Active programs:
Canada Greener Homes Loan – The Canada Greener Homes Loan offers a zero interest loan of up to $40,000 with up to 10 years to pay it back. This loan can be used for any of the upgrades that qualified under the Canada Greener Homes Grant. The eligible upgrades include:
- Solar Panels and Battery Storage
- Heat Pumps
- Heat Pump Water Heaters
- Windows and Doors
- Insulation – Attic, Exterior Walls, Foundation: including headers/rim joist and crawl space ceiling
- Foundation Waterproofing
- Air Sealing
To qualify:
You must have a pre-retrofit energy audit completed by an energy advisor registered with one of the eight authorized service organizations.
After the pre-retrofit audit is complete you will receive your report files. The 10 digit number associated with your report will be needed to apply. You may start your application by going to www.cghli.ca
Once you have been approved, it is recommended to let your contractors know so they can begin on your home improvements. If you are only participating in the Canada Greener Homes Loan you will have 1 year from the date of the application to complete all work as well as the post-retrofit energy audit. When combining programs your deadline will be restricted to the shortest deadline of the programs.
Home Renovation Savings Program (Began Jan 28th 2025) – The Home Renovation Savings program offers rebates of up to $5000 including the $600 rebate toward the energy audit for Enbridge gas customers and up to $10,000 in rebates for electrically heated homes. A minimum of two upgrade measures must be completed to qualify.
A pre and post-retrofit audit is required when upgrading the following:
- Attic insulation
- Exterior wall insultation
- Foundation insulation (basement / crawl space)
- Exposed floor insulation
- Foundation header insulation (does not count as a measure, but there is a rebate)
- Windows and/or Doors
- Reducing air leakage
- Heat pump water heaters
For heat pumps and solar panels it is only necessary to complete a pre-retrofit energy audit if you are also taking advantage of the Canada Greener Homes Loan.
You have 180 days to complete all upgrades as well as the post-retrofit energy audit
The homeowner may only perform the work needed to reduce air leakage. All other upgrades must be completed by a professional to qualify for the rebates.
For further details please visit the Home Renovation Savings website or contact us for help.
Mortgage Insurance Premiums Refund
There are three default mortgage insurance companies that offer an incentive when you build, purchase or renovate a home to meet their criteria.
To qualify you must apply within 2 years of ownership and you had a down payment of less than 20%. You must be able to provide an energy label along with your application. The energy label is generated after an energy audit has been completed and the file has been processed by the service organization responsible for quality assurance. This is typically within 3 to 5 days.
The onsite assessment requires an average of 1.5 hours.
While all three programs essentially are the same, there may be some differences between them. If you do not know what company insured your mortgage, talk to the institution that provided you with your mortgage.
CMHC Eco Plus – Partial refund (up to 25%) of your mortgage insurance premiums.
Sagen Energy Efficient Housing Program – Partial refund (up to 25%) of your mortgage insurance premiums.
Canada Guaranty Energy-Efficient Advantage – Partial refund (up to 25%) of your mortgage insurance premiums.
CMHC, Sagen and Canada Guaranty offer the partial refund incentive for existing homes that reach the greenhouse gas target for their region.
All of the active programs require a pre and post-retrofit energy evaluation/audit by a registered energy advisor. Energy advisors are registered by Natural Resources Canada and are required to process their files through a registered service organization.
When selecting an energy advisor, it is highly recommended to ask if the are members of the Canadian Association of Consulting Energy Advisors (CACEA).
CACEA holds their members to the highest standards in the industry. CACEA members are required to remain current with education and follow a strict code of ethics.