Eco Rebates

FAQ

GENERAL INFORMATION

What's New?

As part of the Government of Ontario's Economic Plan, the Ontario Home Energy Savings Program has been expanded to help more homeowners cover the cost of a home energy audit and the cost of cost of making energy-efficiency retrofits to their homes. The expanded time-limited program includes a $178-million increase in funding over two years.

How much can I get back?

Ontario Home Energy Savings Program combined with the federal ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes provides home and property owners with retrofit grants of up to $10,000 in total. The amount of your grant will depend on the upgrades you complete. Please refer to the grant chart for the incentive amounts for each qualifying upgrade.

How do I get started?

Your first step is to consider if you are ready to invest in renovations that will save energy and money. Once you are ready, contact a licensed service organization to book an appointment for your energy assessment. Although all renovations started prior to obtaining a pre-retrofit energy assessment are not eligible for a grant, the home must be in such a state (including proper doors, windows, and roof) that the energy advisor can assess the building to make recommendations for improvement.

How much can homeowners expect to save in terms of annual energy use and greenhouse gas emissions?

Naturally, that depends on the condition of the home and the types of upgrades that are undertaken. Based on the average rebate amount, homeowners participating in the Retrofit Component of the Ontario Home Energy Savings Program will typically achieve up to a 30% reduction in energy use, as well as an average annual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of about 3 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Typically, this translates into annual savings of $600 a year on a $2,000 annual heating bill.

If I want to sell my home after I have completed my upgrades can I get a certificate from the government to show that my home is energy efficient and that this work has been undertaken?

The information in your post-retrofit audit — plus your new EnerGuide rating label — can make a great package when you're selling your home. If a potential homebuyer is interested in your home's total annual energy costs, they will also be very interested in the upgrades you completed as part of your retrofit.

Will personal information about my home be secure and protected?

Yes. Any personal information collected is protected under Ontario's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Where can I get more information about the Ontario Home Energy Savings Program?

If you still have questions after reading this website, please call the Ontario Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure Call Info Line at 1-888-668-4636 for more information about the Ontario Home Energy Savings Programs.

The Ontario Home Energy Savings Program rules match the ecoENERGY federal program rules. However and due to the fact that Natural Resources Canada may make occasional changes to its program rules, please refer to NRCan's website at www.ecoaction.gc.ca/homes or call 1 800 O CANADA (1-800-622-6232) or TTY 1-800-926-9105 for the most up-to-date program and grant eligibility information.

ELIGIBILITY

What is an example of a retrofit project that is eligible for Ontario Home Energy Savings Program?

Example 1: Eligible for Grant

You are interested in saving money by improving the energy efficiency of your home.
Since you must have an energy evaluation conducted to qualify for a grant under the Ontario Home Energy Savings Program, you hire the services of a Natural Resources Canada certified energy advisor in your area, who visits your home and conducts a basement-to-attic energy audit/assessment in your home.
Your energy advisor sends you a home energy evaluation report and submits an audit grant application on your behalf. You will receive up to $150 from the Province of Ontario to offset the cost of the pre-retrofit audit.
Based on the evaluation report you received from the advisor, you decide which energy upgrades you want to do and determine that you could receive a grant of up to $6,000 ($3,000 from the Ontario and $3,000 from the federal government). You proceed with your energy retrofits.
Once you have completed the work, you contact your energy advisor to perform a post-retrofit evaluation to confirm your home's new energy rating and to submit another grant application on your behalf. You will then receive one retrofit grant cheque from the Government of Canada, and another matching cheque from the government of Ontario.
You keep your paperwork, including receipts, to claim expenses that could be eligible under the Government of Canada's temporary Home Renovation Tax Credit.

What is an example of a retrofit project that is NOT eligible for Ontario Home Energy Savings Program?

