energy and water bills—but it’s always your choice. You can choose to opt out of any upgrades.
We also encourage you to speak with our assessors and let them know about your experiences, concerns, and anything that’s been challenging in your home. Your input helps us select the most suitable upgrades for you and your home.
You can submit any of the following documents to confirm your income meets the eligibility criteria:
You will also need to submit a copy of your utility bill with your name on it to confirm you are the primary utility holder.
Email The City of Calgary or call 311. You can also find information about the Calgary Home Upgrades Program at Calgary.ca/ClimateEquity.
Protect yourself from scams. This program will never do door-to-door sales. Only authorized Home Upgrades Program team members and contractors can deliver this program and we will never show up unannounced.
Step 1: Once you have submitted your application form you will receive an email confirming if you’re eligible or not.
Step 2: You will be asked to confirm your household income (from anyone 18 or older living in your home) and share your utility bills.
Step 3: If your home qualifies, we’ll contact you to book a time for one of our friendly home assessors to visit. During the walkthrough, they’ll install some immediate gas, electricity, and water-saving items, such as LED light bulbs and faucet aerators. They’ll also complete an official EnerGuide assessment to helps us understand how your home uses energy and where improvements can be made. Learn more about EnerGuide.
Step 4: Our team will develop a customized plan with all the upgrades we recommend to help lower your utility bills and make your home safer, more comfortable and more energy and water efficient.
Step 5: You get to review and approve everything before any work begins. Once you’ve signed off on the detailed list of upgrades, we’ll take care of the rest — providing the materials and coordinating certified contractors to do the work, all at no cost to you.
Step 6: After the upgrades are complete, we’ll give you tips on how to maintain your new equipment and we’ll always be here to answer any questions you may have. Learn more about the steps to participating in the program.
No. We have licensed professionals that support the program and install all the upgrades. These services are free and included in the program, which will save you time and energy! All you need to do is ensure someone is home to let them in and that the space is clear of items so our professional contractors have room to install the upgrades.
Yes, renters can apply as long as they meet the eligibility criteria above. Both the renter and landlord will need to sign an agreement with The City of Calgary before any upgrades can move forward. This ensures everyone is on the same page about the planned work and protects the rights of both the renters and landlords.
An EnerGuide assessment helps us understand how your home currently uses energy. We use it to identify upgrades that will reduce your home’s gas, electricity, and water use. A registered energy advisor will assess your home from the basement to the attic and provide you with an EnerGuide label and report that will help us make decisions about possible upgrades. Think of the EnerGuide label like a nutrition label on food, but for your home. It is just like the EnerGuide labels that you see on new appliances, but for your whole home. Learn more about EnerGuide assessments and labels here.
The initial assessment takes about two hours. There is a final assessment after your upgrades have been installed – this takes about one hour.
Yes! The Home Upgrades Program is fully funded by The City of Calgary and all upgrades are completely free of charge.
Your monthly utility bills are a helpful way to see how much energy and water you’re using at home. Even if the amount you owe changes month to month, you can still track your actual consumption and see how small changes make a difference over time. Want to learn how to read your energy bills more confidently? Sign up for a free workshop to learn easy ways to save gas, electricity, and water, hosted by Empower Me on behalf of The City of Calgary. Register now.
Learn how to reduce gas, electricity, and water use at home while improving home comfort and safety with Empower Me.
This free do-it-yourself RetroKit, packed with items that are easy to install, is delivered right to your door. Improve your home with LED light bulbs, leak detection tablets, a smart power bar and more!
When Kari's furnace failed during a cold snap, she called the Home Upgrades Program and received the support she needed.
"It’s been a highlight of my year"
A long-time Calgary resident speaks to media about the Home Upgrades Program
Receive updates from The City on the Home Upgrades Program. You’ll learn about new and upcoming climate equity programs and information on how to reduce your gas, electricity, and water use while adapting to a changing climate.
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