Green Mortgages: Make your Business More Energy Efficient

Julie Starr • January 27, 2022



A green mortgage is a great way to make your business more energy efficient. By taking out a green mortgage, you can receive money to help pay for upgrades to your building to make it more environmentally friendly. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of a green mortgage and how you can apply for one. We will also talk about some of the best ways to use the money from your green mortgage to make your business more energy efficient.

What Is a Green Mortgage?

A green mortgage is a type of loan that helps businesses become more energy efficient. The loan can be used to pay for improvements such as new insulation, energy-efficient windows , or solar panels to name a few.

How Does a Green Mortgage Work?

The terms of a green mortgage vary depending on the lender. However, most loans have a lower interest rate, longer terms, and more flexible payment options than a traditional mortgage. In addition, your business must meet certain energy efficiency standards to be approved for a green mortgage. The HDMA has worked tirelessly to develop a green loan program that will work for businesses of all sizes. The green mortgage is perfect for business owners who want to make their company more energy-efficient without worrying about the cost. 

The benefits of a green mortgage are twofold: businesses can save money on their energy bills while also supporting the environment. By financing energy-efficient upgrades through a green mortgage, your business can make a significant impact without breaking the bank.

Benefits Of a Green Mortgage

There are several benefits to getting a green mortgage for your business.

  1. You can get a lower interest rate on your mortgage. This is because the lender knows that you are making an effort to be more energy-efficient and save money in the long run.
  2. You may be eligible for tax breaks and other incentives from the government.
  3. You can use the money from your green mortgage to make energy-efficient upgrades to your business. This could include installing new windows, insulation, or a solar panel system.
  4. You can reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment.
  5. You can save money on your energy bills.
  6. It can increase the value of your property.

What To Keep In Mind When Applying For A Green Mortgage

Make sure you will save energy by making changes to your business. The lender will want to see that you have a plan and that your changes will result in savings.

The types of energy-efficient changes you make to your business will also matter. For example, the lender may give more favorable terms if you make changes that reduce emissions or save water.

Your green mortgage doesn’t have to just be for a new building or major renovation project. You can also use it to finance upgrades like solar panels or energy-efficient appliances.

Just like with a traditional mortgage, you’ll need to provide some documentation to support your application. This will likely include an energy audit and a description of the planned changes.

A green mortgage can be a great way to finance essential upgrades for your business. However, make sure you understand all the terms and conditions before applying.

Tips On Making Your Business More Energy Sufficient

  • Install LED lighting. LEDs use up to 90% less energy than traditional bulbs and last ten times longer.
  • Turn off electronics when not in use. Unplugging your TV, computer, and other electronics when they’re not in use can save you a lot of money on your energy bill.
  • Upgrade to an Energy Star certified appliance. Appliances with the Energy Star certification use up to 50% less energy than traditional appliances.
  • Use a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat can help you save money on your energy bill by automatically adjusting the temperature in your building based on occupancy and time of day.
  • Install a roof or window insulation. Proper insulation can help keep your building cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, leading to decreased energy use.
  • Consider green transportation options. For example, swapping out your traditional gas or diesel vehicle for a hybrid or electric car can help reduce your business’s carbon footprint.

Making your business more energy efficient with a green mortgage is a great way to save money and help the environment. Not only will you be making your office more sustainable, but you may also qualify for tax breaks and other incentives from the government. So start making your business more eco-friendly today.

