Kingston Home Energy Retrofit Program

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Consultation has concluded


Review the reporting back for the Residential Energy Retrofit Survey.

The energy we consume to heat, cool and power our homes represents about 14 per cent of Kingston’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and cost nearly $100 million, according to the 2018 Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory. GHG emissions, such as carbon dioxide and methane, are contributing to the current climate change crisis.

City Council has directed staff to develop a Home Energy Retrofit Program for residents, as part of its commitment to demonstrating leadership on climate action. This program is being developed to help residents reduce GHG emissions associated with household energy use and could also lead to savings on home energy costs.

The final program details will be brought to City Council later in Summer 2021. Subject to a successful funding application for federal financing and grants, the program will launch in Fall 2021.

The Kingston Home Energy Retrofit program aims to help reduce GHG emissions and energy use by an average of 30 per cent  per home, as well as decrease energy costs by 15 - 40 per cent for over 6,000 homes in the Kingston area. This would result in over 18,000 tonnes of emission reductions annually while saving a total $6 million in energy costs each year within the community. In the first four years of the program (2021-2024) an estimated 200-375 jobs could be created with the increased demand for home energy assessments as well as retrofit products and services (e.g. installation).


Review the reporting back for the Residential Energy Retrofit Survey.

The energy we consume to heat, cool and power our homes represents about 14 per cent of Kingston’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and cost nearly $100 million, according to the 2018 Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory. GHG emissions, such as carbon dioxide and methane, are contributing to the current climate change crisis.

City Council has directed staff to develop a Home Energy Retrofit Program for residents, as part of its commitment to demonstrating leadership on climate action. This program is being developed to help residents reduce GHG emissions associated with household energy use and could also lead to savings on home energy costs.

The final program details will be brought to City Council later in Summer 2021. Subject to a successful funding application for federal financing and grants, the program will launch in Fall 2021.

The Kingston Home Energy Retrofit program aims to help reduce GHG emissions and energy use by an average of 30 per cent  per home, as well as decrease energy costs by 15 - 40 per cent for over 6,000 homes in the Kingston area. This would result in over 18,000 tonnes of emission reductions annually while saving a total $6 million in energy costs each year within the community. In the first four years of the program (2021-2024) an estimated 200-375 jobs could be created with the increased demand for home energy assessments as well as retrofit products and services (e.g. installation).

Consultation has concluded
  • Program development - what does it entail?

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    Development of the Home Energy Retrofit Program has involved much research and community consultation with key stakeholder. To date, this consultation process has included:

    • A public survey of Kingston residents on their current energy use, interest in reducing their energy and emissions as well as barriers to making these improvements;
    • Ongoing discussions with natural gas and utility providers serving the Kingston area regarding their experience in past energy conservation programs and interest in partnering on implementing the Kingston Home Energy Retrofit Program;
    • Consultations with non-profit organizations and training institutions for their potential involvement in program implementation;
    • Engagement of trades contractors and home energy advisors who conduct business in the Kingston area for their practical perspective on conducting thousands of energy audits and retrofits over the next few years; and,
    • Research on similar programs in other communities to identify lessons learned including discussions with personnel involved in the implementation.

    Research was undertaken on local energy consumption, past home energy audits that have been completed in Kingston and the specific types of homes where the reduction in emissions, energy use and utility costs could be achieved. Review the full draft program study.

    The final program details will be presented to City Council later in late summer before launching in fall 2021, subject to a successful funding application for federal financing and grants.