Scotiabank and Climative Want to Make Canadian Homes “Future-Ready”—Here’s How

As energy costs climb and climate risks intensify across Canada, homeowners are facing a new kind of renovation question: not just what looks good, but what will actually make their homes more efficient, resilient—and affordable—in the long run.

That’s the thinking behind a new partnership between Scotiabank and Climative, which introduces an AI-powered Home Energy and Advice Tool designed to help Canadians make smarter, more informed upgrade decisions.

The tool arrives at a critical moment. While nearly all Canadian homeowners planning renovations say energy efficiency is a priority, fewer than half actually understand what incentives are available—or where to begin.

Turning climate anxiety into action

For Winston Morton, CEO of Climative, the goal is to move homeowners from uncertainty to clarity.

“ ‘Future-ready’ means empowering homeowners to proactively make their homes more energy efficient and resilient to climate risks like storms and fire,” he explains. “It’s about turning these abstract concerns into concrete, actionable steps homeowners can take—and connecting them to the financing supports they need.”

That sense of overwhelm is something the platform is specifically designed to address. Rather than offering generic advice, the tool analyzes property-specific data—like when a home was built or how it’s heated—to generate personalized upgrade recommendations.

“Homeowners often feel overwhelmed because they lack clear direction and reliable data specific to their situation,” Morton says. “By showing them their home’s energy, emissions, and risk rating—and then providing their specific upgrade options with estimated costs and savings—we replace uncertainty with clarity.”

Why personalization matters

One of the biggest misconceptions about energy efficiency is that there’s a universal “best” upgrade. In reality, impact varies dramatically from home to home.

“This is never one-size-fits-all, and that’s precisely why we built this tool,” Morton notes. “It pinpoints the personalized upgrades that will offer the most significant impact, both in terms of energy savings and improved comfort, along with clear cost and payback estimates provided right away.”

That tailored approach also helps translate sustainability from a broad concept into something tangible.

“Sustainability can feel abstract, but our platform makes it tangible,” he adds. “We connect it directly to individual circumstances—showing which upgrades will reduce emissions, lower energy bills, and enhance resilience—so homeowners can make informed decisions that are right for them.”

Bridging the cost barrier

Of course, even the most compelling upgrade plan can stall without a clear financial path forward. That’s where Scotiabank sees its role.

“Many homeowners in Canada are looking for ways to save on energy costs and improve energy efficiency, but knowing where to start—especially for bigger upgrades—can feel overwhelming,” says Anique Asher, Executive Vice President, Real Estate Secured Lending at Scotiabank.

The tool doesn’t just outline potential improvements—it also breaks down costs, projected savings, and payback timelines, helping homeowners understand the real return on investment.

“This personalized insight, alongside access to tailored advice from Scotiabank advisors on financing, supports more informed decisions, making long-term investments feel more manageable,” Asher explains.

Why banks are stepping in

This marks the first time a Canadian bank has integrated an AI-driven home energy tool directly into its offering—a move that signals a broader shift in how financial institutions engage with sustainability.

“We can connect homeowners with financing and guidance to make home energy upgrades a reality,” says Asher. “Our advisors can help explore flexible financing options, including the responsible use of home equity, making energy-efficient upgrades more accessible.”

There’s also a clear need to simplify the fragmented landscape of rebates and incentives, which often deters homeowners from taking action.

“Anyone who has researched energy efficiency incentives knows how complex and fragmented the information can be,” she adds. “The tool brings that information into one place—clearly identifying available rebates and funding programs relevant to specific upgrades.”

A more confident path forward

Ultimately, the partnership aims to shift the homeowner experience from guesswork to guided decision-making—combining data, advisory support, and financing into a single ecosystem.

Or, as Morton puts it: “We’re turning property-level intelligence into personalized guidance that helps homeowners make their homes safer, more comfortable, and more affordable … helping them get future-ready, one home at a time.”

For Canadians navigating rising costs and climate uncertainty, that kind of clarity may be the most valuable upgrade of all. —Noa Nichol