Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP)
The Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) is an affordable, flexible, and streamlined approach to financing that helps you invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to your residential property.
Through CEIP, the City of Medicine Hat will be able to provide financing to applicants for eligible clean energy projects that is repayable through your property taxes.
Applications are now open! Visit myceip.ca/medicinehat.
Apply now at myceip.ca/medicinehat Read Medicine Hat's CEIP Terms and Conditions
CEIP process
Learn more at www.myceip.ca Read Medicine Hat's CEIP Terms and Conditions
How we determine equity
Equity and Loan to Value (LTV) is assessed across the lifecycle of a CEI Project.
To determine equity and LTV, the remaining mortgage and/or home equity line of credit are compared to the current assessed property value, the proposed project value, and any project changes that will incur a financial impact.
Starting LTV
To determine equity and LTV prior to including the value of a CEI Project loan, the threshold used is 75% or greater to quantify ‘limited equity’.
LTV with CEIP project
With the CEI Project loan included, the threshold is raised to 80% as the enhanced value off a CEI Project is variable and cannot be accurately predicted from an assessment perspective.
For example, if you change a window for a window, your assessed value does not increase but your utility costs will reduce thereby ‘enhancing’ your property value.
Frequently asked questions
| What is the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP)? |
| The Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) is an affordable, flexible, and streamlined approach to financing that helps you invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to your property.
Through CEIP, the City of Medicine Hat will be able to provide financing to applicants for eligible clean energy projects that is repayable through your property taxes. The program is administered provincially through Alberta Municipalities. Learn more at ceip.abmunis.ca. |
| What is the interest rate for CEIP financing? |
| The City of Medicine Hat is offering CEIP financing at an interest rate of 3.25%. |
| Is CEIP a rebate program? |
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No, at its core, CEIP is not a rebate or incentive. It is a loan from the City of Medicine Hat for approved clean energy improvements. The cost, plus interest, is repaid through your property tax bill. However, Medicine Hat is offering a rebate of 6.6% of project costs for completed CEIP projects. Plus, an additional SmartFit incentive of up to 3.6% of financed project costs is offered on residential properties built before 1990). |
| What makes CEIP different than 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. |
| What types of home upgrades will be eligible for the program? |
| A list of upgrades and the applicable eligibility criteria can be found at ceip.abmunis.ca/residential/upgrades. |
| Why should I make clean energy renovations to my property? |
| Investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades can lower your utility bill, make your property more comfortable and enhance your property value. |
| When can I apply? |
|
Now! Medicine Hat’s Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) launched June 18, 2024. Go to myceip.ca/medicinehat to apply. |
| Can I start on my project now and access CEIP financing later? |
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No, an application will need to be submitted and approved by Alberta Municipalities and a financing agreement signed between the property owner(s) and the City of Medicine Hat prior to any work on the project. |
| 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. |
| Is CEIP different than PACE? |
|
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. |
| Is CEIP replacing HAT Smart? |
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No. HAT Smart and CEIP pair well together. HAT Smart incentivizes property owners to undertake energy efficient projects through rebates, while CEIP is a financing tool that helps lower the burden of the upfront cost. |
| 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 Grant and Medicine Hat’s HAT Smart program. Property owners are encouraged to review the terms and conditions for all programs to ensure their project meets all eligibility criteria. |
History of the project
| Project Timeline |
| Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) |
| Bylaw approval |
| On April 17, 2023, City Council passed the Clean Energy Improvement Tax Bylaw #4708 to authorize a Clean Energy Improvement Program in Medicine Hat. |
| Detailed program design |
| In collaboration with Alberta Municipalities, we will engineer a program that meets the needs of our local residents and environment. |
| Program launch and applications accepted |
| The program launched on June 18, 2024, supporting residential property, including detached and semi-detached homes, town houses, and low-rise apartment buildings. |