Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP)
What is CEIP?
The program is administered by Alberta Municipalities.
Prepare your application
Visit ceip.abmunis.ca/calgary to read the CEIP Terms and Conditions, and prepare for your application.
Receive email updates
Sign up to receive email updates and we will keep you informed on when the program will reopen, and how you can participate. We will only contact you about the Clean Energy Improvement Program.
How does CEIP work?
Completing a clean energy improvement through CEIP follows these eight steps:
- Pre-Qualification – Read the CEIP Terms and Conditions and complete the Pre-Qualification Form at ceip.abmunis.ca to confirm you and your property meet the basic program eligibility criteria.
- EnerGuide Home Evaluation – Once pre-qualified, schedule an EnerGuide Home Evaluation to learn about your home’s energy performance and understand your best options for home improvements.
- Project Application – Select a Qualified Contractor at ceip.abmunis.ca/directory, plan your project, and submit your Project Application to Alberta Municipalities.
- Agreements – Once your proposed project is approved, you will enter into a Clean Energy Improvement Agreement and Project Agreement.
- Project Installation – After program agreements are signed, work with your Qualified Contractor to have your improvements completed.
- Upgrade Completion – Submit your Upgrade Completion Forms as your improvements are completed.
- Post-project EnerGuide Home Evaluation – After your project is fully completed, a post-project EnerGuide Home Evaluation will provide you a new EnerGuide rating and label based on your upgraded home performance.
- Repayment – You will repay the cost of the project through your property’s tax bill based on the terms of your Clean Energy Improvement Agreement.
What makes CEIP different from other financing options?
CEIP financing is attached to the property, not the property owner. When you decide to sell your property, you have the option to either repay the balance (without penalty) or disclose and transfer the balance to prospective buyers who will take on the repayment and enjoy the benefits of the improvements.
CEIP offers homeowners:
- Financing for up to 100% of project costs
- Competitive interest rates
- Long repayment terms (up to 20 years)
- The option to repay in full at any time without penalty
CEIP Energy Savers video series
Frequently asked questions
Why did The City pause intake of new pre-qualifications?
We have received an unexpected volume of applications for the first two days of the CEIP launch. The nearly 240 applicants in the queue have estimated their financing needs at over $7 million.
We are pausing intake of new CEIP pre-qualifications to ensure we can effectively process the large number of applications we have received so far, avoid long wait times and ultimately deliver a better experience for Calgarians who are using this program. Homeowners will need the support of Energy Advisors and CEIP Qualified Contractors as they prepare their Project Application. We want to ensure that the flow of pre-qualified participants does not exceed the capacity available in the market.
We will reopen for new pre-qualifications once the initial applications are processed.
Is CEIP a rebate program?
CEIP is not exclusively a rebate or incentive program. Homeowners participating in CEIP will receive financing for their approved clean energy improvements and will be required to pay the cost back plus interest through their property tax bill.
For a limited time, The City of Calgary is offering an incentive for completed CEIP projects. The incentive will be applied directly to the Clean Energy Improvement Tax reducing the project financing by up to 10%. Availability is limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Why is the program application form not on the City of Calgary website?
Alberta Municipalities is the designated program administrator for Clean Energy Improvement Programs across Alberta. The first point of contact for your application is Alberta Municipalities. More information on the program administrator can be found at ceip.abmunis.ca.
Can I complete a do-it-yourself (DIY) project?
No, all work must be completed by a CEIP Qualified Contractor. You can find the list of eligible CEIP Qualified Contractors at ceip.abmunis.ca/directory and filter for Calgary and the services you require for your project.
My name is not on the Certificate of Title for my property – can I still apply?
Applicants to CEIP must be listed as owners on the property’s Certificate of Title in order to be eligible. All property owners listed on the Certificate of Title must sign the Clean Energy Improvement Agreement.
Can I participate in CEIP and similar programs offered by other organizations (e.g., Canada Greener Homes Initiative)?