Example 2: Not Eligible for Grant

You have heard there are grants available to improve the energy efficiency of your home.
You decide to replace your windows and a patio door where you think your home is losing heat.
You have them installed learn that you are not eligible for a retrofit grant because a pre-retrofit energy evaluation was not performed before the windows and doors were installed.
However, you are still eligible to claim the Home Renovation Tax Credit. You should keep your paperwork, including receipts, to claim expenses that could be eligible under the Government of Canada's temporary Home Renovation Tax Credit.

What types of properties are eligible for a grant?

The program offers grants to owners of low-rise residential properties defined under Parts 2 and 9 of the National Building Code of Canada. These include single detached and attached homes (e.g. row housing, duplexes and triplexes), small multi-unit residential buildings including some small apartment buildings of three stories or less built on a maximum footprint area of 600 square metres or less; mobile homes on a permanent foundation and floating homes permanently moored also qualify.

I recently built (or am building) a house. Am I eligible for a grant?

No. The program does not apply to new construction because they are already quite efficient. A house is considered new construction up to six months after the builder has transferred the house to the homeowner. When a home is built by the owner, it is considered new up to six months following the certificate of completion by the local inspector.

Do existing homes and multi-unit residential buildings of any age qualify?

There is no restriction as to the age of an existing house or building but those built before 1985 will benefit the most as they have the potential for more significant energy-saving improvements.

Does municipal housing also qualify?

Yes, homes held by municipal social housing agencies are welcome to participate in the Home Energy Audit and Retrofit Programs, as long as they meet the criteria that apply to single family homes. In fact, agencies with multi-unit residential buildings that meet the requirements are eligible for up to $1,000,000 over the life of the retrofit program — $500,000 each from the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada.

I rent a house. Can I participate?

Yes, any rental property that meets the eligibility criteria can participate.

Please note: It is the property owner who is eligible for the rebate. Please speak with your landlord if you wish to participate.

I own rental properties. How much am I eligible for?

Owners of multi-unit low-rise residential buildings are eligible to receive up to $1,000,000 over the life of the retrofit program — $500,000 each from the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada. The maximum grant per dwelling unit is $10,000 ($5,000 from each of the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada).

Is Aboriginal housing eligible under the program?

Yes. First Nation, Band Council and Tribal Council housing is eligible under the program — and according to the same rules that generally apply to the program. The maximum rebate available for one home or per dwelling unit of a multi-unit residential building is $10,000 ($5,000 from each of the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada).

Why is a high-rise residential property excluded from the program?

High-rise buildings are excluded because they work differently and have their energy efficiency assessed differently than low-rise buildings. For example, the heating, cooling and hot water systems are clearly very different in size, complexity and type. High-rises also have common areas and services (such as elevators) and different construction details (such as depressurization zones for fire control).

I live in a condominium town home, can I participate?

Yes, all low-rise condominium properties that meet the eligibility criteria can participate. The low-rise residential property must be covered under Parts 2 and 9 of the National Building Code of Canada, which is a small apartment buildings of three stories or less built on a maximum footprint area of 600 square metres or less. You may find that your condominium corporation imposes some additional requirements, some of which may require you to obtain condominium board authorization before you undertake an audit or retrofit. Other condominium regulations may stipulate who receives payment — you or your condominium corporation. It is highly recommended that you clarify these matters with your condominium corporation before you begin.

Is co-op housing eligible?

Yes.

I am not a Canadian citizen, but I own rental properties in Ontario. Can I participate and receive a rebate?

You do not have to be a Canadian citizen to participate in the program. You must simply own a home that meets the eligibility criteria, and your rebate cheque must be mailed to a location in Canada. Owners of multi-unit residential buildings are eligible for up to $1,000,000 over the life of the retrofit program — $500,000 each from the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada.

If I complete a pre-and post-retrofit audit, am I eligible for both, a provincial and federal rebate for the retrofit work I completed?

Yes. Once you have completed your post-retrofit audit and your energy advisor submits this information to the federal government, you are eligible for both a retrofit rebate from the federal ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes Program and the Ontario Home Energy Savings Program. Once you have received your federal rebate cheque for the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes Program, your file will be automatically transferred to Ontario. Ontario will then process a matching grant cheque.

