Barb's Story

Halloween decorations line the stairs leading up to Barb’s home in Edmonton, where she has lived for over 25 years. Today, she lives here with her son and two young grandchildren. Built in 1950, the house requires regular maintenance, but between her full-time job and caregiving responsibilities, Barb lacks the time, budget, and bandwidth to invest in necessary repairs and upgrades.

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This past May, Barb’s world was turned upside down when a fire destroyed her garage, leaving Barb to manage complicated insurance claims and repairs. Since then, Barb’s home looks different than usual; with the garage still out of commission and insurance claims dragging on, Barb’s living room has become a storage space filled with precious family belongings.

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Barb first learned about the Home Upgrades Program (HUP) through her boss, whose mother had previously participated. At first, Barb felt too overwhelmed to consider applying.  

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“I was like I don’t have time for that, because I'm already dealing with all this stuff,” said Barb, “and she [her boss] was like, ‘No, really, I think it might help you.’”  

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Like many homeowners, Barb was initially sceptical. “She [her boss] said it's all free and I was like, ‘what? That can't be.’” If it weren’t for this referral, she admits the program application would have likely wound up on her ever-growing “To Do” list.

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After applying, Barb was surprised by how quickly things progressed. She expected a long wait but was promptly contacted by Yasmin, HUP’s program coordinator.  

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"I’m thinking, okay, this is not going to be until who knows when, because when something like this is free, you’re gonna be on a waitlist for a year or whatever... Then I'm getting the calls: ‘We’d like to schedule an appointment!’ And I think...that was quick!”  

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The program’s quick and easy application and booking process was a relief to Barb, as she already felt stretched thin. With little time to research or shop for home upgrades, even the smallest additions, like LED light bulbs, have made a noticeable difference in her home.

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“With the age of the house, everything is going. We’re at the point where everything basically has to be replaced or fixed. Every little thing is a blessing because it’s one more thing that you don’t have to look for, or get, or pay for.”

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One of the most significant improvements was replacing her 25-year-old hot water tank, which had been a longstanding worry.  

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“The hot water tank has been sitting on my shoulders for years... [but] you know, finances,” she recalls. “Sometimes you didn't have to have the cold [water] on because it just would not heat up enough.”  

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After the upgrade, everything changed. “Now I notice when you turn it on, you've got to pull away pretty quick or make sure you got some cold on there.” With reliable hot water, everyday tasks like cleaning and laundry have become much easier.

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Sharing her experience, Barb expressed her appreciation for the HUP team, particularly Russ, HUP’s construction manager in Edmonton.  

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“Russ is always imparting [knowledge]... giving me tips, giving me ways to save money, all kinds of things, it’s phenomenal – just helps your life to progress. That's what I felt, like finally things are getting done.”  

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Barb further recounts how the team exceeded her expectations, even addressing a broken lock on her back door. “The back door wasn’t locking... so it was a massive relief to have that done” she says, further describing her family’s safety concerns.  

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Reflecting on the experience, Barb shared how the program alleviated a financial strain, while giving her some time back to focus on other things. For Barb, HUP was more than an energy efficiency initiative—it provided crucial support during a difficult year.  

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"It’s been a highlight of my year, I'll put it that way," she says. "I think what you guys do is amazing and just keep doing what you’re doing. And just thank you to everybody in the program.”

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The program is made possible thanks to the generosity of our funding partners: Alberta Ecotrust Foundation, the City of Calgary, the City of Edmonton, ENMAX, the Alberta Real Estate Foundation, the McConnell Foundation, Suncor Energy Foundation, and Calgary Foundation.

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