By Julie Starr July 17, 2025
The best branding doesn’t always come from big campaigns or expensive graphics. Sometimes it’s the smaller stuff that leaves the biggest impression. Things people actually use, touch, or carry with them. That’s where your brand can quietly make its mark without needing to shout about it. If you’re only focusing on social media and business cards, you’re leaving a lot on the table. Here are five overlooked ways to get your name out there that feel natural, useful, and more personal. Thank-you slips If you’re already sending out orders, there’s no reason not to include a short thank-you slip. You can easily get these made through any decent online print shop , and they’re usually pretty cheap to run off in small batches. Just a simple note that says thanks, maybe with a reminder to follow you online or a cheeky discount code for next time. It’s quick, thoughtful, and makes the whole order feel more finished. Customers notice that kind of detail, especially when everything else they buy online comes with zero personality. You don’t need a complicated design either. Just something clean with your logo, a message that sounds like you, and maybe a social handle. The point is to give them a reason to come back or remember your name without it feeling forced. Branded zip pouches If you sell physical products, offer services, or run events, small zip pouches are surprisingly effective. Think of the kind you’d use for stationery, receipts, or travel bits. You can get your brand printed on the side and hand them out with purchases or include them in welcome packs. People keep them because they’re actually useful. They get tossed in handbags, school bags, or glove boxes and your logo just keeps turning up. Cleaning cloths for glasses or screens This one works brilliantly if you’re in tech, health, beauty, or anything involving screens or eyewear. A simple microfibre cloth with your branding on it can go a long way. Everyone needs one. Whether they use it for glasses, a phone screen, or their laptop, it’s something they hang onto. It’s not the kind of thing people throw away, and that means your name sticks around too. Receipt envelopes You might already use little envelopes to hand over receipts or business cards. Branding those envelopes is a small change that makes a big difference. Instead of someone getting a scruffy bit of paper in a plain sleeve, they’re handed something that feels a bit more finished. You can even add a message inside. Doesn’t need to be anything dramatic. A simple “thanks for visiting” or “see you next time” is enough to add a personal touch. Wet wipes or mini hand gels If your business is in hospitality, food, or anything hands-on, branded wet wipes or pocket-sized hand gels are surprisingly popular. People actually use them, especially at festivals, food stalls, pop-ups, or kids’ events. They end up in handbags or cars and stick around longer than you think. They don’t scream “marketing” either. They’re practical, and when done right, they make your business feel thoughtful. That’s what good branding does, it shows you’ve thought ahead.
By Julie Starr July 14, 2025
What happens when students stop waiting for adults to fix things and start conducting their own energy audits? Money gets saved. The lights get switched off. Data gets analyzed. And a quiet revolution in sustainability begins—inside schools that once overlooked their own inefficiencies. Across the globe, student-led energy audits are proving that change doesn't always need to come from a policy shift or a major capital budget. Sometimes, it begins with a clipboard, a spreadsheet, and a group of curious minds asking: Why are the hallway lights on at noon when sunlight floods the building? The Energy Detectives These audits aren’t science fair projects. They’re rigorous investigations, often done in collaboration with facilities staff, local environmental nonprofits, or even engineering mentors. Students go from classroom to classroom measuring electricity usage, checking for phantom loads , and identifying where heat is escaping in winter or air conditioning is leaking in summer. One high school in Ontario saved over $12,000 a year after its Grade 11 physics students ran an energy audit and suggested simple changes—LED upgrades, motion sensors in bathrooms, and smarter heating schedules. They didn’t just propose ideas. They pitched them with spreadsheets, thermal images, and payback timelines. It worked. Learning That Pays Off—Literally Unlike textbook learning, these audits blend real-world math, environmental science, economics, and persuasive communication. Students aren’t just learning about sustainability. They’re doing it. And the savings add up. From dimming overlit hallways to reprogramming HVAC systems that run all weekend for empty buildings, students are surfacing blind spots that administrators often overlook. In some districts, their findings are influencing energy policy. Elsewhere, the audits have inspired school boards to hire sustainability coordinators—often alumni of the student programs themselves. There’s something poetic about a school funding new books or laptops from money saved by students who found out the vending machines didn’t need to be plugged in 24/7. Why This Matters More Than Ever With education budgets tightening and utility costs rising, every dollar saved is a dollar that can go back into classrooms. And here’s where it gets interesting from a family finance perspective, too. If you’re a parent setting aside money for post-secondary savings, every bit of school efficiency helps. Fewer energy costs might mean more programming, better STEM facilities, or even bursaries. That raises a broader point: when families save for their children’s future, they often look into RESPs (Registered Education Savings Plans). And many wonder—is a RESP deduction available on my taxes? While contributions themselves aren’t deductible, the gains grow tax-free, and students often pay little to no tax when they withdraw the funds during school. A Movement Worth Replicating These audits aren’t just an exercise in environmentalism. They’re leadership labs. Students learn how to spot inefficiencies, speak up in board meetings, and make a business case for change. They don’t just flip switches—they shift mindsets. And they carry these habits into adulthood. The result? A generation growing up not only with climate anxiety, but also with tools to tackle it.