Which grants are there for renovating your home?

What federal subsidies are available?

No matter where in Canada you live, your project might qualify for the Canada Greener Homes Grant, a federal program to promote energy efficiency. The program was launched in spring 2021 and will remain in place until 2028, providing more than 700,000 households with grants of up to $5,000. 

You must use the money to make your home greener and lower your electricity bills and other costs. How? You could upgrade your insulation, replace your doors and windows, or even install solar panels. In certain provinces, such as Quebec, the grant must be combined with a provincial program.

There are a number of steps to take. First, have your home evaluated by an EnerGuide energy advisor. You’ll receive a report that can guide your renovation decisions. Once the work has been done, your home will be assessed again to verify that its energy efficiency has improved. You’ll be eligible for up to $600 to cover the cost of the two evaluations as well as $5,000 for the actual renovations.

Various options are available. Terms and conditions apply. See the government of Canada website to learn more.

What provincial grants and subsidies are out there? 

In addition to federal programs, take some time to check out what’s available in your province. There could be money just waiting for you to claim it. Here’s an overview of the main home renovation grants by province.

Home renovation grants in Alberta

In certain municipalities you can apply for a loan at a competitive interest rate through the Alberta Municipal Services Corporation Clean Energy Improvement Program for green renovations. 

Loans have long repayment terms of up to 25 years depending on your agreement and are repaid through your property tax bill. Eligible expenses include replacing your heating system, upgrading insulation, and adding solar panels.

See the list of programs offered in Alberta on the Natural Resources Canada website.

Home renovation grants in British Columbia

There are more than 70 energy programs in British Columbia, but most apply to businesses. That said, there are a few programs for homeowners.

Certain energy providers such as BC Hydro offer rebates if you replace your doors and windows with eligible products, upgrade your home’s insulation, or buy a more energy-efficient water heater. 

See the list of programs available in British Columbia on the Natural Resources Canada website.

Home renovation grants in Manitoba

Efficiency Manitoba, a Crown corporation, has a number of programs to help homeowners with energy-saving renovations. Eligible projects include insulation upgrades, heat recovery ventilators, and energy-efficient swimming pool pumps. There are also rebates for replacing home appliances with Energy Star–certified models.

Manitoba Hydro offers financing of up to $5,000 for certain home improvement projects and up to $20,000 for installing a geothermal or solar heating system.

See the list of programs in Manitoba on the Natural Resources Canada website.

Home renovation grants in New Brunswick

NB Power’s Total Home Energy Savings Program offers homeowners rebates and incentives for a range of home improvement or renovation projects. You might get paid to install energy-saving items such as doors and windows or a heat recovery ventilator, or to upgrade your insulation or heating system.

To qualify, you must first have an energy advisor come to your home for an evaluation and to identify where you can make improvements.

Low-income individuals and seniors and people with disabilities can apply for help through the government of New Brunswick’s Homeowner Repair Program. The funds must be used for upgrades that make it easier for people to live independently in the their own home and come in the form of a loan ranging from $10,000 to $20,000, a portion of which may be forgivable.

See the list of programs in New Brunswick on the Natural Resources Canada website.

Home renovation grants in Newfoundland and Labrador

Low-income residents can apply for a grant of up to $5,000 from Newfoundland Labrador Housing for projects that make their home more energy efficient.

In addition, all residents can apply to the Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro takeCHARGE program for incentives to help with projects such as upgrading their insulation or installing a heat recovery ventilator. Homeowners can also save when they upgrade to a next-generation thermostat. 

See the list of programs in Newfoundland and Labrador on the Natural Resources Canada website.

Home renovation grants in Northwest Territories

If you live in the Northwest Territories, you can apply for a cash rebate on all sorts of products that will help lower your energy consumption at home. Eligible products include appliances, lighting, and heating systems. You can also apply for a grant of up to $8,000 in certain cases for renovation projects aimed at boosting your home’s energy performance (insulation, windows, heating systems).

See the list of programs in the Northwest Territories on the Natural Resources Canada website.

Home renovation grants in Nova Scotia

Eligible homeowners in Nova Scotia can receive discounts on high-efficiency heating equipment or have energy-saving appliances installed at no cost.

To qualify for the program, the first step is a home evaluation by an energy advisor, who will recommend improvements.

Low-interest loans from $10,000 to $20,000 are available in nine Nova Scotia municipalities to help homeowners who renovate to achieve energy savings.

See the list of programs in Nova Scotia on the Natural Resources Canada website.

Home renovation grants in Nunavut

The Nunavut Housing Corporation helps homeowners by offering forgivable loans of up to $65,000, depending on income, for renovations. Eligible expenses include materials, shipping, and labour.