Can a homeowner apply for the rebate more than once for the same property?

For the audit grant component of the Ontario Home Energy Savings Program: You can only receive the audit grant of up to $150 once for the same property during your time of property ownership. This grant offsets the cost of your pre-retrofit home energy audit.

For the retrofit grant component of the Ontario Home Energy Savings Program:
You have 18 month after the pre-retrofit audit to complete the retrofit work and a post-retrofit audit. You will then receive the retrofit grant of up to $10,000 after the post-retrofit audit. Once you have completed this post-retrofit audit, you can re-enter the program using the post-retrofit audit as a baseline to perform more work within a new 18-month deadline, provided that you do not exceed the maximum grant of $10,000 per dwelling unit. To re-enter the program, you must first contact your energy audit service organization to register for a new 18-month period.

Are multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) assessments available in all regions?

Energy advisors qualified to evaluate multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) are not available in all regions. To find out if there is an energy advisor qualified to evaluate a MURB in your region, go to the Contact an energy advisor page on our website and enter your postal code.

Are grants and incentives available for the construction of energy efficient new homes?

The program does not apply to new construction because they are already quite efficient. You may also want to consider contacting Home Builder's Associations and Utilities for information on local and regional programs and incentives. A house is considered new construction up to six months after the builder has transferred the house to the homeowner. When a home is built by the owner, it is considered new up to six months following the certificate of completion by the local inspector.

When is a recreational property eligible for a retrofit grant?

In order to qualify for a grant, the recreational property must be a fully-serviced four season property, meeting the specific definitions under the National Building Code, parts 2 and 9. The recreational property does not have to be the primary residence of the owner. Recreational properties, such as cottages, cabins, chalets etc, that do not meet these requirements, are not eligible for a retrofit grant.

I own an older mobile home in a trailer park where I rent the land. I have lived in it for several years and I want to know the definition of a fixed foundation to qualify for a grant. It sits on timbers, is skirted and has never been moved.

When the homeowner owns and occupies a mobile home but rents or leases the lot (i.e., mobile home park), the home is eligible for the Ontario Home Energy Savings Program, provided it is on a permanent foundation. A mobile home can be considered permanently fixed if it sits on a foundation of concrete, wood or steel (i.e., a mobile home on wood cribbing with a plywood or vinyl apron would qualify though regional requirements may negate use of aprons); it is structurally complete with entire plumbing, heating and electrical services installed and permanently connected to the appropriate electrical utility service, fuel service, sewer or septic service and water delivery system/service Its towing apparatus and axle must have been removed as per regional requirements.

The mobile home owner must show his or her property tax bill as required for the Ontario Home Energy Savings Program application process.

Does a floating home qualify under this program?

Yes, floating homes can participate in the Ontario Home Energy Savings Program. Floating homes are homes designed and built to local building codes and typically secured to wharfs where utilities and mooring charges are available (similar to mobile home parks). Floating homes are designed to be occupied year round and for grant purposes, must have a property tax roll number in the name of the homeowner. Floating homes are not boats or house boats, have no engines and are similar in nature to homes and cottages depending on their design.

If a former school, church or commercial property is converted into a permanent residential property, is it eligible for a retrofit grant?

No, these types of structures are not eligible for a retrofit grant because they were originally built according to a building code which had different requirements and were intended for non residential use. As such they are not low-rise residential properties as defined under Parts 2 and 9 of the National Building Code of Canada.

AUDIT GRANT COMPONENT

What does a Home Energy Audit consist of?

During your Home Energy Audit, an energy advisor will conduct a room-by-room assessment of your home including your attic, basement and crawlspaces. Your advisor will measure your home and determine how much of it is covered by windows, doors and skylights. They will inspect your insulation as well as your heating, cooling, ventilation and other equipment. Your advisor will also perform a “blower door” air tightness test to detect air leaks. Your audit will be easy and unobtrusive and should only take about 1 and a half to 3 hours, depending on the size and configuration of your house.

What does a Home Energy Audit tell you?

