Heat Pump Survey Results
Heat pumps are a great way for homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint. The BRAG group believes that climate change is real and that we all need to do what we can to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. We also believe that people need lower increases in taxation to be able to afford the large expenses associated with EVs and heat pumps.
With a federal program in place to provide interest-free loans for heat pumps, why does Burlington need a similar program? Redundant programs, from multiple levels of government, with the associated employee costs do not reduce greenhouse gas emissions, they just increase taxation.
The federal government program is called the “Canada Greener Homes Loan and the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability ”. This program offers interest-free loans for heat pumps.
Burlington’s “summary budget” was released in September 2025 with this cost line on page 13. The Better Homes Burlington Loan program offers interest-free loans for heat pumps.
Numbers are in $1,000 of dollars so the summary budget called for $50,000 for the Better Homes Program.
In terms of the city’s overall budget, $50,000 is a very small amount of money. Not included in the $50,000 is the cost of the concierge, a person working for the city, who helps homeowners through the program, sets up the loan, registers the loan against the property, etc. The average cost of a city employee, before benefits, from the 2025 detailed budget is just over $100,000 a year. Even if the heat pump program only requires a half-time person the cost is still likely to be over $50,000 for salary and benefits.
The Bay Area Climate Council submitted a letter to our council for the November 4th budget meeting, noting that the Better Homes Burlington program had been removed from the budget.
“We were thrilled to see funding allocated to the Program Expansion in the September 19th draft 2025 budget, and we are concerned to see that the funding has been excluded from the October 25th proposed budget. “[i]
It will be interesting to see how our council reacts to this letter. Burlington contributes $56,000 a year to support the Bay Area Climate Council.[ii]
Take a minute to watch this short video from the Bay Area Climate Council meeting held in May of 2024.
Why Burlington gives $56,000 a year to the Bay Area Climate Council when the group appears to be aligned with alinea, one of the largest developers in the area, is a question for another day. Again, we all know climate change is real, cities need to stop spending money on groups to tell us about climate change and, instead, spend that money on reducing their carbon emissions.
Here are the results of the online survey conducted by BRAG.
109 people participated in the survey
The City of Burlington is offering homeowners interest-free loans to install heat pumps. At the end of 2023, Burlington had $114,403,000 in long-term debt, so the city will have to borrow the money for these loans. In addition to the cost of borrowing the money, the heat pump program has a staff member, something like a concierge, to help guide homeowners through the process. This program overlaps with a federal program, the “Canada Greener Homes Grant”.
Many people commented:
Please stop taking my money to fund ridiculous projects. I cannot afford it.
People should recognize all the benefits of heat pumps including the operating economics. People should buy and use without any assist from government (s). The City cannot afford to give money away anymore otherwise in the long run taxpayers will continue to pay towards the debt.
We can’t afford the infrastructure and overpayment of staffing now. Without a doubt this will increase taxes, regardless of how the city spins it.
Why are Burlington taxpayers paying for the few elite to have the interest free loans. We would like our taxes to be lower to survive in Burlington
no way my taxes for other people loans
Lower taxes is what the City needs to focus on right now
Stop wasting tax payers money!
Questionable return on investment – whether taxpayer or city.
This is neither the tax payer or the cities business to provide loans for homeowners needs , that is why we have banks. Heat pumps are very expensive and still require a furnace. We had to replace complete HVAC system this summer. We paid for our own needs and would never expect money from anyone. HVAC companies do offer financing options if homeowners require to ease the burden Fed up with this Mayor and council absolutely wasting money in every direction
The City should not be in this business. Need a loan? Go to a financial institution. Let’s save this money (and lots more please) so we can get that tax hike down. How about no overseas Council trips for a while? How about not investing in the outdoor space at City Hall? Don’t tell me the money was a gift from the Province – there is always a cost to managing these projects. We understand inflationary increases to maintain critical infrastructure and services but Council is out of control!
We have to put a stop to these well intentioned but unnecessary and expensive ideas.
Banks are for lending. The city is not a bank!
Need much more information and details to form an opinion
I question if this incentive will actually work. Many residents are struggling to keep up with the increased cost of food, rent, and housing, purchasing a heat pump is not on their radar.. So, my question is who will be able to take advantage of this – those residents who could afford to install heat pumps and don’t really need an interest-free loan?
We must stop using “ Fossil Gas” to heat our homes.
We should not be paying for tax free loans for heart pumps!
Heat pumps,? What about our homeless people sleeping out in the cold ? Bet they wish they had a room and a bed with any heat, nevermind a bloody heat pump .
Since the federal government offers financial assistance for home owners to have a heat pump installed in their home, I feel that the City of Burlington should not be offering financial assistance. The City’s money could be put to better use; for example, paying down the debt. Just my 2 cent’s worth.
