The Canada Greener Homes Grant is a federal program designed to encourage Canadian homeowners to make their homes more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Through this program, Canadians can receive grants of up to $5,000 to help with home improvements like home heating upgrades, window replacements, and solar panel installation.
The program was launched to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce your carbon footprint, and help to meet Canada's climate-related goals.
Whether you're a first time home buyer or have lived in your house for years, the funds provided by the Canada Greener Homes Grant program can give life to your dreams of a more eco-friendly property.
Key Takeaways
- The Canada Greener Homes Grant provides homeowners with up to $5,000 to help pay for renovations that make a home more energy efficient.
- Homeowners must complete pre-retrofit and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluations with a registered energy advisor in order to apply for grant funds.
- Acceptable retrofit projects include improvements to home insulation, air sealing, replacing windows and doors, installing new thermostats, and more.
- There are many other similar funding opportunities available, including some from the federal government as well as provincial governments and individual municipalities.
How the Canada Greener Homes Grant works
To achieve the goal of making homes more eco-friendly, there are 6 steps involved in the Canada Greener Homes Grant process. It begins with your application and finishes with you and your family enjoying the benefits of a greener, more sustainable home.
Here are the steps and details involved in the process:
- Apply: To begin the process, you'll need to review eligibility requirements, choose a service to do your EnerGuide evaluation, and submit your application online. The conditions of this evaluation are specific to the area where you live – check the government's "How the grant process works" page before booking an assessment.
- Pre-retrofit EnerGuide home evaluation: This assessment measures the energy efficiency of your home. It should be conducted by an energy advisor who's registered with Natural Resources Canada and works for one of the service organizations listed on the Canada Greener Homes application portal. Once it's completed, you can decide which retrofits you'd like to do and apply for an interest-free loan if you choose, as long as it's before the retrofit work begins.
- Retrofit your home: Once you've studied the evaluation and decided which retrofits will work best for your home and budget, the work can begin.
- Post-retrofit EngerGuide evaluation: Once all the work is complete, you must have another EnerGuide assessment done to see how energy efficient your home has become. You'll need to submit various documents related to the details of this evaluation.
- Request/receive a grant: You'll receive an email discussing the total grant amount you require in order to cover part of the cost of your home's retrofits. After you've replied and confirmed the amount in question, you should receive the grant funds as a cheque within 30 business days.
Through this process, homes become greener and our planet becomes a bit safer for everyone.
Canada Greener Homes Grant rebate amounts
There are Canada Greener Homes Grants available from as little as $125 to as much as $5,000. The program also provides up to $600 towards the cost of your pre- and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluations, and access to interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to help with your retrofits.
As for specific retrofitting projects, here's an overview of the grant amounts available for each one:
| Retrofits | Maximum rebate amount |
|---|---|
| Home insulation | $5,000 |
| Air sealing | $1,000 |
| Windows and doors | $5,000 |
| Thermostat | $50 |
| Space and water heating | $5,000 |
| Renewable energy | $5,000 |
| Resiliency measures | $2,625 |
| Low rise multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) | Varies |
Of course, the numbers in the table above are the maximum you can receive for the individual retrofit. There's typically a general amount offered for the job and sometimes there are options for doing a bit more work in a specific area to qualify for a larger amount, up to the amounts listed above.
For more details on rebate amounts for MURBs, see: "Multi-unit Residential Buildings."
Canada Greener Homes Grant eligibility
When looking at Canada Greener Homes Grand eligibility, you'll need to consider the details regarding who is eligible as well as the types of properties that are eligible. Individual homeowners who meet the criteria are welcome to apply for this program, as are housing management bodies, Indigenous governments or organizations, and certain other representative or Indigenous service delivery organizations.
Here are the eligibility requirements for individuals and organizations:
- must own the home (proof may be required),
- the home must be your primary residence,
- the home must be more than 6 months old (based on date of occupancy), and.
- must complete both a pre and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation.
Keep in mind that any completed upgrades must be recommended and deemed eligible (see above) by the Renovation Upgrade Report.
These are the types of homes and properties that are eligible for renovations under the Canada Greener Homes initiative:
- single and semi-detached houses,
- row housing/townhomes,
- all-season cottages,
- mobile homes on a permanent foundation,
- permanently-moored floating homes,
- mixed use buildings (residential portion only), and
- small multi-unit residential buildings (with specific dimensions).