A Home Energy Audit calculates how frequently the air in your house is exchanged. The rate of exchange affects your home's heating requirements. All the information gathered during your audit is entered into a software model that calculates the energy efficiency rating of your home. You'll also find out how much your home's energy efficiency rating can improve if you complete recommended retrofits.

If I got my audit prior to the provincial program announcements, do I still qualify for the rebate?

To qualify for the Home Energy Audit Program, the audit must have been done on or after March 23, 2007.

When can I apply for the audit rebate?

There is no need to apply. The energy advisor performing your audit submits the information on your behalf to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) within 30 days of the audit. NRCan will then transfer the file to Ontario for a provincial audit grant cheque to be issued.

How much do audits cost?

The cost of a pre-retrofit audit typically ranges between $300 and $400. There is also a cost for your post-retrofit audit once you have completed your works. Companies may offer package deals like paying up front for the pre- and post-retrofit audits or other options in order to provide you with a lower price. You should contact several companies and ask about the service they will provide before selecting the company you would like to hire to perform your audit.

I won a free home energy audit service at a contest. Can I still receive the audit grant?

No. You must have paid for the home energy audit to receive the grant.

My realtor offered to pay for my home energy audit as part of the promotion of his service. Can I still receive the audit grant?

No. The audit grant is designed to help homeowners offset the cost of a home energy audit. You must have paid for the home energy audit to receive the audit grant. To be eligible for the audit, you realtor could give you a cash refund equivalent to the cost of audit, and you can then use the cash to pay for the audit directly. Then you will be eligible for the grant.

My realtor offered to pay for my home energy audit as part of the promotion of his service. Will my realtor receive the audit grant?

No. The audit grant is designed to help homeowners offset the cost of a home energy audit. To ensure that the grant benefits the homeowners as intended (and not to third parties), we will only issue grant cheques to owners of property. You realtor could give you a cash refund equivalent to the cost of audit, and you can then use the cash to pay for the audit directly. Then you will be eligible for the grant.

Do I get the rebate for the audit even if I do not retrofit my home?

Yes.

I own a Multi-Unit Residential Building (MURB), do I receive a higher grant amount for the energy audit of my MURB?

No. Your energy advisor will submit one home energy evaluation file for your MURB. Since the audit grant is processed on per-file bases, the maximum amount is $150 regardless of the number of units in the building. Owner of a Multi-Unit Residential Building can get a maximum of $150 audit grant per residential property.

I own several residential properties that are separate from each other, how much energy audit grants can I receive?

The audit grant is processed on per-file bases, the maximum amount per file is $150. Each of your residential is a separate file and your energy advisor will submit an individual file for each of your property. You will get up to $150 for each of the properties that completed a home energy audit.

Do I have to use the same energy audit company for the pre and post-retrofit audit? What happens if the company that performs my first (pre-retrofit) energy assessment no longer offers the service when I am ready for my post-retrofit audit?

In most cases, the same audit company will do both your pre and post-retrofit home audit. If your audit company no longer offers the service when you need to do your second (post-retrofit) audit, you can call another audit company.

Your new energy advisor will need to provide some key information to Natural Resources Canada in order to get your electronic file. That information includes: your file number (located on the top right-hand corner of the first page of your Energy Efficiency Evaluation Report), your name and address as it appeared on your first report and your phone number. Once your new energy advisor has your file, you can schedule your post-retrofit audit.

If the energy advisor is also a retrofit contractor, has Natural Resources Canada also licensed him/her to do retrofit work?

Energy Advisors are licensed by NRCan to do Home Energy Audits. That license does not relate to the retrofit work although some energy advisors also offer renovation services. It is your responsibility to engage a contractor that you feel will perform the work satisfactorily and at an acceptable price.

If I undertake a pre-retrofit audit with a licensed service organization, and I sell my property before I complete the recommended retrofits, is the pre-retrofit audit transferable to the new owner?

The pre-retrofit audit is non-transferable. Should the new owner decide to undertake retrofits, he/she must book another pre-retrofit audit with an energy advisor. The pre-retrofit audit is valid for 18 months, from the date of the Energy Advisors report.

