There is a new government rebate programme in Ontario! The Home Renovation Saving Program offers Ontario homeowners up to $100 per window or door that is replaced with an ENERGY STAR-certified version. With this fantastic rebate programme, you can reduce your energy bills, upgrade your windows and doors and save money – if you were thinking of upgrading, now is the time!
What is the Home Renovation Savings Program?
Effective January 28, 2025, the Home Renovation Savings Program offers generous rebates to homeowners towards eligible energy-efficient upgrades. The Ontario government is using this program to help families save money and reduce energy consumption while contributing to a greener future.
Key Rebate Amounts
Through this program, homeowners can get rebates of as much as 30% of the costs of qualifying energy-efficient upgrades. Savings to note include:
- Windows and Doors: Up to $100 for each new ENERGY STAR-certified window or door.
- Home Energy Assessments: $600 rebate for professional evaluation.
- Insulation: Up to $8,900.
- Air Sealing: Up to $250.
- Smart Thermostats: $75.
- Heat Pump Water Heaters: $500.
- Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps: Up to $7,500.
- Ground Source Heat Pumps: Up to $12,000.
- Rooftop Solar Panels and Battery Storage Systems: Up to $5,000.
There’s more coming too – later in 2025, expect rebates for energy-efficient refrigerators and freezers.
Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible, a homeowner must meet the following conditions:
- You own the house and it is your only principal residence
- All products must be ENERGY STAR certified and further listed as an eligible product by the program
- Equipment must be purchased within Canada and online orders may be approved if placed with Canadian distributors.
- A licensed Registered Energy Advisor must conduct both a pre-retrofit assessment and a post-retrofit evaluation.
How To Apply?
- Initial Energy Assessment: Book a pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation with a registered energy advisor.
- Complete the Retrofits: Have the recommended upgrades completed.
- Final Energy Assessment: When the work is finished, have the same advisor perform a post-retrofit evaluation.
- Claim Your Rebate: Send in the required documentation to receive your rebate.
Important Restrictions and Considerations
Work cannot start before applying. The incentive program only covers retrofits that are recommended in your initial energy evaluation. Products cannot be installed, and the ENERGY STAR label cannot be removed, until after the post-retrofit inspection. Only one loan or rebate application per household is permitted.
Other Incentives: Canada Greener Homes Loan
Apart from the Home Renovation Savings Program, another option that a homeowner can consider is the Canada Greener Homes Loan. It is a federal program offering interest-free loans for energy-efficient home improvements. The salient features of the same are as follows:
- Loan Amount: Ranges from $5,000 to $40,000.
- Payback: Interest-free, repayable over 10 years.
- Eligibility: Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or authorized non-permanent residents; property to be owner-occupied.
- How It Works: Complete the pre-retrofit evaluation, apply for the loan, make the upgrades, and then do the post-retrofit evaluation.
- Important Notes: Work cannot commence before the loan application. Funds are only disbursed for eligible, approved retrofits.
By utilizing these rebate and loan opportunities, Ontario homeowners can make energy-efficient upgrades more affordable, lower their utility bills, and contribute to a greener future. Whether you’re replacing old windows, installing energy-efficient doors, or upgrading insulation, now is the time to take advantage of these government-backed programs.