WHAT IS “THE CANADA GREENER HOMES GRANT?”
Did you know that residential buildings in Canada contribute a significant 18% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions? In response to this challenge and to promote a greener economy, the federal government launched the Canada Greener Homes Initiative. The primary goal of this initiative is to enhance the energy efficiency of homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The program currently includes two main components: the Grants Program and the Loan Program.
Up to 700,000 grants of up to $10,000 and interes-free loans of up to $40,000 to help homeowners make energy efficient retrofits to their homes
EnerGuide evaluations (worth up to $600) and expert advice to homeowners so they can begin to plan their retrofits
Expert installation of high quality and lifetime warranty of windows and doors that meet and exceed required energy ratings in Canada
Replace your windows or sliding glass doors with energy star certified models:
- U-Factor of 1.22 W/m²K or less or
- Energy Rating ≥ 34
- Your selection must be on one of the following lists: windows or sliding glass doors
Amount / Per rough opening
$125Replace your windows or sliding glass doors with energy star Most Efficient models:
- U-Factor of 1.05 W/m²K or less or
- Energy Rating ≥ 40
- Your selection must be on one of the following lists: windows or sliding glass doors
Amount / Per rough opening
$325Replace your windows or sliding glass doors with energy star certified models:
- U-Factor of 1.22 W/m²K or less or
- Energy Rating ≥ 34
- Your selection must be on one of the following lists: Hinged doors, sidelites and transoms
Amount / Per rough opening
$1251. A rough opening is the structural framing in a wall or roof separating a heated from unheated space that creates an opening for the installation of a window, door, or skylight. For example, a bay window with three window units installed into one rough opening is eligible for only one grant
2. Energy star certified means that the model meets or exceeds the Energy star levels. Each certified model comes with a temporary label showing that this item is Energy-star certified
What’s Covered Under the Greener Home Grant?
Canada’s Greener Homes Grant is set to reimburse up to $10,000 in retrofits such as doors and windows, HVAC equipment, renewable energy, and home insulation, geared towards improving the energy efficiency of residential homes. Eligible homeowners will be updated throughout the initiative’s life to keep them informed.
The Green Home Program will also contribute to a lesser extent towards upgrades such as programmable thermostats, resiliency measures, and air sealing.
However, the Canada Home Retrofit Program is conditional on carrying out EnerGuide energy audits, and a total of $600 will be reimbursed for this course.
What’s covered under the Greener Homes Loan?
Under this program, homeowners can apply for an interest-free loan, with a maximum value of $40,000, can be repaid over a 10-year period.
It aims to support homeowners in financing the purchase and installation of new eligible products, recommended by an energy advisor, and meeting the criteria for the grant.
Notably, the installation of these products must not have commenced or been completed before the homeowner’s loan application. More information about the program as well as the program eligibility criteria can be found here.
Assess your eligibility
Book an appointment with our consultants
Get priority booking with our energy audit partner
Get your windows/doors installed
Book a second energy audit
Receive the rebate
Maximize Your Returns on Greener Homes Window Replacement Grant
At Buildmart, our replacement windows are all ENERGY-STAR certified and qualify for the highest amount redeemable under Greener Homes Window Grants for homeowners in Canada.
This is a great way to get your money back! Besides, since our windows are energy-efficient, this will help you cut down on your monthly energy utility bills and save money.
Greener Homes Ottawa, Ontario: Our Process of Active Application
To further help our homeowner clients understand the Canada Greener Homes Initiative, we decided to test it out ourselves, going through all the eligibility requirements of a regular application.
Working on a team member’s home, we noticed an older double-glazed window in the children’s bedroom was letting in a lot of cold air in the winter.
Using a thermal imaging device, we saw the issue was at the bottom of the window frame where we later learned insulation was missing altogether!
On the house, which was built in 2017, all the original windows are construction-grade and are typically known to be of lower quality than brand-new replacement windows.
So we decided to order a new energy-efficient set from our suppliers here at Buildmart.
Greener Homes Loan or Grant for Applicants?
Since this is a home renovation to improve the energy efficiency of the home, it’s a perfect opportunity to take advantage of the Canada Greener Homes Program, and here we went for the Grant portion, not the Canada Greener Homes Loan.
The Loan is also an awesome option for you to make your home more comfortable and energy-efficient.
It offers an interest-free loan as part of the program, up to $40,000 with a repayment term of 10 years.
After ensuring our project falls within the eligibility requirements and filling out all the required fields just like regular applicants, it’s time to take window measurements and make a step forward with our climate-friendly upgrade!
Since every window is custom-made to size, the Buildmart team takes many measurements and re-measurements to ensure everything is correct.
EnerGuide Audit: Greener Homes Grant Ontario
Since a mandatory aspect of the program is to get pre-upgrade and post-upgrade EnerGuide Home Energy Evaluations, that’s what we did next!
After the new windows are installed, the inspector will come back to measure the effect of the new windows — depending on how old your windows and house are, this can be a 4-20% impact on the energy efficiency of your home!
The EnerGuide audit takes about 2 hours. Now we are ready for the installation of new windows in the home.
Ordering from the #1 manufacturer in Canada, these new STAGE windows are ENERGY-STAR certified and meet the highest eligibility criteria of the Grant program which means we are claiming the maximum rebate.
It’s very important not to remove the stickers on your new windows that contain its Energy Rating – these are important for your second EnerGuide audit.
Climate-Friendly Home Upgrade Program for Canadians, by the Government of Canada
The effects of climate change are no secret and the Government of Canada is helping make a difference by offering a rebate on energy-efficient upgrades to heating and cooling products, as well as new windows and doors replacement in the primary residence.
By offering a kickback on these renovations, Canadians’ homes will conserve more energy and homeowners will even enjoy lower utility bills as a direct result!
Make sure to apply in the pre-retrofit stage and keep all your receipts, documents, and complete EnerGuide audits to be eligible.
The program is targeted towards homeowners and renters and landlords are therefore not eligible.
Also, since it is a government program, make sure to only apply through official channels and beware of unsolicited contact through door-to-door energy scams.
This program is delivered together by Natural Resources Canada and the Government of Quebec in the province of Quebec, which is important to know when applying for the Renoclimat program as a homeowner in Gatineau.
Note that provinces such as Nova Scotia and British Columbia have slightly different enrolment rules and processes. Here, we describe the Ontario Greener Homes Initiative.