RetrofitWR: Waterloo Region's Loan Repaid on Your Electricity Bill — And Why That Matters When You Move

RetrofitWR is a $7.9 million home-energy retrofit financing program running from 2026 to 2030, delivered by the Region of Waterloo together with GrandBridge Energy and Reep Green Solutions. It differs structurally from the tax-bill programs elsewhere in Ontario, and one of those differences is important enough to decide whether the program suits you. These are the published terms as of July 2026; terms and cap amounts change as regional funding is committed, so confirm them on the official program website before applying.

The maximum loan is $40,000 at 2.5% fixed. A heat pump incentive of up to $2,500 is available, and income-eligible households can receive an additional $1,000 to $3,000. Repayment runs through your monthly GrandBridge Energy bill as automatic pre-authorized instalments over a 10- or 15-year term.

Since the heat pump incentive and much of your savings depend on getting the sizing right, it is worth a second opinion before you commit — Solify offers a free savings report that estimates the numbers for your specific home so you can compare them against your Energy Coach's plan.

Getting started means contacting an Energy Coach. From there you confirm eligibility — GrandBridge customer status, property type and credit standing — complete a pre-retrofit home energy assessment and project plan, and sign a loan agreement with the Region of Waterloo. Upgrades are completed with qualified contractors within up to 12 months, a post-retrofit home assessment follows, and repayment begins through the GrandBridge Energy bill.

You must be a GrandBridge Energy customer in Waterloo Region, up to date on energy bills, and have a good credit score. The home must be a full-time primary residence, occupied by owner or tenant, in a single-detached, townhome, duplex or row housing form up to three storeys. Landlords may qualify under certain conditions. The project must achieve at least a 25% reduction in energy use, with 70% of costs on energy efficiency and 30% flexible. Worth knowing: all Waterloo Region homeowners qualify for free energy coaching even if they never take a loan.

Eligible upgrades are broad. They include attic, wall and basement insulation, air sealing, weather stripping and air barriers; windows, exterior doors and skylights; electric and heat pump water heaters, solar hot water and drain water heat recovery; connected thermostats, HRV/ERV, and air and ground source heat pumps; solar PV and battery storage; permanently affixed lighting and controls; ENERGY STAR appliances including fridges, freezers, washers and dryers, dishwashers and induction cooktops; and mould or asbestos remediation, electrical and panel upgrades, plus EnerGuide and permit costs.

The GrandBridge requirement exists because repayment runs through the GrandBridge Energy bill under a Region-GrandBridge agreement; the program is not yet available with other local utilities. A $450 administration fee is waived for a limited time for early adopters, and permanently waived for income-eligible households. Early repayment in full is allowed at any time with no penalty, but partial lump-sum repayments are not permitted.

The key difference from the four tax-based programs: if you move, the RetrofitWR loan must be repaid in full before you close your GrandBridge Energy account. It does not transfer to a new owner. If you expect to sell within the term, plan around that from the outset rather than discovering it at closing.

The program lists info@retrofitwr.ca, 519-744-9799 and retrofitwr.ca as contacts. This is an independent summary rather than an official program page — check the official site for the current terms.