Better Homes Hamilton Program

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Visit www.hamilton.ca/betterhomeshamilton to learn more about the Better Homes Hamilton program.

The City of Hamilton is on a mission to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. To do this City Council approved the design and development of a Home Energy Retrofit Program Opportunity, previously known as HERO, has now been rebranded as the Better Homes Hamilton program.

The Better Homes Hamilton (BHH) program is meant to provide a low barrier access to property owners with upfront capital in order to retrofit their buildings to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, improve energy efficiency, and to live more comfortably.

Pilot Project

To achieve this City Council approved the Better Homes Hamilton Pilot Project which is scheduled to launch before the end of 2023 with the objective to provide up to $1 million in loans to homeowners. The pilot stage of the program is targeting approximately 50 homes with each property able to receive a maximum of $20,000.

Visit www.hamilton.ca/betterhomeshamilton to learn more about the Better Homes Hamilton program.

The City of Hamilton is on a mission to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. To do this City Council approved the design and development of a Home Energy Retrofit Program Opportunity, previously known as HERO, has now been rebranded as the Better Homes Hamilton program.

The Better Homes Hamilton (BHH) program is meant to provide a low barrier access to property owners with upfront capital in order to retrofit their buildings to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, improve energy efficiency, and to live more comfortably.

Pilot Project

To achieve this City Council approved the Better Homes Hamilton Pilot Project which is scheduled to launch before the end of 2023 with the objective to provide up to $1 million in loans to homeowners. The pilot stage of the program is targeting approximately 50 homes with each property able to receive a maximum of $20,000.

Tell us your story

If you are a homeowner who recently completed any energy efficiency upgrades to your property then we want to hear from you! Please share with us any stories, and pictures, of home improvements that you have made that have helped you reduce energy, reduce emissions, save money and live more comfortably.  

  • Installed a new Air Source Heat Pump and love it? Then share it! 
  • Saving money on installing new insulation or sealing? Great lets hear about it! 
  • Living more comfortably because of a smart thermostat or other building upgrades? Amazing we are all ears!
Thank you for sharing your story with us.
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  • Share 1898 home with a hybrid heat pump on Facebook Share 1898 home with a hybrid heat pump on Twitter Share 1898 home with a hybrid heat pump on Linkedin Email 1898 home with a hybrid heat pump link

    1898 home with a hybrid heat pump

    by peter.vk, almost 3 years ago

    Our old place in Hamilton taught us a lot about going green. Instead of choosing a regular air conditioner, we decided to try something different - a central heat pump that used our existing gas furnace as backup. Some folks call it a hybrid system.

    What's great about this heat pump is that it worked just like an air conditioner in the summer, but also took care of heating during the winter. The gas furnace only came into play during the coldest months. This meant that we ended up using a lot less gas - our usage dropped by more... Continue reading

    Our old place in Hamilton taught us a lot about going green. Instead of choosing a regular air conditioner, we decided to try something different - a central heat pump that used our existing gas furnace as backup. Some folks call it a hybrid system.

    What's great about this heat pump is that it worked just like an air conditioner in the summer, but also took care of heating during the winter. The gas furnace only came into play during the coldest months. This meant that we ended up using a lot less gas - our usage dropped by more than 60%. And the best part? Our greenhouse gas emissions dropped by a similar amount.

    I remember sitting down to do the math in early 2022. Yes, our running costs did increase by about 7%, but guess what? Gas prices have been going up like crazy ever since. Plus, the comfort in our house totally leveled up. We said goodbye to our struggling window ACs and hello to a heat pump that could cool the whole place with ease.

    But there's more. After moving to another house in the lower part of the city, we're now planning to go completely off natural gas. Why, you ask? Because the benefits of going green are hard to ignore - lower emissions, cost savings in the long run, and a more comfortable living environment.

    Right now, I'm in the thick of getting energy audits, collecting quotes, and applying for grants and loans to help with the costs. It's a bit of work, but if you're looking to make a difference in your own way, this could be a route worth considering.

    Here are the more detailed numbers about the first year of the heat pump at our previous house: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17948767996962651/