The Canada Greener Homes Initiative is a Canadian government program that provides grants and a loan for home evaluations and for retrofits. The program was designed to help Canadians make their homes more energy efficient.
The Canada Greener Homes Initiative aims to help homeowners save money by reducing their energy costs while creating new jobs across Canada for energy advisors and fighting climate change.
With the Canada Greener Homes Grant, you could get up to $5,000 for retrofits and a contribution to the total costs of the pre-and post-retrofit evaluations up to $600.
This article will enlighten you on what the Canada Greener Homes Grant entails, who qualifies, how much you can receive, and how to apply for the program.
Continue reading to learn more.
What is the Canada Greener Homes Grants Program?
The Canada Greener Homes Grant is a program administered by the federal government to help reduce the cost of upgrading homes in Canada. The program aims at creating additional job opportunities for energy advisors while fighting climate change and expanding the green supply chains in the country.
You can receive up to $5,600 tax-free payment under the Canada Greener Homes Grants program for the costs of energy-efficient renovations, expert advice and EnerGuide home evaluations and for retrofits.
Offered through Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the program aims to provide 700,000 grants to eligible Canadians within the scope of 7 years.
How Does the Canada Greener Homes Grant Work?
The Canadian Greener Homes Grant aims to reduce the cost of upgrading homes in Canada so as to improve insulation. The grants cover the costs of energy-efficient renovations, expert advice and EnerGuide home evaluations.
So for the cost of pre and post-renovation EnerGuide evaluations, eligible homeowners can receive up to $600.
The pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation seeks to identify where home inefficiency exists and how to make it more energy-efficient. Once the EnerGuide pre-retrofit evaluation is done, you will be notified about the type of retrofit that will be reliable at increasing your home’s efficiency.
After the evaluation, you can begin your retrofitting process, applying the retrofit recommended in the pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation.
Subsequently, you will arrange your post-retrofit evaluation to determine the improvement in emissions and the cost of your retrofits.
Also, the Canada Greener Homes Grant program aims at increasing recruitment, training and jobs for energy advisors for the whole country. However, special attention will be given to underrepresented people and underserviced areas.
How Much Can You Receive From The Canada Greener Homes Grant?
The Canada Greener Homes Grant covers the costs of energy-efficient renovations, expert advice and EnerGuide home evaluations. The program offers:
- Grants from $125 to $5,000 to get a part of your total costs for eligible home retrofits.
- Up to $600 as a maximum contribution towards the total costs of your pre-and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluations.
Overall, you can receive up to $5,600 for your home upgrade under the Canada Greener Homes Grant program.
Who is Eligible for the Green Homes Grant?
Once you’re a homeowner, regardless of your location, you can participate in the Canada Greener Homes Grants program. But to qualify for the program, you must:
- Submit evidence of homeownership using your property tax bill number
- Prove that the home is your primary residence using your government-issued ID or driver’s license.
However, only one person per home is allowed to register. If the property tax bill number isn’t available, alternative documents may be accepted.
In addition, the following groups are also qualified to register for the grant:
- Land claim organisations, band councils or other indigenous governments or organisations
- Indigenous service delivery organisations or housing management bodies with formal partnerships with Indigenous organisations or governments.
However, these groups can register multiple houses, including those not their primary residence. But the applicant must own the registered home which indigenous households must occupy.
What Property Types are Eligible for the Canada Greener Homes Grant?
Not all property types are eligible for the Canada Greener Homes Grant. This means your property must be eligible to receive the grant. The following are types of property eligible for the grant:
- Single and semi-detached houses
- Townhomes
- Row housing
- Permanent foundation mobile homes
- All-season cottages
- Residential mixed-use buildings
- Permanently-moored floating homes
- Low-rise multi-unit residential building
Note: The small multi-unit residential property must not be above three storeys with more than 600m2 footprint. Read more requirements for this type of property.
Also, new homes with less than six months of occupancy by the initial homeowner are not qualified for the Canada Greener Homes Grant program.
What are the Eligible Retrofits for Greener Homes Grant?
Like property type, not all home retrofits are eligible for reimbursement. Below is a highlight of the eligible retrofits and the maximum amounts.
Retrofit For Maximum Amount Home Insulation Upgrading eligible crawl space insulation, attic/ceiling insulation, basement insulation, exterior wall insulation, foundation or exposed floor. $5,000 Replacement Windows and doors $5,000 Home Air-Sealing $1,000 Heat Pumps Reducing your carbon footprint and your utility bill. $5,000 Photovoltaic Solar Panels Converting sunlight energy into electricity by installing photovoltaic solar panels $5,000 Smart Thermostats Reducing your energy bill with a smart thermostat. $50 Resiliency Measures Protecting your home against environmental damages $2,625
Replacing your windows and glass doors using ENERGY STAR® products
Improving your home air-tightness
Note: It is mandatory to purchase all products in Canada.