To find out if your specific home is eligible, visit the federal "Check your eligibility" page and follow the prompts and questions about your structure and situation.
Ontario residents should note that the Canada Greener Homes Grant in this province has been replaced by the Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) program. Quebec and Nova Scotia also have their own provincial programs and you'll need to book your EnerGuide evaluations through them.
How to apply for the Canada Greener Homes Grant
Once you've determined your eligibility, you may notice that the application procedure can vary by province and territory. Most applicants can head to the Natural Resources Canada page for the Canada Greener Homes Grant and follow the instructions there. You'll be reminded that beginning an application means booking a pre-retrofit EnerGuide home evaluation.
Residents of these specific areas of Canada can find more information here:
Wherever you live, though, you'll likely need the following documents on hand when applying for the Greener Homes Rebate:
- government-issued ID,
- property tax statement,
- a utility bill,
- proof of income,
- proof of employment,
- quotes from contractors,
- receipts for your pre- and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluations,
- all receipts (paid in full) for purchases and installation costs.
Other green grants and opportunities to consider
There are several other grants and funding opportunities aside from the Canada Greener Homes Grant that you can check out, on federal, provincial, and even municipal levels.
Here's an overview of some of the funding possibilities to consider:
| Program name | Details |
|---|---|
| Canada Greener Homes Loan | * Available for all Canadians * Loans up to $40,000 * Interest-free financing to help you complete some retrofits recommended by an energy advisor |
| Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program | * Available for all Canadians * Grants up to $10,000 * Helps medium and low-income households transition from oil head to a more efficient heat pump source |
| Ottawa Better Homes Loan Program | * Available for residents of Ontario * Loans up to $125,000 * Offers low-interest, 20-year loans to help pay for home energy improvements |
| Clean Energy Improvement Program | * Available for residents of certain municipalities in Alberta * Amounts vary * Provides a means of financing energy efficiency or renewable energy upgrades by increasing individual municipal property taxes |
| RénoClimat | * Available for residents of Quebec * Grants up to $5,365 * Helps homeowners pay for renovations that improve energy efficiency |
| TakeCHARGE | * Available for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador * Loans and grants up to $17,000 * Provides information and financial assistance for energy-efficient upgrades in the home |
| Arctic Energy Alliance | * Available for residents of the Northwest Territories * Rebates up to $50,000 * Helps residents adopt efficient and renewable energy products and home renovations |
There are many more grants and financial aid programs available for Canadians looking to upgrade their home to be more eco friendly. These options are also listed on provincial government websites, so be sure to check yours for more information.
Will you take advantage of the Canada Greener Homes Grant?
The Canada Greener Homes Grant offers a valuable opportunity for Canadians to enhance the energy efficiency of their homes, reduce carbon footprints, and more. By taking advantage of this initiative, homeowners can play a crucial role in building a more sustainable future for themselves and our planet.
Are you inspired to make some energy efficient changes to your home? Will you apply for the Canada Greener Homes Grant, or perhaps a different program?
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$25 GeniusCash + Delicious meal choices with fresh ingredients + Front-door delivery.FAQ
What is the $5,000 homeowner grant in Canada?
This is the Canada Greener Homes Grant, which is intended to help homeowners make their homes more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Depending on the type of work done, rebates up to $5,000 are available.
What are the eligible home upgrades and retrofits?
The list of eligible retrofits includes home insulation, air sealing, thermostat, renewable energy, and more. All products and equipment must be purchased in Canada, and your full rebate amount will vary, depending on the work done.
Where can I find the Canada Greener Homes Grant application?
Most Canadians can apply for the Canada Greener Homes Grant through the Natural Resources Canada website. Residents of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and certain Northern communities have different application guidelines that can also be found on this page.
What are the Canada Greener Homes Grant eligibility details?
To be eligible, a home must be your primary residence, be more than 6 months old, and be owned by the applicant. Eligible home types include single and semi-detached houses, all-season cottages, permanently-moored floating homes, and more.
Are there any other Canada green home solutions?
Yes, there are many other green grants and opportunities available for Canadians looking to make greener choices for their homes. These include the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program, Clean Energy Improvement Program, and Arctic Energy Alliance.
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