Manitoba Hydro’s Home Energy Efficiency Loan
What is the Home Energy Efficiency Loan?
The Home Energy Efficiency Loan from Manitoba Hydro is a program designed to help homeowners in Manitoba upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes. It does this through offering reasonable financing terms on approved equipment and labour. Homeowners can use this program to help out in an emergency or to proactively replace old equipment.
As plumbing and heating experts we are very familiar with emergency situations when it comes to home heating and hot water. Homeowners call us when they have an emergency; like they have no heat and it’s -40 outside. In these situations we need to spring into action to make sure that their property is protected. Sometimes a broken furnace or hot water tank can be a simple fix but all too often we have to deliver the bad news that their equipment is broken and that it will need to be replaced.
For many people this unexpected expense can be difficult to pay as a lump sum. Even if you have the money to buy a new furnace you may have been saving that money for something else. In this situation Manitoba Hydro has your back! They can provide a loan with reasonable financing terms paid monthly on your power bill. There is no down payment required and the loan is financed through the participating contractor or retailer.
In this blog we will look at what equipment you can replace using this program, how to determine if you are eligible and how to find a participating contractor or retailer in Manitoba.
Do I qualify for the Home Energy Efficiency Loan?
Homeowners must meet certain criteria in order to participate in the Home Energy Efficiency Loan.
You must own the home in which the improvements are to be made. You cannot be a tenant or renting the home
You must have an active account in good standing with Manitoba Hydro
You must be approved on credit to participate in the program
The building must be your primary residence or if you are a landlord you can participate if the building is the primary residence of your tenant.
The home must be a detached or semi-detached home.
You must make all the improvements that have been approved by Manitoba Hydro.
To see all of the eligibility requirements visit Manitoba Hydro’s eligibility page. Once these criteria are met homeowners that have their project approved through Manitoba Hydro are eligible to participate in the Home Energy Efficiency Loan.
What plumbing and heating equipment can I replace?
Homeowners can replace a variety of equipment using the home energy efficiency loan. To qualify, energy efficiency upgrades must be made to levels specified by Manitoba Hydro. Manitoba Hydro has created these levels in partnership with Efficiency Manitoba. This is to ensure that all equipment installed using this program works to increase efficiency and reduce pressure on our electrical grid and natural gas delivery systems.
Equipment that can be replaced using the Home Energy Efficiency Loan includes:
Heat Pumps, ground sourced, conventional air sourced and cold climate air sourced heat pumps are included in the program.
Boilers, natural gas boilers used for home heating are included in the program.
Water heating equipment, both electric as well as natural gas hot water tanks are included as are tankless water heaters.
Furnaces, both electric and natural gas furnaces are included in the program.
Space heating equipment, for those not able to use a central air system, space heating equipment is also included in the program.
To be certain if a piece of equipment qualifies under the program the simplest solution is to contact a participating contractor or retailer. At Next-Gen Plumbing and Heating we are experts in this program and we can help you to select equipment that not only qualifies but that will run more efficiently improving the value and comfort of your home while reducing your energy bills.
Loan and Financing Details
The Home Energy Efficiency Loan Program offers loans on qualifying equipment or technologies and the labour to install that equipment. Approved loan amounts vary depending on the type of equipment. For example the approved loan amount for a conventional air source heat pump is $5000 while the maximum approved amount on a cold climate air source heat pump is $10,000. This reflects the difference in the purchase cost of the equipment. (Numbers current to March 2025)
Loan repayment terms are flexible and vary from a maximum of 5 years to 15 years depending on the equipment chosen and the amount of the original loan. There is no minimum loan repayment term. Additional payments up to the maximum amount may be made at any time. If the loan is paid off within the first 6 months an administration fee of $20 will be applied to the account.
The loan is non-transferrable and becomes due once the house is sold. This program can be beneficial for both homeowners looking to keep their homes as well as for those looking to make upgrades before selling their homes.
If energy upgrades are made to a rental property you own it is the responsibility of the landlord not the tenant to ensure payments are made. Landlords should be familiar with the requirements of the program and not count on their tenants to make the necessary payments.
You can see all the terms of the loans and calculate your monthly payments on Manitoba Hydro’s website.
Participating Contractors or Retailers
It is important to find a participating contractor or retailer before you start the work. Manitoba Hydro cannot approve projects once the work has been started. Manitoba Hydro specifies that the work must be completed by an allied gas fitter or electrician licensed by the province of Manitoba. So make sure that you choose a reputable contractor that can provide proof of their qualifications before you approve any work being done in your home.
At Next-Gen Plumbing and Heating our office staff are available to walk you through the process of applying for the Home Energy Efficiency Loan. We complete applications every week for homeowners just like you. You don’t need to stress about determining eligibility or picking out equipment; we can guide you through all of that.
On the financial side the program is structured to incentivize participating contractors to help you and make sure that your project is approved. Once your project is approved the contractor is able to directly bill Manitoba Hydro for the equipment and labour. There is no upfront cost to you, the homeowner. The cost comes through as a payment on your monthly power bill. The amount will depend on the financing term that is chosen. This system ensures that there is no financial risk to either the contractor or the homeowner.
How do I participate?
To participate simply contact Next-Gen Plumbing and Heating. Our office staff are standing by to help homeowners like you to upgrade your old equipment. You don’t have to wait until you have an emergency in order to participate. We can help you to upgrade your plumbing and heating equipment today.
At Next-Gen Plumbing and Heating we have helped many homeowners to get rid of old inefficient equipment and to start seeing the benefits of new more energy efficient equipment. Not only will you be helping to contribute to the sustainability of our electrical and natural gas grids in Manitoba but these improvements can save you money in the long term. Things like heat pumps, tankless water heaters and high efficiency gas furnaces will pay for themselves over time. Contact us today and see how you can start saving money on your monthly energy bill by upgrading to new equipment today. You will be glad you did.