Many Ontario homeowners leave money on the table because they do not know about available grants and rebates before starting renovations. While programs change frequently, a focused effort during the planning phase can recover thousands of dollars in costs.
Canada Greener Homes Initiative
The federal Canada Greener Homes Grant program funded energy efficiency upgrades with grants up to $5,000 and interest-free loans up to $40,000. As of 2025, this program has been replaced by the Canada Greener Homes Affordability program, which targets lower and median income households. Eligibility criteria changed significantly — confirm current availability at the Natural Resources Canada website before planning around this program.
Enbridge Gas Home Efficiency Rebate Plus
Enbridge Gas offers the Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) program for Ontario homeowners. Rebates are available for insulation upgrades, smart thermostats, heat pump installations, and high-efficiency water heaters. Rebate amounts vary but can reach $10,000 for qualifying upgrades. An EnerGuide pre- and post-upgrade audit is typically required.
- Attic insulation: up to $3,200
- Exterior wall insulation: up to $4,800
- Air source heat pump: up to $4,000
- Smart thermostat: $75 – $150
Toronto Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)
The City of Toronto's HELP program provides low-interest financing for energy efficiency upgrades, including insulation, windows, solar, and HVAC. Repayment is tied to the property tax bill rather than the homeowner, which makes it attractive for larger upgrades. Check current availability through the City of Toronto's website, as program capacity is limited each year.
Ontario Renovates Program
The Ontario Renovates program provides forgivable loans for home repairs to eligible low-income homeowners and homeowners with disabilities. Funding is administered through local Service Managers (municipalities). Contact your local municipality or housing office to confirm availability and eligibility.
Accessibility Renovation Grants
The Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC) is a federal tax credit of up to $3,000 (15% of $20,000 eligible expenses) for accessibility renovations. Eligible work includes wheelchair ramps, grab bars, stair lifts, widened doorways, and accessible bathroom modifications. This applies to the construction year's tax filing.
Multi-Generational Home Renovation Tax Credit
As of 2023, the federal government introduced a 15% refundable tax credit on up to $50,000 of renovation costs to create a secondary suite within your home for a family member who is a senior or an adult with a disability. This is worth up to $7,500 and applies to basement suites, accessory apartments, and secondary units added to existing homes.
Grants for Laneway and Garden Suites
Toronto has waived development charges for laneway and garden suites that meet affordability criteria. Some municipalities in the GTA offer planning fee reductions or pre-approved drawings programs to reduce the soft costs of secondary suite construction.
How to Maximize Available Funding
- Book an EnerGuide audit before starting energy upgrades — it unlocks rebate eligibility
- Check program availability before finalizing renovation scope, as programs open and close
- Apply for tax credits in the year the renovation is completed
- Ask your contractor to document scope in a way that clearly maps to rebate categories
"Rebates are real, but the rules change every year. Plan your renovation scope around confirmed programs, not rumoured ones."
- EZU Construction Team
EZU Construction helps clients identify applicable rebates during the planning phase. Contact us to book a consultation and we will walk through available programs for your project.
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