We are pleased to inform you that Switch Charlottetown is launching a new element to the program to help low-income homeowners! Please refer to the Low-Income Incentives section to learn more.

Welcome to the Switch Charlottetown Program!

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR, PHILIP BROWN

We have designed a program that will help you save on energy and help us meet our goals for a sustainable community future. Whether you are looking to get off oil with a heat pump, install solar panels or make other energy efficient renovations—our new Switch Charlottetown Program can help you every step of the way.

Connect with a Program Advisor to learn more!

Talk with Us

Update On Home Energy Assessments

The City of Charlottetown has received funding from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to offer homeowners PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) loans for home energy upgrades. This funding is currently offered through the Switch Charlottetown program at 0% interest.

Why should you participate in the Switch Charlottetown Program?

We make it simple…

Easy access to technical advice
No money down
0% Financing (currently)
Savings that will exceed payments
Help to access and benefit from all eligible provincial and federal rebates
Improve the value and comfort of your home
A one-time administration fee of 5% of the total upgrade cost is added to the overall project costs to cover:
- the assignment of an energy concierge to each project to oversee the entire process
- checking the property tax status with the Municipality
- arranging for a free home energy assessment (pre and post project)
- helping homeowners navigate through the rebate process, both federally and provincially
- helping support industry engagement particularly in your geographic region
- providing homeowners with approved contractors to choose from
- drafting and executing legal agreements (including the participation agreement and certificates of completion)
- securely storing all documents and records related to the project
- ensuring contractors are paid promptly
- setting up and collecting monthly payments (PAP) from homeowners for the 10-15 year period of the life of the loan

How do I participate?

Contact us for advice
We can help you get quotes from local contractors and a Home Energy Assessment
When you are ready, sign our Participation Agreement (please email us to request a sample PA)
We authorize contractor to proceed
We pay contractor once you’re happy with the work
Start your payments and start saving

Frequently asked questions

Have a look at our Frequently Asked Questions.

Eligible Projects

The Switch Charlottetown Program will support almost any project that saves energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Here are some examples below:

AIR-SOURCE HEAT PUMPS

GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMPS

HEAT PUMP POOL HEATERS

HEAT PUMP DOMESTIC WATER HEATERS

SOLAR

INSULATION AND AIR SEALING

EXTERIOR WINDOWS

EXTERIOR DOORS

SMART THERMOSTATS

Financing

Have your project pay for itself through energy savings!

On average, installing a heat pump will save you $110 /month in energy and it will cost $82/month in financing.

On average, installing a solar system will save you $130 /month in energy and it will cost $110/month in financing.

Key Financing Terms

Financing through your property, not personal credit
0% interest rate!
15 year terms
Early, partial or full repayments accepted with no fees
Finance up to $40,000 or 15% of your property value (whichever is less)
Low monthly payments with typical savings that will exceed payments
Switch Charlottetown is operated on a user-pay model for the Municipality. This means programs are not being subsidized by non-participating taxpayers

Low Income Incentives

Eligibility

Net household income of $55,000 or less
Assessed taxable property value that cannot exceed $300,000
Submission of 2022 Notice of Assessment (NOA) that indicates your net household income

Administration Fee

Waiving of the 5% administration fee

Municipal Insulation Rebate

Up to $1500 rebate on insulation upgrades. (Stackable with efficiencyPEI’s rebates)
Rebate capped at 30% of total project value

Solar Layaway

Deferral of initial loan payments until May 1st 2024, if your system is energized within the eligibility period
Eligible projects must be completed between September 30th, 2023 and May 1st, 2024

Combine with other Incentives

You could be eligible for $10,000 or more in incentives from Efficiency PEI
Up to $5,000 in incentives through the new Federal Greener Homes Program!
We’ll ensure you take advantage of all existing incentives available!

The Fine Print

Call us if you would like to see a sample Participation Agreement 902-629-0355

Funding for this Switch program made possible by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and Efficiency PEI.

Call for Contractors!

Are you a local contractor/supplier and want to know more about the program and grow your business?

Express interest and get invited to our next industry engagement session or give us a call.

Talk to our team at 902-334-6031 or send an email to: contractors@switchpace.org