How Do I Apply for a Canada Greener Grant?
Applying for the Canada Greener Homes program takes just four steps. These are:
Step 1: Register
To apply, ensure you understand how the grant works and meet all the eligibility criteria. Then select a service organisation to conduct the EnerGuide evaluation and submit your application via the Canada Greener Homes Grant portal.
To start your registration, you should have the following::
- Name
- Phone number
- Address of your primary residence
- Type of house
- Evidence of residence using your government-issued ID or driver’s license
- Evidence of homeownership using your property tax bill number
However, if you’re a resident of Quebec, you should apply through the Rénoclimat Quebec. But if you’re a resident of Nova Scotia, you should apply through the Home Energy Assessment Nova Scotia.
Furthermore, New Brunswick, Rossland (BC), Nelson and Regional District of Central Kootenay (BC) residents are to apply via their provincial and municipal programs.
Step 2: Book Your Pre-Retrofit EnerGuide Evaluation
- Go to the Government of Canada website for the Canada Greener Home Initiative.
- Click on ‘Start your retrofit”.
- On the next page, scroll down, and click on “Register and book your retrofit”.
- Next, you will see a green call-to-action button with “Apply or login to the Greener Homes Program”, and click on the button to continue.
- You will see two options “Sign-In Partner” and “GCKey”. Use any one of the options that are convenient for you.
- If you have online banking, click on “Sign-In Partner” and log in with your online banking details.
- Enter your online banking details.
- Read through the terms and conditions displayed on the next page and click “Accept and Continue”.
- Next, you will be required to enter your First name, Last name, Email address, Phone number, and Mobile, and click on “Register”.
- Next, a mail will be sent to your email address to verify your Email address. Once you confirm your email, you will be redirected to the Canada Greener Home Grant website.
- Click on New Application on the next page and continue with your application.
- A series of questions and checkboxes will be displayed on the next page. Answer them as it relates to your situation to complete your application.
However, if you don’t have online banking, you can log in with your GCKey.
- Using the GCKey, you will enter a username and password and answer some security questions to log in, then click “Sign Up” on the right.
- Carefully read through the terms and conditions displayed on the next page.
- Create your preferred username using the Username Checklist on the right, and click “Continue”.
- Then, create a password using the Password Checklist on the right, and click “Continue”.
Step 3: Upload all Documents Online
The next is to upload the following documents to verify your eligible retrofits and be appropriately reimbursed:
- Pre and post-retrofit receipts for EnerGuide evaluations.
- Invoices and receipts for all products purchased, plus installation expenses
If applicable for your retrofit, you may be required to provide an attestation form to prove the following:
- Complete installation of any mechanical or electrical equipment by a trained and licensed professional.
- CSA-based installation of geothermal systems.
- Sizing of the heat pump to your entire home.
The before and after photos are to be uploaded by your energy advisor. However, you must store all your document copies until March 31, 2028.
Step 4: Receive Your Reimbursement
Finally, you’ll be notified to confirm your grant total through the portal once your profile has been reviewed and recommended a grant amount.
However, if you’re not okay with the total amount and explanation, your application will be reassessed once you provide a convincing reason.
Note: First come, first served is the procedure for processing applications.
Related: RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan
Final Thoughts on the Greener Home Gant
With the Canada Greener Home Grant, you can easily reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change by improving your home’s energy efficiency.
By retrofitting your home, you can contribute to achieving Canada’s 2030 climate change target as well as its 2050 target for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
So what are you waiting for? Initiate your application today to be among the lucky Canadians to benefit from the Canada Greener Homes Grants program.
However, if you need additional help in claiming your greener home grant, don’t hesitate to contact me or drop your concerns in the comment section.
Hi, I'm Adeola Adegoke. I am a licensed Insurance Broker in Manitoba, and I hold a master’s degree in Mathematical Sciences (with a major in Financial Modeling) from the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Tanzania.
Also, I have a second master's degree in Statistics from the University of Regina, and I am currently pursuing my Ph.D. in Statistics at the University of Manitoba.
The primary purpose of Money Reverie is to help everyday Canadians make better financial decisions by providing up-to-date financial news and information, reports, product reviews, and government programs.
I had new triple pane windows and all new exterior doors installed in October/November 2020. Do I qualify for the greener home grant? Thank you!
Hi REO,
Thank you for your email.
Yes, you’d be eligible for the Canada Greener Homes Grant if:
NB: Please do not forget to maintain the ENERGY STAR labels on your windows and doors until after your post-retrofit evaluation.
Kindly go to https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy-efficiency/homes/canada-greener-homes-grant/start-your-energy-efficient-retrofits/plan-document-and-complete-your-home-retrofits/eligible-grants-for-my-home-retrofit/23504#s3 for more information on all eligible equipment