This is a make work project so taxpayers can pay for more useless city employee wages.
there are other levels of government (federal and provincial) which can take on this challenge and the associated overhead costs. The private sector (banks, energy companies ,equipment manufacturers etc) can/should be filling this role. Why are we looking for a place to waste my tax dollars.
I wouldn’t trust the city’s ability to manage a program like this. Don’t trust the federal gov. In their motives to push for the heat pumps. I’ve read many comments that they don’t work in extreme cold.
Thanks for doing this survey. Next survey should be done on traffic rule enforcement.
Absolutely no interest free loans while we are in debt as a city with huge property tax increases for those of us who having a hard time making ends meet…..
If the city finances were in better shape, I would support this program from an environmental standpoint. As it is, limiting or eradicating property tax increases is more important so people can put food on their tables and cover other basic necessities.
I have a ground source heat pump and did take advantage of actual grants that were available from both federal and Ontario governments. I don’t think this is something a city that has a budget that is ballooning out of control should be using our taxes for. And a councillor getting the benefit of a limited program like this fits with the inappropriateness of a mayor taking advantage of a similarly limited program for her heritage property……
Stop the increase in Burlington taxes. Majority of tax payers are struggling at this time with no end in sight. Our city government is fiscally irresponsible and the unecessary spending needs to STOP.
People who can afford heat pumps can afford to pay for them themselves. That’s federal or provincial area of concern. Municipal governments should not be in the business of green rebates or programs.
As a senior with a continually dwindling bank account, budget restraint is paramount! I’d rather give $ to those who are desperately in need, rather than turn over more tax dollars to be misspent by our Burlington Mayor. This ‘loan’ venture is a waste of our $ and staff time! A hard NO.
We should cease all non essential funding. We need to get tax glut spending under control.
The city should be prevented(made illegal) from giving incentives or grants of any kind if the money has to be borrowed.
Burlington hone-owners are completely fed up with this mayor and council. Time for change!
Burlington Council needs to stop bleeding money and start lowering taxes and being fiscally responsible!!
BRAG seems to be an anti-future organization. Save old peoples money at the expense of all generations to come. The amount of money this will cost is minuscule – literally a cup of coffee a year. This is just a very tiny component by of hitting net-zero by 2050 and we need to do a lot more things that will cost a lot more money to ultimately achieve that target. If BRAG wants to ditch the net zero by 2050 target then come out and say so.
I am deeply concerned about the environment but I think this may be beyond their mandate. I’m sick of tax increases. My salary has not kept pace. The City seems to think we are a bottom-less pit of revenue.
Federal government already provides a subsidy.
There is no such thing as “free”. Free = more taxes to pay for this
In my opinion, this loan should be for everyone who is eligible and not just for 20 homes. So, no it’s unfair and unnecessary.
BRAG is a great initiative but when only 27.6% of eligible voters cast a ballot, the message might be falling on deaf ears. Cost reduction for residents should always be “the” priority for government and leaders should always be searching for opportunities to streamline city expenditures without compromising the quality of public services. For instance, reviewing administrative costs, cutting non-essential programs, or exploring more efficient ways to deliver public services could help reduce the tax burden. Why is there never a tax reduction ??? But if there’s no way to engage the constituents, it’s difficult to hold leaders accountable.
Surely there are better things to spend “us taxpayers money” on that would benefit MORE of the Burlington Community !
There are people with dire needs that we can help instead of homeowners. As a homeowner the city and therefore resident taxpayers should not be providing loans to anyone, including me
We all need to step up when it comes to helping reduce the impact of climate change. Heat pumps help eliminate emissions from fossil fuels
There is no need to have a special person to guide through the process of a loan .. We can read and maneuver on our own …we r not children Why have a loan by the city if the city a) already is in debt b) there is a federal program in place …. Wonder what we the taxpayers pay to service the loan
No, this is absurd and needs to stop immediately.
This is ridiculous
The province provides a similar program So the City does not need to offer this.
It is fantastic that a Burlington Residents Action group had been formed. Residents need to put this Mayor and Council on notice!! Thank you!!!!
Nothing is free. Most do not understand cost benift and breakeven through to payback. Windows and insulation scams are another example.
Already programs out for this. No more needed
The city is not a lending institution !
I see this a climate change initiative. Every level of government should do what it can to keep carbon out of the air by reducing reliance of the burning of fossil fuel.
Nothing is free. Why should my ridiculously high property taxes be used to give out interest free loans? I’d rather keep my money in my pocket. Heat pumps are notoriously unreliable and a poor choice for Canadian climates. Leave well enough alone!!!!
[i] https://burlingtonpublishing.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=82489
[ii] https://burlingtonpublishing.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=77259