How do I choose an energy advisor?

In a recent survey, the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI) released recommendations to assist homeowners in choosing a certified energy advisor to conduct energy assessments in the home. Here is an excerpt from that survey:

How long will the energy assessment take?

Beware of short visits – a good assessment should take 1.5-2.5 hours.

Is there any obligation to purchase products or services from the service organization?

No, there is no obligation to purchase products or services from the service organization that performs an energy assessment. However, many service organizations have the capacity to provide additional retrofit services, over and above an energy assessment.

Do I have to make any preparations before the energy advisor visits my home?

The energy advisor will need access to every room in the house, in addition to the attic and any crawl spaces that may exist. Please be sure to clear the area around these access points before the energy advisor arrives.

Also ensure that the hatch or door to the attic is not sealed as accessing the attic is an important part of both the first evaluation and the evaluation that is done once retrofits are complete. In addition, please make sure not to use any wood-heating appliances, such as fireplaces or wood stoves, at least 24 hours prior to the evaluation and clean the appliances before the evaluation.

Do I get an energy rating of my house?

Yes. In addition to the personalized action checklist that is used to calculate the grant, the energy advisor provides the homeowner with an EnerGuide rating and label for the house, before and after renovations. Any personal information that owners provide is protected under Ontario's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

RETROFIT

How much do the upgrades covered by the Ontario Home Energy Savings program cost?

It depends on the type of upgrades undertaken. Costs can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

What sorts of renovations are done?

Typical improvements include:

"Weatherizing" a home by installing weather stripping and sealing leaks with caulking.
Replacing the furnace, boiler and air conditioner with new high efficiency models.
Adding insulation to attics and basements.
Replacing old windows with new energy efficient ones.
Installing a domestic solar hot water system.

Are the grants based on how much I spend for upgrades?

No. The grant is based on the individual upgrades completed. A flat incentive amount has been calculated for each qualifying upgrade, and the upgrades that save the most energy have the highest value. The potential grant is calculated by adding the total incentive amounts of the upgrades recommended in the Energy Efficiency Evaluation Report's action checklist that is presented by your energy advisor. This makes it easier for you to decide which renovations you want to carry out from the action checklist and in which order you would like to complete them. The grant is based on the total amounts for those retrofits you have completed.

Is the retrofit rebate taxable?

No.

If I do the retrofit myself, how do I get my rebates??

Even if you do the work yourself, you still need to get the two required energy audits — one before you start and one after your renovations are complete. Both audits must be done by a licensed energy advisor. Your energy advisor will submit the paperwork for the rebates on your behalf.

Remember to keep a copy of the invoices for the materials purchased for the upgrades as you may be asked to submit a copy to Natural Resources Canada. Homeowners are responsible for ensuring that they obtain all necessary permits and meet all municipal and provincial requirements.

What happens if I am not satisfied by the retrofit work completed?

Each homeowner is responsible for ensuring the renovations undertaken are satisfactory prior to undertaking the post-retrofit audit by a Natural Resources Canada licensed energy advisor.

I have heard that professional renovation companies can apply to be licensed, allowing them to deliver my Home Energy Audit as well as provide my renovation services. Is this true?

Yes. Renovators can qualify and obtain a license to provide the energy audit service. They must meet the same stringent requirements as independent service organizations that provide audits. Of course, it is up to you to make the decision about who will perform the home audit and who will be selected to perform your renovations.

I already started my renovations, can I still apply for a rebate?

Unfortunately, any renovations that started prior to obtaining a pre-retrofit energy assessment are not eligible for a rebate. All energy-related renovations that you undertake after doing a pre-retrofit audit are eligible as long as they are listed in the Eligible Improvements/Retrofits table in the Energy Efficiency Evaluation Report that your energy advisor provides.

Can a homeowner apply for the rebate more than once for the same property?

