Welcome to the season of smart renovations and sustainable savings. Whether you're planning a full-scale remodel or a series of smaller upgrades, Ontario’s new funding opportunities make it a great time to transform your living space.
In January 2025, the Government of Ontario announced new and expanded energy efficiency programs as part of a 12-year, $10.9 billion investment, the largest ever dedicated to energy efficiency in the province! These initiatives are designed to help you save money while making your home more comfortable and reducing your energy costs. In fact, by 2036, these programs are expected to lower Ontario’s peak demand by 3,000 MW, an impact equivalent to taking three million homes off the grid.
For residential customers, the centrepiece of this initiative is the Home Renovations Saving Program. This program empowers residents to make energy-efficient home upgrades by offering a rebate of up to 30 per cent for a variety of home improvements. Eligible upgrades include installing new windows and doors, upgrading insulation and air sealing, and adding modern systems like heat pumps, solar panels, battery storage, and smart thermostats. For some of these improvements, a professional home energy assessment is required, and to help offset that cost, the program even provides a $600 rebate on the assessment. Visit the Home Renovations Saving Program website to learn more.
In addition to the Home Renovation Savings Program, there are several other continued programs and incentives available to support residential customers improve the energy-efficiency of their home:
- CoolSaver Program: This initiative helps homeowners and tenants optimize their cooling systems. It offers free tune-ups for central air conditioners or heat pumps and provides instant discounts on central air conditioner replacements to reduce energy consumption during the hottest days. Learn more here.
- Energy Affordability Program: Designed with income eligibility in mind, this program offers energy-saving upgrades at no cost. Depending on your situation and current equipment, you might qualify for Comprehensive Support, which could include LED light bulbs, energy-efficient refrigerators or freezers, and even air source heat pumps or an Energy Saving Kit. Learn more here.
- Better Homes Ottawa Program: For larger-scale energy improvements, the Better Homes Ottawa Program offers low-interest, 20-year loans of up to $125,000 or 10 per cent of your home’s current assessed value, whichever is less. This financing option can be used for a variety of upgrades, such as thermal envelope improvements, updated mechanical systems, renewable energy installations, EV charger installations (Level 2), or even adding rental suites (up to 30 per cent of the loan value). Learn more here.
- Peak Perks: Provides a financial incentive for residential customers who are willing to conserve energy and reduce air conditioning at peak times and have an eligible smart thermostat connected to a central air conditioning system or heat pump unit. Participants receive $75 for enrolling, as well as $20 for each year they remain enrolled in the program. As part of the January 2025 new investment, this program has been expanded to include small businesses. Learn more here.
Each of these programs is designed to support your journey toward a more energy-efficient and sustainable home.
With financial incentives in place, what's next?
Now that available funding is making energy-efficient upgrades more accessible, it’s time to take a closer look at some of the smart technologies you can bring into your home.
- Solar panels: Solar panels harness the power of the sun to generate clean, renewable electricity for your home. By installing solar panels, you can reduce your reliance on grid power and lower your overall energy bills. Learn more about solar panels.
- Electric vehicle chargers: As electric vehicles become increasingly popular, having a dedicated EV charger at home is a forward-thinking investment. An EV charger simplifies the process of powering your vehicle, ensuring that your car is always ready to go while efficiently managing your home’s energy use. Learn more about EVs.
- Heat pumps: Are a highly efficient alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems. They work by transferring heat rather than generating it, offering a more cost-effective way to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature year-round. This technology can significantly reduce energy consumption, making it an ideal addition to your home upgrades. More details on heat pumps can be found here.
- Battery storage: These systems capture and store excess energy, particularly from renewable sources like solar panels, for later use. This technology enhances your home’s energy resilience and maximizes the benefits of renewable power, ensuring that you have a reliable source of energy even during peak demand periods. Learn more about battery storage and distributed energy resources.