As environmental concerns and climate change grows, many Canadian homeowners are looking into greener options. From adopting an environmentally friendly lifestyle to going green with their renovation materials, it’s clear that Canadians are looking for ways to become more sustainable. Taking this into consideration, the Canadian government launched the Canada Greener Homes Grant in early 2021 to help aid ways to go green at home.
What Is the Canada Greener Homes Grant?
Image Courtesy of Canada Greener Homes Grant
This grant focuses on helping homeowners make their homes more energy-efficient, create new jobs across Canada for energy advisors, grow domestic green supply chains, and fight climate change. The federal government is working on building a diverse network of energy advisors to provide career opportunities to all Canadians and to meet the needs of their communities including those living in remote and northern communities and those with limited internet access.
With this initiative, the federal government will be providing up to 700,000 grants of up to $5,600 to help homeowners make energy efficient retrofits to their homes like adding solar panels and new insulation. Homeowners are eligible for up to $600 total for the cost of pre- and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluations and up to $5,000 total for the implementation of eligible retrofits.
What Is the Process of Getting the Grant?
The Canada Greener Homes Grant has a simple 5 step process:
Step 1: Learn about the grant
Before filling out an application and looking for documents, learn all about the grant process including requirements, eligibility criteria, timelines and deadlines.
Step 2: Register and book your pre-retrofit evaluation
The registration and application process differs for each province. Make sure you read the checklist and mandatory pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation process for your province to avoid getting your application rejected.
Step 3: Plan, document and complete your home retrofits
After you receive your EnerGuide evaluation in the Greener Homes program from your energy advisor, you can review the recommendations and decide which retrofits work best for your budget and renovation plans. Here, a local green energy renovation specialist will help you with the planning and budgeting process.
Step 4: Book your post-retrofit evaluation and apply for reimbursement
After you have successfully completed your home retrofits, you can start the reimbursement process with the help of your contractor. You will need to book your post-retrofit evaluation and submit the required documents online or by mail.
Step 5: Receive your reimbursement
You will receive an email asking you to confirm your grant total. Once you confirm your grant total online, you will receive your cheque in the mail.
Who Is Eligible to Receive This Grant?
- The applicant has to be a Canadian citizen and homeowner*
- The applicant will have to provide proof of property ownership, using their property tax bill number*
- The applicant will also be required to demonstrate that the property is their primary residence, through a government-issued ID along with the address or a utility bill*
- Only one homeowner per residence can register for the grants*
- Indigenous governments or organizations, housing management bodies and other representative or Indigenous service delivery organizations with formal partnerships with Indigenous governments or organizations are also eligible for the grant*
- Eligible property types: single and semi-detached houses, row housing, townhomes/houses, all-season cottages, mobile homes on a permanent foundation, permanently-moored floating homes, mixed-use buildings (residential portion only), small multi-unit residential building (three storeys or less with a footprint of 600m2 or less)*
*Please refer to the official Canada Greener Homes Grant website for more information on eligibility criteria
Which Retrofit Projects Are Eligible for the Grant?
| Eligible Retrofits* | Ineligible Retrofits* |
Home insulation – up to $5,000
|
Retrofits that were done before a pre-retrofit evaluation |
| Air-sealing – up to $1,000 | Retrofits that were done before December 1, 2020 |
| Windows and doors – each window/door is eligible for either $125 or $250 | Leased or rented equipment |
| Thermostats – up to $50 (must be combined with another retrofit) | Furnaces (unless you live in a northern or off-grid community) |
Space and water heating – up to $5,000
|
Air conditioners |
| Renewable energy – up to $5,000 | Tankless or gas storage water heaters |
| Resiliency measures – up to $1000 (must be combined with another energy efficiency retrofit) | Skylights |
| Boilers (unless you live in a northern or off-grid community) | |
| Roofs |
*Please refer to the official Canada Greener Homes Grant website for more information on eligible and ineligible retrofits
The process to get the Canada Greener Homes Grant may seem complicated but once you start on the greener journey, it will all come together. Taking advantage of this grant comes with many benefits. The eligible retrofits will help you reduce drafts and noise, control the temperature of your home, provide cleaner indoor air, and help lower your energy consumption and utility bills. But most importantly, it will help our greater fight against climate change. Energy efficiency makes homes more resilient and helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. So make the most of this Greener Grant for a better future for your family and nation.