You have 18 months after the pre-retrofit audit to complete the retrofit work and a post-retrofit audit to receive grant to up to $10,000 after the post-retrofit audit. Once you have completed this post-retrofit audit, you can re-enter the program using this second evaluation as a baseline to perform more work within a new 18-month deadline, provided you do not exceed the maximum combined grant of $10,000 per dwelling unit. To re-enter the program, you must first contact your energy audit service organization to register for a new 18-month period.

If I decide to do more upgrades after obtaining a retrofit rebate, can a further rebate be obtained?

Yes. Once you have completed your post-retrofit audit/evaluation, you can re-enter the program using the post-retrofit evaluation as a baseline to perform more work within a new 18-month deadline, provided you do not exceed the maximum grant to $10,000 per dwelling unit. To re-enter the program, you must first contact your energy audit service organization to register for a new 18-month period.

My furnace (or boiler) broke down. Am I still eligible for a grant?

Effective October 15, 2008 until March 30, 2009

Yes, in the case of an emergency furnace replacement (furnace or boiler) during the period noted above, the property owner must call a service organization within three business days of the system replacement to schedule a pre-retrofit assessment, and the assessment must take place within 30 days of the new heating system installation.

In order to qualify for a grant, you must keep sufficient information regarding the older furnace (see eligibility criteria and process below).

Calling a service organization LATER THAN three business days after the heating equipment has been replaced will not be considered for a retrofit grant.

Eligibility criteria

As a rule, property owners are required to have an ecoENERGY pre-retrofit evaluation performed prior to replacing or installing anything, including heating equipment, if they want that upgrade to become eligible towards a grant.

However, NRCan has an Emergency Furnace Replacement policy specifically to assist property owners who are faced with replacing their heating equipment for health and safety reasons:

1. the heating system must have been 'red tagged' or deemed unsafe by the utility, service technician or building inspector; or,
2. the furnace cannot be repaired and must be replaced.

Process for qualifying for a grant

Please read and follow these instructions carefully:

The existing equipment must be replaced with equipment meeting the requirements listed in the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program Eligible Improvements/Retrofit Table.

In addition, new gas-fired furnaces MUST have an efficiency (AFUE) of 94% or better and oil-fired furnaces MUST have an AFUE of 85% or better to qualify under the emergency heating equipment replacement.

A copy of your invoice for the new heating system should include the following information and given to the energy advisor at the time of the pre-retrofit evaluation:

1. Supplier's business name, address and phone number Date of installation
2. Manufacturer's name and model number of heating equipment; and
3. The AFUE of the product or a note indicating that it is ENERGY STAR qualified.
4. The heating contractor must provide you with information about the equipment being removed, and you must give this information to the energy advisor at the time of the pre-retrofit evaluation:

Fuel type (natural gas, propane or oil)
Type of system (forced air, hydronic or radiant)
Type of venting (e.g. chimney, side vent, barometric damper)
Manufacturer's name and model number of heating equipment
Rated efficiency, output, input from the nameplate
Last upgrade, if any (e.g. oil burner gun/assembly)

My air conditioner broke down. Am I eligible for a grant?

In the case of an air conditioner (window or central system) that has broken down, a pre-retrofit evaluation MUST be performed BEFORE replacing it in order to be eligible for a grant under the program

PAYMENTS

How does the grant cheque process work?

Once you have completed your pre-retrofit home energy audit, your energy advisor will complete audit grant application forms, present them to you for your signature and then submit them for processing on your behalf. Your energy advisor will also submit a file in electronic format to Natural Resources Canada within 30 days. NRCan will then transfer the file to Ontario for the province to process the audit grant cheque.

Once you complete your retrofit work within 18 months and finish the post-retrofit audit, your energy advisor will complete the retrofit grant application forms, present them to you for your signature and then submit them for processing on your behalf. Your energy advisor will send another electronic file to Natural Resources Canada within 30 days. NRCan will issue you the federal retrofit grant cheque of up to $5,000 and transfer the file to Ontario. Ontario will then issue you a matching retrofit grant of up to $5,000.

How long does it usually take for an audit or retrofit rebate to be issued?

