Visit Climate Friendly Homes in New Westminster.
See first-hand what your neighbours are doing to make their homes more comfortable and to save energy.
Homeowners in your community are generously opening their doors to show you their climate-friendly homes. It’s your chance to learn see the technologies and innovative designs that can make BC homes (renovated or new) much more comfortable and energy-efficient. You’ll be able to ask homeowners about the experience of building or renovating, and how it’s all working out for them.
The Climate Friendly Homes Tour
Saturday, April 26, 2025
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
* Some houses until noon (details below)
Sustainable Home Info Sessions
Special event for New Westminster
The City of New Westminster Climate Action Hub (NWCAH) is hosting select properties (addresses below) on the Tour that take a holistic approach to climate change and incorporate climate adaptation and biodiversity alongside emissions reductions achieved by retrofits, green infrastructure and passive cooling. At these properties, talks will be provided by local experts on topics ranging from how to stay safe in significant heat events, stormwater management, how to increase biodiversity and create bird and pollinator habitat, building electrification, and how the City of New Westminster can support retrofits. There will be something for everyone as information on all housing types will be provided.
The talk schedule can be found on Eventbrite. Registration is free, but it is required to visit these specific properties (registration is not required for other homes on the Climate Friendy Homes Tour). For people who want to bike between these sites, secure bike storage will be provided.
Locations
- 416 St. George Street | 10 a.m.–Noon
- 920 2nd Street | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
- 552 Amess St (home & laneway house) | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Climate Action in the City of New Westminster
How the tour works
1. Browse the map.
Click around on the map below for previews of participating homes. You can see some of the measures that make these homes more climate-friendly and start thinking about questions you’d like to ask the homeowners.
2. Plan your route.
Once you have found the places you would like to view, plan your route for the day. We recommend spending 20-30 minutes for each stop you’d like to make. Can you walk or bike to the tour stops? Neighbourhood parking may be limited so consider that if you’ll be driving. If using transit, we recommend using TransLink's Trip Planner.
3. Visit a climate-friendly home.
This is the exciting part! Bring all of your questions about the homeowner’s experience building or retrofitting. Ask how things are working for them and what they recommend. Local energy experts may even be in attendance at select locations so they can answer more technical questions.
4. Keep learning more.
After the tour, check out the resources at betterhomesbc.ca and figure out what you might do for your own home. There are thousands of dollars available in incentives for various upgrades, so now is the time to look deeper.
What Makes a Home Climate Friendly?
A Climate Friendly Home:
- Uses an electric heat pump for efficient heating in the winter and cooling in the summer
- Has an induction stove for fast, safe and cleaner cooking
- Has an efficient electric hot water tank or heat pump hot water heater
- Is well-insulated and draft-free for greater comfort and the lowest possible energy bills
- Has no appliances or systems that burn fossil fuels, such as natural gas, propane or oil
Getting started with your own home
Regardless of where you are in your home retrofit journey, there are plenty of free support programs and available incentives to help you take the next step to reduce emissions and increase energy efficiency.
- Head over to the Canada Greener Homes page to find out about Federal incentives and options.
- Check out Clean BC to see the Provincial incentives
- BC Hydro also has a range of rebates that you may be eligible for