The rebate landscape in Ontario shifted significantly over the last two years. Several programs homeowners were counting on have closed, and the replacements don’t always cover the same ground.
What closed
The Canada Greener Homes Grant stopped accepting new applications before 2026. Enbridge’s Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) is also done. Both funded heat pumps, insulation, and window replacement at solid rebate levels. If your contractor is still quoting based on either program, ask them to update their numbers.
Home Renovation Savings Program
This is the main program Ontario homeowners can access right now. It runs through Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy with backing from the provincial government. Rebate amounts by upgrade type:
- Insulation: up to $7,700, depending on coverage area
- Cold-climate heat pumps: up to $12,000
- Solar panels and battery storage: up to $10,000
- Smart thermostats: smaller fixed amounts, no assessment required
- Windows and doors: rebate per opening, assessment required
The bigger rebates — heat pumps, insulation, windows — require a pre-retrofit home energy assessment by a registered energy assessor, and you generally need to complete at least two qualifying upgrades together to reach the higher tiers. A single-upgrade application doesn’t unlock the same amounts.
Program details at homerenovationsavings.ca.
Canada Greener Homes Loan
This is a federal interest-free loan up to $40,000 for approved energy efficiency upgrades. Unlike a rebate, you repay it — just at zero interest. Eligible work includes heat pumps, insulation, solar panels, EV charger rough-in, and window or door replacement. Income thresholds don’t apply; this one isn’t means-tested.
Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program
A newer federal program aimed at lower and median-income households. Instead of a rebate you apply for, eligible households get retrofit work done without paying upfront through a direct-install model. As of spring 2026, Ontario hasn’t finalized its participation agreement, so whether this is available to Ontario homeowners isn’t confirmed. Check natural-resources.canada.ca for updates.
Toronto: Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)
If you’re in the City of Toronto, HELP provides low-interest financing for energy upgrades. Repayment comes through your property tax bill as a local improvement charge — not a separate payment to the city. The cost spreads over several years on your tax statement. For large projects where the upfront number is the main barrier, this makes the math work differently than a conventional loan.
Stacking and timing
Some combinations are worth knowing. A common one: use the Home Renovation Savings Program rebate on a heat pump project, then cover remaining costs with the federal interest-free loan. The rebate reduces the financed amount; the loan covers the rest at zero interest.
The pre-retrofit energy assessment trips people up more than anything else. Most of the significant rebates require a registered assessor to evaluate the home before work starts. Budget $300–$500 for the assessment and book it early. In spring, assessors run several weeks out.
Before signing anything with a contractor, it’s worth confirming: who handles the rebate paperwork — you or them? Which program is the right intake point for your project type? Can the pre-assessment happen before your scheduled start date? Rebate payments typically arrive weeks or months after the retrofit is done, not before, so if cash flow matters, factor that in.
If you have a specific project in mind, post the details. Contractors and homeowners on the forum can give a realistic read on what’s claimable for different project types.
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