For more information about the Home Renovation Program, see the Nunavut Housing Corporation website.

Home renovation grants in Ontario

In Ontario, seniors, low-income households, and people with disabilities who need to make essential home improvements can apply for funding through the Ontario Renovates program, administered locally by individual municipalities. Eligibility criteria and terms and condition vary. See your municipality’s website for information that applies to you.

People with disabilities are also eligible for up to $15,000 through the Ontario government’s Home and Vehicle Modification Program, on condition that they have exhausted all other sources of funding.

Homeowners planning to make their property more energy efficient can apply for incentives through Ontario’s Green Investment Fund, which supports the Save on Energy program. Participants qualify for energy-saving kits, among other things. 

If you live in Toronto and are planning renovations that will make your home more energy efficient, you can also apply for a low-interest loan of up to $75,000 with a repayment term of up to 20 years through the city’s Home Energy Loan Program.

Private companies also offer incentives for renovation projects that will reduce your home’s energy consumption, such as replacement doors and windows and insulation upgrades. Find out what’s available where you live.

See the list of programs in Ontario on the Natural Resources Canada website.

Home renovation grants in Prince Edward Island

If you own a home here, you could be eligible for rebates on high-efficiency heating equipment. Rebates are also available to homeowners who upgrade their insulation. After a home energy evaluation is performed. What’s more, there are incentives for the purchase and installation of solar panels and low-interest loans for renovations that will make your home more energy efficient.

See the list of programs in Prince Edward Island on the Natural Resources Canada website.

Home renovation grants in Quebec

• Rénoclimat

The Quebec government’s Rénoclimat program offers incentives for upgrading your insulation, making your home more airtight, replacing doors and windows, or installing new equipment (water heater, heat pump, geothermal system, etc.). The amount of financial assistance you could receive varies from under $100 to several thousand dollars, depending on the project. 

See the Quebec Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources website.

In Quebec, the Rénoclimat program is the only way to access the Canada Greener Homes Grant.

• Chauffez vert

The Chauffez vert program offers incentives for replacing an oil or propane heating system with a system powered by renewable energy such as electricity. Homeowners can qualify for several hundred dollars in funding, depending on the new system being installed. 

See the Quebec Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources website.

• Rénorégion

If you live in a rural area, you could qualify for funding through a program that encourages homeowners to fix major defects with their property, such as a structural, plumbing, or insulation issue. You could receive up to $12,000 but you must live in one of the eligible districts to qualify. 

See the Société d’habitation du Québec website (in French only).

• Éconologis

With this program, low-income families can qualify for a free home assessment and practical advice from an energy advisor. Families can also have simple energy-saving devices such as electronic thermostats installed with no out-of-pocket costs.

See the Quebec Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources website.

• Incentives from private companies

Certain private energy providers offer customers incentives for home improvement projects such as replacing a heating system, water heater, or air exchanger or installing programmable electronic thermostats. Contact your provider to learn more.

• Partial tax refund

The Quebec government offers partial refunds of the provincial (QST) and federal (GST) sales tax you pay on construction materials, services, and other costs for substantial renovations. Under the program, a substantial renovation is defined as a project where 90% or more of the building is removed or replaced. The amount of the refund cannot exceed $6,300 for QST and $9,975 for GST. Terms and conditions apply, including special rules pertaining to the market value of your house and land. 

See the Revenu Québec website.

• Help for people with disabilities

Société d’habitation du Québec’s home modification program helps people with disabilities renovate their home. Grants of up to $8,000 or more depending on need are available to help people live independently in their own home. 

See the Société d’habitation du Québec website (in French only).

• Homes with pyrrhotite damage

If your home has pyrrhotite damage, you can qualify for funding to help with renovations. 

See the Société d’habitation du Québec website (in French only).

See the list of programs in Quebec on the Natural Resources Canada website.

Home renovation grants in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan only offers incentive programs for businesses. Keep an eye out for new programs that could also apply to homeowners. 

See the list of programs in Saskatchewan on the Natural Resources Canada website.

Home renovation grants in Yukon

The Yukon government has a generous lineup of programs to help residents with home improvement projects. For example, homeowners can apply for up to $10,000 to replace insulation in the walls, foundation, or attic. They can also qualify for discounts of up to $800 on high-efficiency heating systems. There are other incentives for things like replacement windows, heat recovery ventilators, and next-generation appliances.

See the list of programs in Yukon on the Natural Resources Canada website.

Help is available

Renovations can be stressful for families. It takes careful planning well before the work starts to avoid unpleasant surprises. When drawing up your renovation budget, remember to factor in all the ways you can save money. Did you know you might also be eligible for tax credits?