Once you have completed an audit (pre-retrofit or post-retrofit), your energy advisor sends your application forms to the federal government. How quickly your forms are sent depends on your energy advisor, but energy advisors are supposed to submit your application forms to the federal government within four weeks. Once the federal government has received your application forms, it usually takes two weeks for your information to be sent to the Ontario Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure. In general, once Ontario receives your file, the ministry will process your audit and/or retrofit rebates within three weeks.

Who do I call if I have not received my grant cheque?

For provincial grant cheques, please call the Ontario Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure Call Info Line at 1-888-668-4636. Please provide your name as it appears on the property tax bill, your audit or retrofit file number, the property address, your e-mail address or phone number, and whether you are inquiring about your audit or retrofit grant cheque. The operator will forward this information to the grant cheque processing office to check the status of your grant cheque.

Who do I call if I have not received my grant cheque?

For federal rebates, please call toll-free 1-800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232) or 1-800-926-9105 for the hearing impaired.

OTHER INCENTIVES

Can I claim the Home Renovation Tax Credit and receive an Ontario Home Energy Savings Program grant?

Homeowners participating in the Ontario Home Energy Savings Program and the federal ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program are eligible to receive the temporary Home Renovation Tax Credit for some of the improvements made. For more information on the Home Renovation Tax Credit, please visit the Canada Revenue Agency's website at cra-arc.gc.ca/hrtc or call 1-800-959-8281 (TTY 1-800-665-0354).

If I claim the Home Renovation Tax Credit will I automatically get the Ontario Home Energy Savings Program grant?

No. To qualify for an Ontario Home Energy Savings Program grant, you must first have an energy audit/evaluation performed on your home by a Natural Resources Canada certified energy advisor. This evaluation must be done before starting your energy upgrades, and you must perform the improvements according to the recommendations in the pre-retrofit evaluation report you received from the energy advisor. A post retrofit audit/evaluation must also be done after your upgrades.

For example, replacing your furnace with a 90% AFUE furnace will be eligible for the HRTC but not the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes grant or the Ontario Home Energy Savings Program. Similarly, increasing the insulation in your attic to R-40 will be eligible for the HRTC but not the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes grant or the Ontario Home Energy Savings Program, where a target of reaching 50 percent is required.

Don't be left out, proceed with your energy assessment NOW if you plan on undertaking any energy related improvements.

How can I apply for the retail sales tax (RST) rebate on renewable installations?

The PST rebate on renewable installations is a program of the Provincial Ministry of Finance. Under that rebate program, owners of a residential premise or a multi-unit residential building who purchase and install a new solar, wind, micro hydroelectric or geothermal energy system can file for a rebate. Application forms are available on their website at www.rev.gov.on.ca. Just click on 'Refunds' for more information, or you can call the Retail Sales Tax Refund Hotline at 1-800-615-2757.

Where can I obtain more information about the Ontario Power Authority and federal programs that may provide additional rebates?

You can obtain more information, as follows:

For information on federal retrofit rebates visit the federal government's website at www.ecoaction.gc.ca or call toll-free 1-800-O-Canada (1-800-622-6232) or 1-800-926-9105 for the hearing impaired.
For information on Ontario Power Authority retrofit rebates visit the OPA website at www.powerauthority.on.ca and follow the link to OPA Conservation or call the OPA's Conservation Information Line at 877-797-9473 or toll free at 1-800-797-9604.
For information on Electric or Gas Company incentives, contact your local utilities directly.

Eco Rebate

Eco Insulation

FAQ

What's New?

How much can I get back?

How do I get started?

How much can homeowners expect to save in terms of annual energy use and greenhouse gas emissions?

If I want to sell my home after I have completed my upgrades can I get a certificate from the government to show that my home is energy efficient and that this work has been undertaken?

Will personal information about my home be secure and protected?

Where can I get more information about the Ontario Home Energy Savings Program?

What is an example of a retrofit project that is eligible for Ontario Home Energy Savings Program?

