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Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP)

The Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP), administered by Alberta Municipalities, makes energy efficiency upgrades more accessible for homeowners - so you can save on energy bills and enjoy a more comfortable, efficient home for you and your family.

CEIP offers flexible financing to help cover the upfront costs of energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades, allowing homeowners to make improvements without the big upfront investment.

Timeline

August 2022: Clean Energy Improvement Program Bylaw approved
Fall 2022: Finalize program design
February 28, 2023: Program launch
March 1, 2023: Program full
October 17, 2023: Program re-opened for pre-qualification submissions.

Key Features

2.83% Fixed Interest Rate
$1,350 Rebate available for a limited time.

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CEIP FAQs

How to Start

CEIP financing is accessible to residential property owners. Visit Clean Energy Improvement Program (abmunis.ca) to review the terms and conditions for eligibility. The next step is to complete the pre-qualification form at Residential Pre-Qualification – Clean Energy Improvement Program (abmunis.ca) and submit.

For additional information, visit City of Lethbridge – Clean Energy Improvement Program (abmunis.ca)

Participants must be the legal owner of an existing low-rise residential property located in our municipality and meet all requirements listed in the Terms & Conditions.

How does CEIP work?

Completing a clean energy improvement through CEIP follows these eight steps:

Step 1: Pre-Qualification

Read the CEIP Terms & Conditions. Complete the Pre-Qualification Form at myceip.ca. This confirms that you and your property meet the basic program qualification criteria.

Step 2: EnerGuide Home evaluation

Once pre-qualified, schedule an EnerGuide home evaluation to learn about your home's energy performance. This will help you understand your priority options for home improvements.

Step 3: Project application

Choose a qualified contractor at myceip.ca/directory and plan your project. Then, submit your Project Application to Alberta Municipalities.

Step 4: Agreements

Once approved, you'll enter into a Clean Energy Improvement Agreement and Project Agreement.

Step 5: Project installation

After signing agreements, work with you contractor to complete the improvements.

Step 6: Upgrade completion

Submit your upgrade completion forms as your improvements are completed.

Step 7: Post-project EnerGuide home evaluation

After your project is complete, a post-project EnerGuide evaluation will provide a new rating and label based on your home's upgrades.

Step 8: Repayment

You'll repay the project cost through your property tax bill as per your Clean Energy Improvement Agreement.

To apply, visit https://ceip.abmunis.ca/residential/locations/city-of-lethbridge/

Are Permits Required?

Yes, many upgrades require city permits. No funds will be advanced unless proper permits are obtained.

Will CEIP Increase My Property Tax?

Participants in the program will see an increase on their property tax bill to reflect repayment of the CEIP loan. CEIP loans will appear as a separate line item on the property tax bill. Only property owners who are enrolled in the program will see this additional line item.

Will TIPP Automatically Adjust for CEIP Loans?

If you’re enrolled in TIPP (Tax Installment Pre-payment Plan), it will automatically adjust to cover your CEIP loan repayment. Look on your next Tax Notice for the updated amount.

Why is CEIP Good for Lethbridge?

CEIP improvements reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy costs, and support the local economy by creating job opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy contractors.

What Types of Home Upgrades are Eligible?

Energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades qualify for CEIP. Check the list of eligible upgrades at ceip.abmunis.ca/residential/upgrades.

Contractor Participation in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Contractors are invited to visit ceip.abmunis.ca/contractor to learn more about the program and apply to be added to the Contractor Directory.

Many of the upgrades require permits from the City. No funds will be advanced unless proper permits are in place.

Can I Start My Project Now and Access CEIP Funding Later?

No, projects initiated before the program launch are ineligible for financing. Applications must be obtained and approved before project commencement.

What Makes CEIP Different from Other Financing Options?

Financing

CEIP provides financing for up to 100% of the project costs, while providing competitive interest rates. For our municipality, the fixed interest rate is 2.83%

Payment terms

The program offers flexible repayment terms of up to 25 years, with the option to repay in full anytime - penalty free. Repayments are made through your property tax bill, and the financing remains tied to the property (i.e., if you decide to sell your property, you can pay off the balance without penalty or leave the remaining balance with the property tax bill).

Rebates

A $1,350.00 rebate is available for completed CEIP projects. The rebate is applied directly to your Clean Energy Improvement Tax, reducing your total financing amount. One rebate is available per project.

Before you apply: your preparation checklist

To avoid any interruptions or delays, kindly take a moment to review all details and requirements.

Inform all property owners of your intention to apply for CEIP financing.

All property owners will need to sign the Project Application Form and Program agreements. Aditionally, one property owner needs to sign the Pre-Qualification Form and Upgrade Completion Forms. Ensure you read the Terms & Conditions before applying.

Check that your property is eligible for CEIP financing.

Residential properties must, at minimum, be existing buildings that are either a:

single or semi-detached house;
row house;
town home; or
the residential portion of a mixed-use building or a multi unit residential building. This may apply to buildings under three storeys with a footprint of 600 square meters (6,458 square feet) or less.

Check that you meet the minimum financial requirements & property tax requirements:

Your property tax is not in arrears, now or at any time in the last five years.
You do not have late tax payments on your home, or other homes you have owned, at any time in the past five years.
You are in good standing with all other accounts with your municipality (e.g., utilities, permits, bylways etc.)
Your home is not in foreclosure.
You are not in bankruptcy or receivership.
You are current on all property-secured debt payments (e.g., mortgage, home equity line of credit).

Check your mortgage agreement, insurance policies, and building policies, and have copies of each ready.

Check with your mortgage lender as some mortgage agreements may require your lender's consent before you apply for CEIP financing.
Your home insurance policy may cover the property's full value and must cover at least $1 million in personal liability insurance.
If your property is within a building that includes shared facilities or common property (e.g., condo, row house, town house) and your project will impact shared facilities / property include an approval letter from your condo board or building owner with your application.

Review the Pre-Qualification Form for the information you must include in your application.

We will need your property description & roll number. These are on your most recent property tax or assessment notice.

CEIP 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 August 10, 2022, Lethbridge's Clean Energy Improvement Bylaw was passed by Lethbridge's City Council. The bylaw enables the city to offer CEIP in Lethbridge.

To learn more about the CEIP program, watch the video and download the brochure.

CEIP Brochure For Property Owners