Home Retrofit Programs

1. Home Energy Rebate Plus Program (HER+) – up to $10,000 **

This is main source of grants for energy efficiency in Ontario. It is a combined program of the Government of Canada and Enbridge, delivered by Enbridge. For Enbridge customers the maximum total grant may be up to $10,000. If you are not an Enbridge customer the maximum total grant is $5000.

Most types of homes qualify including homes that do not use gas and tenant occupied homes. People who applied to the earlier version of the Greener Homes Grant or the Home Energy Program may be able to do additional work that will qualify for a rebate.

The grants are for a variety of energy saving actions ranging from installing heat pumps, to insulation, to new windows to solar power etc. In all cases you must conduct a home energy assessment before doing the work. There is an additional grant of $600 to cover the cost of the initial assessment and an assessment after the work has been done. See below for more information on energy advisors and audits.

All money paid out is in the form of a rebate (grant) after the work is completed.

More information on this program and the rebates you qualify for can be found at Enbridge’s Rebates and Energy Conservation.

2. Canada Greener Homes Loan – no interest, up to $40,000

The Federal Government has a no interest loan program for up to $40,000 that works with the Home Energy Rebate Plus (HER+) program above.

If you wish to carry out work that has been recommended in the home energy assessment and is eligible for a grant you may apply for a no-interest loan to cover costs not covered by the rebates in the HER+ program. In Ontario you must first apply to the HER+ program and through that process you can apply for the Federal loan.

Loans are only available for new projects. They are personal loans that are paid back over ten years. You must get quotes for the work to be performed. The minimum loan is $5,000 and the maximum $40,000.

More information can be found at Canada Greener Homes Loans.

3. City of Toronto Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) – low interest, up to $125,000

The City of Toronto provides low interest loans of up to $125,000 to home owners for household improvements that will increase energy efficiency and reduce the use of fossil fuels. The loan is designed to be combined with other energy efficiency rebates and incentives and covers a wide range of activities from installing solar, heat pumps, induction stoves and Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging to improving insulation and windows.

Loan and interest rate amounts:

• Loans up to $125,000
• Interest rates are fixed when the loan is granted and will not fluctuate over the term
• The interest rate is low as it is based on the City of Toronto’s borrowing rate

For more program and application process information is available from the City of Toronto’s Home Energy Loan Program.

4. Home Winterproofing Program – income based

Enbridge has an option for those on limited incomes (based either on their tax returns or being enrolled in a government income assistance program). This option provides the following, arranged by Enbridge:

• Free home energy assessment
• Free energy-efficient upgrades, including insulation, draft proofing and a smart thermostat
• Professional installation by their qualified contractors

More information on who is eligible and how to apply for this program is available from Enbridge’s Home Winterproofing Program

5. Energy Affordability Program (EAP)

This Energy Affordability Program provides free energy efficient upgrades for those who qualify. It is income dependent based on either your tax return or being enrolled in a government assistance program.

• You must pay your own electricity bills
• To find out if you qualify go to the EAP website to fill out a short form, call 1-855-591-0877 or email eap@saveonenergy.ca

Depending on your eligibility and the existing equipment within your home, you may receive:

• ENERGY STAR®-certified LED light bulbs
• High-efficiency showerheads (standard and handheld)*
• Faucet aerators (kitchen and bathroom)*
• Drying line for clothes
• Energy-efficient refrigerator
• Window air conditioner
• Smart power strip
• Additional attic or basement insulation**
• Weatherstripping around doors and windows**
• Smart thermostat(s)**

* for homes with electric hot water heating
** for homes heated by electricity

6. Smart Thermostat Program

Enbridge has an instant rebate program for smart thermostats. Before you buy, get a $75 discount code and redeem it at the time of purchase at selected retailers. Access the code from Enbridge Smart Thermostats.

City of Toronto Energy Efficiency Incentives for Homeowners

The City of Toronto’s Energy Efficiency Incentives for Homeowners page covers additional sources of assistance for home energy efficiency. It may be more up to date than the information here which is correct as of January 17, 2023. However, it does not currently reflect how grants or rebates and loans are applied for, how much cumulatively is provided in grants or loans, or how the programs are intended to work together.

Return to the top of the GRANTS, LOANS AND OTHER PROGRAMS FOR HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY section ^

After contacting many of the energy advisors in the Toronto area who are approved by the federal government, we selected six who were particularly suited to evaluating the older homes found in our neighbourhood. They have agreed to have their names and contact information listed here. All are very busy, so we recommend that you contact them many weeks before you would like to have an energy assessment performed. As our project evolves, we may be removing and adding names to the list. (NB: our inclusion here does not constitute an endorsement. The list is in alphabetical order based on family name.)

• Vahid Azari
  Service organization: All Season Inspection
  info@allseasoninspection.ca
  416 276 1346
• Sarah Grant
  Service organization: ER Energy Solutions
  sgrant@goldfinchenergy.ca
  647 860 5779
• Anne Hogarth
  Service organization: ER Energy Solutions
  ahogarth@goldfinchenergy.ca
  416 949 0799
• Violet Kopperson
  Service organization: Windfall Centre
  energy@windfallcentre.ca
  905 727 0491

Before the audit

• Let the energy advisor know if there is an apartment in your home
• Locate your Property Tax Roll Number (or take a copy of your Property Tax bill)
• Complete all forms received from the energy advisor
• Compile a list of goals such as saving money, improving comfort, reducing carbon emissions, going solar, upgrading equipment
• Gather your energy (hydro and gas) bills for the prior 12 months. (Recent bills contain a 12-month history). NB: This step is helpful but not necessary
• Have information available on age of property, size, insulation levels (if known) in walls and ceiling without attic access
• Draw up a list of problem areas: places with drafts, moisture, areas that are too hot or too cold, specific rooms with issues
• If you have any broken windows or doors, you must seal them for the blower test to be conducted
• Have info ready to share on any special equipment: space heaters, medical equipment, heat pumps, electric car chargers, solar panels

Day of audit (allow 2-4 hours depending on size of house)

• Close all windows and doors for blower test
• Close all dampers to fireplaces/wood stoves for blower test
• Clean ashes out of fireplaces for blower test
• Ensure access to basement, attic, crawlspaces, furnace, water heater and air conditioning

What to expect during the audit

• A discussion of items listed above, highlighting any concerns
• The energy advisor will examine house’s interior and exterior, assess the electrical system and appliances
• The energy advisor will conduct a blower door test to identify air leakage
• The energy advisor will conduct a basement-to-attic assessment of insulation, heating, cooling and other energy use by looking for holes or light from outside in attic, basement, crawl spaces. The advisor will also look for dark areas on insulation for air and dust, indicating leakage

To conclude the test, the energy advisor will provide a comprehensive customized EnerGuide report of their findings and a list of recommendations and options to best fit your budget.