What is an example of a retrofit project that is NOT eligible for Ontario Home Energy Savings Program?

What types of properties are eligible for a grant?

I recently built (or am building) a house. Am I eligible for a grant?

Do existing homes and multi-unit residential buildings of any age qualify?

Does municipal housing also qualify?

I rent a house. Can I participate?

I own rental properties. How much am I eligible for?

Is Aboriginal housing eligible under the program?

Why is a high-rise residential property excluded from the program?

I live in a condominium town home, can I participate?

Is co-op housing eligible?

I am not a Canadian citizen, but I own rental properties in Ontario. Can I participate and receive a rebate?

If I complete a pre-and post-retrofit audit, am I eligible for both, a provincial and federal rebate for the retrofit work I completed?

Can a homeowner apply for the rebate more than once for the same property?

Are multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) assessments available in all regions?

Are grants and incentives available for the construction of energy efficient new homes?

When is a recreational property eligible for a retrofit grant?

I own an older mobile home in a trailer park where I rent the land. I have lived in it for several years and I want to know the definition of a fixed foundation to qualify for a grant. It sits on timbers, is skirted and has never been moved.

Does a floating home qualify under this program?

If a former school, church or commercial property is converted into a permanent residential property, is it eligible for a retrofit grant?

What does a Home Energy Audit consist of?

What does a Home Energy Audit tell you?

If I got my audit prior to the provincial program announcements, do I still qualify for the rebate?

When can I apply for the audit rebate?

How much do audits cost?

I won a free home energy audit service at a contest. Can I still receive the audit grant?

My realtor offered to pay for my home energy audit as part of the promotion of his service. Can I still receive the audit grant?

My realtor offered to pay for my home energy audit as part of the promotion of his service. Will my realtor receive the audit grant?

Do I get the rebate for the audit even if I do not retrofit my home?

I own a Multi-Unit Residential Building (MURB), do I receive a higher grant amount for the energy audit of my MURB?

I own several residential properties that are separate from each other, how much energy audit grants can I receive?

Do I have to use the same energy audit company for the pre and post-retrofit audit? What happens if the company that performs my first (pre-retrofit) energy assessment no longer offers the service when I am ready for my post-retrofit audit?

If the energy advisor is also a retrofit contractor, has Natural Resources Canada also licensed him/her to do retrofit work?

If I undertake a pre-retrofit audit with a licensed service organization, and I sell my property before I complete the recommended retrofits, is the pre-retrofit audit transferable to the new owner?

How do I choose an energy advisor?

How long will the energy assessment take?

Is there any obligation to purchase products or services from the service organization?

Do I have to make any preparations before the energy advisor visits my home?

Do I get an energy rating of my house?

How much do the upgrades covered by the Ontario Home Energy Savings program cost?

What sorts of renovations are done?

Are the grants based on how much I spend for upgrades?

Is the retrofit rebate taxable?

If I do the retrofit myself, how do I get my rebates??

What happens if I am not satisfied by the retrofit work completed?

I have heard that professional renovation companies can apply to be licensed, allowing them to deliver my Home Energy Audit as well as provide my renovation services. Is this true?

I already started my renovations, can I still apply for a rebate?

Can a homeowner apply for the rebate more than once for the same property?

If I decide to do more upgrades after obtaining a retrofit rebate, can a further rebate be obtained?

My furnace (or boiler) broke down. Am I still eligible for a grant?

Process for qualifying for a grant

My air conditioner broke down. Am I eligible for a grant?

How does the grant cheque process work?

How long does it usually take for an audit or retrofit rebate to be issued?

Who do I call if I have not received my grant cheque?

Who do I call if I have not received my grant cheque?

Can I claim the Home Renovation Tax Credit and receive an Ontario Home Energy Savings Program grant?

If I claim the Home Renovation Tax Credit will I automatically get the Ontario Home Energy Savings Program grant?

How can I apply for the retail sales tax (RST) rebate on renewable installations?

Where can I obtain more information about the Ontario Power Authority and federal programs that may provide additional rebates?