CEIP in Alberta: paying for home upgrades through your property tax

CEIP lends money for eligible home upgrades. You repay through your property tax bill, with interest. Only municipalities that join offer it. Checked on 21 October 2026: Calgary’s residential intake is closed until winter 2026/2027 (read 21 October 2026) [source]. Edmonton’s residential program is nearing capacity; pre-qualification submissions go on a waitlist and are processed first come, first served as space is confirmed (read 21 October 2026) [source].

It can spread the upfront cost of solar, a heat pump or insulation across tax payments. It is borrowing, so weigh the full repayment cost alongside any energy savings.

How does CEIP work?

Under CEIP, financing is attached to your property tax bill and repaid to your municipality (read 21 October 2026) [source]. Before applying, check that you and the property qualify. The administrator says if you have a mortgage, you must get consent from your mortgage provider to participate (read 21 October 2026) [source].

Calgary lists this sequence. Check your own municipality’s terms before proceeding:

1. Pre-qualification. Read the terms and submit the pre-qualification form. Confirm intake is open before planning a start date.
2. EnerGuide home evaluation. Once pre-qualified, arrange an evaluation to understand the home’s energy performance.
3. Project application. Choose a CEIP qualified contractor, plan the work and submit the project application to Alberta Municipalities.
4. Agreements. Wait for approval, then sign the Clean Energy Improvement Agreement and Project Agreement.
5. Installation. Have the qualified contractor complete the approved work after agreements are signed. Projects started before approval are not eligible.
6. Upgrade completion. Submit the completion forms as the work is finished.
7. Post-project EnerGuide evaluation. Arrange the final evaluation for the updated rating and label.
8. Repayment. Repay through the property tax bill under your agreement.

Eligible examples include high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, windows, insulation, water heaters and solar photovoltaic systems (read 21 October 2026) [source]. Rules differ locally. In Edmonton, a high-efficiency gas furnace is not eligible on its own unless combined with a heat pump (read 21 October 2026) [source].

Is it offered where I live?

CEIP is voluntary for municipalities; a municipality must pass a CEIP bylaw and arrange program delivery (read 21 October 2026) [source]. The table follows the administrator’s residential locations page, checked on 21 October 2026, rather than the older count on its home page. Being listed does not mean intake is open.

Use the administrator’s residential locations page to reach each local program. If your municipality is absent, ask it whether a program is planned.

Is it open now in Calgary and Edmonton?

On 21 October 2026, Calgary residential CEIP was closed until winter 2026/2027 (read 21 October 2026) [source]. The city has not given an exact reopening date on the checked page.

On the same date, Edmonton was nearing capacity; pre-qualification submissions go on a waitlist and are processed first come, first served as space is confirmed (read 21 October 2026) [source]. A waitlist submission is not an approved project or a promise of funding. Recheck the city pages linked in the sources before applying.

What does it cost?

The administrator states: “CEIP offers competitive financing, but it is not interest-free (read 21 October 2026) [source].” Each municipality sets its own terms. Across participating programs, terms can be up to 25 years, depending on the project and municipality (read 21 October 2026) [source].

For residential financing, the administrator describes a $50,000 residential project limit under the regulation; municipal limits and the existing annual municipal property tax amount can further limit financing (read 21 October 2026) [source]. This limit is reported by the administrator’s FAQ, rather than independently checked against the regulation.

Calgary offers up to 100% of project costs, to a maximum of $50,000 (read 21 October 2026) [source]. Its published rate is an estimated range of 6.00% to 6.10%; the rate is fixed when the agreement is signed and could be higher or lower (read 21 October 2026) [source]. Repayment is up to 20 years, based on the lifespan of the upgrades (read 21 October 2026) [source].

Edmonton finances a minimum of $3,000 and up to $50,000 (read 21 October 2026) [source]. Its current tranche rate is 6.00% (read 21 October 2026) [source]. Its maximum term is the lesser of 20 years or the effective useful life of the eligible upgrades (read 21 October 2026) [source]. Both cities’ rates were checked on 21 October 2026.

Ask for the full repayment schedule. Compare total interest, any administration fees, evaluation costs, installation costs and expected maintenance. Check which costs can be financed and which you must pay upfront. A longer term can spread payments while adding interest.

What happens if I sell my home?

The financing stays with the property. The administrator says the new owner can assume repayment, or the seller may pay off the balance without penalty depending on the conditions of sale (read 21 October 2026) [source]. It also says the agreement must be disclosed to prospective buyers and any realtor, and appended to the contract of sale (read 21 October 2026) [source].

Discuss the remaining balance before signing a sale contract. Confirm whether the buyer will assume payments or the balance will be paid at closing. Keep the agreement and current balance available for that discussion.

Is CEIP a rebate?

No. CEIP is a loan repaid through property tax. A rebate reduces an eligible cost under a separate program’s rules. The administrator allows combining CEIP with incentives when you meet both sets of conditions. Check availability and eligibility before counting a rebate in your budget.

Will it lower my bill?

CEIP finances the upgrade. You repay the loan through property tax, with interest. Consider those payments when weighing the cost of an upgrade.

Read our solar micro-generation guide for more on solar credits. Compare project costs and savings in our solar economics guide.

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