Residential property owners can participate in the Clean Energy Improvement Program and other programs like the federal government’s Canada Greener Homes Initiative. Property owners are encouraged to review the terms and conditions for all programs to ensure their project meets all eligibility criteria.
How much funding is available?
The City has up to $15 million in financing available for Calgary homeowners through CEIP.
What types of properties are eligible for CEIP financing?
The program is targeted to residential properties completing retrofits, new builds are ineligible at this time. Properties eligible for the program include single and semi-detached houses, row houses, townhomes, and some units in multi-unit residential buildings. The eligibility criteria are listed in the CEIP Terms and Conditions found at ceip.abmunis.ca/calgary.
Why do I need to do an EnerGuide Home Evaluation?
An EnerGuide Home Evaluation can help you understand how your home uses energy now – and identify retrofits to help improve energy efficiency. This will give you an EnerGuide rating for your home and an energy efficiency report to help you make decisions about possible upgrades. Learn more about EnerGuide Home Evaluations by visiting Natural Resources Canada.
I had an EnerGuide Home Evaluation completed recently – do I need to do another one?
Version 15 EnerGuide Home Evaluations completed after April 1 2020, can be used for your CEIP application. Please review the CEIP Terms and Conditions found at ceip.abmunis.ca/calgary for more information.
How do I find my property description and roll number for my Pre-Qualification Application?
Review your most recent property assessment notice or property tax bill to identify your property description and roll number.
Will CEIP increase my property tax?
Only the property owners participating in the program would see an increase on their property tax bill. If you don’t participate in the program, it will not impact your property taxes.
What types of home upgrades are eligible for the program?
A number of energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades are eligible for the program. A list of upgrades and the applicable eligibility criteria can be found at ceip.abmunis.ca/residential/upgrades.
I am a contractor working in energy efficiency and renewable energy in Calgary – how can I participate?
Only CEIP Qualified Contractors are eligible to work on Clean Energy Improvement Program projects. Visit ceip.abmunis.ca/contractor now to learn more and apply to become a CEIP Qualified Contractor.
Can I start on my project now and access CEIP financing later?
No, an application will need to be submitted and approved, and a Clean Energy Improvement Agreement signed between the property owners and The City of Calgary prior to any work being started on the project.
Is CEIP different than PACE programs?
PACE stands for Property Assessed Clean Energy. It’s a financial instrument that allows property owners to finance energy efficiency or renewable energy upgrades through their municipal property taxes. CEIP stands for the Clean Energy Improvement Program and is Alberta’s version of PACE.
Although a similar financing mechanism to PACE, CEIP has its own unique guidelines and requirements that are specific to the Alberta context and designed to support the local economy while also protecting property owners.
What is the Clean Energy Improvement Bylaw?
In order to participate in the program, municipalities need to first pass a CEIP bylaw. That bylaw authorizes a municipality to borrow money for the purpose of financing clean energy improvements, and use the property tax system to facilitate repayment from property owners.
On December 6, 2021, Calgary’s Clean Energy Improvement Bylaw was passed by Calgary’s City Council. The Bylaw enables The City to offer CEIP in Calgary and provides guidelines for how the program should operate in Calgary.
Can I access CEIP for upgrades to commercial properties?
The City is launching CEIP first to residential properties and expansion of the program to a commercial offering is expected in the next few years.
Why is CEIP good for Calgary?
In Calgary, we track the amount of greenhouse gas emissions added to the atmosphere every year through activities that happen within our city boundaries. Buildings account for almost 65 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in Calgary. A significant portion of the buildings that will exist in Calgary in 2050 have already been built today, making it necessary to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements as we move to a low carbon future. CEIP is one of many tools that we need to support greenhouse gas reductions.
Programs like CEIP also support our local economy. The home improvement projects that qualify for CEIP will create work for local energy efficiency and renewable energy contractors.
This program is carried out with assistance from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund, an endowment created by the Government of Canada.
