This guide explains Ontario’s home renovation savings program in detail, covering eligible upgrades, rebate amounts, eligibility requirements, and the application process. You can use it to plan energy improvements and reduce home energy bills through the home renovation savings program for solar and energy storage.
Ontario’s home renovation savings program explained
Launched on January 28, 2025, and available through 2026, Ontario’s Home Renovation Savings Program provides rebates of up to 30% for qualifying renovations. One online portal consolidates funding details, so property owners can find incentives and apply for eligible upgrades in one place.
How the program supports home energy upgrades
The Ontario government, Save on Energy, and Enbridge Gas deliver the program through a three-way partnership. This arrangement creates one entry point for several home-efficiency funding streams. Homeowners exploring savings with Ontario home solar incentives can also consider solar panels and battery storage.
Eligible measures include insulation, heat pumps, smart thermostats, windows and doors, air sealing, heat pump water heaters, solar panels, and battery storage. Each upgrade has a specific rebate cap based on the measure and the property’s characteristics.
- Solar panels and battery storage. Each may qualify for up to $5,000 through the Load Displacement Program, which supports using on-site solar energy to reduce grid demand during peak periods.
- Heat pump systems. A cold-climate air source heat pump qualifies for up to $7,500. A ground source heat pump can receive up to $12,000, making it one of the highest-value upgrade categories.
- Insulation upgrades. Attic insulation, exterior wall insulation, basement wall insulation, and crawlspace insulation qualify, with combined rebates reaching $7,700 across all insulated zones.
- Windows, doors, and thermostats. ENERGY STAR certified windows and doors receive $100 per rough opening. A smart thermostat earns between $75 and $200, depending on the assessment track.
Homeowners can begin with a single eligible measure through the no-assessment track. The assessment-based track supports larger rebates when upgrades are bundled and adds a $500 bonus after three qualifying improvements.
Who can qualify for a renovation rebate
To qualify, applicants must own the home and generally must have owned it for at least six months. The home renovation savings program that Enbridge Gas co-delivers is also available beyond Enbridge customers, so eligibility for some measures does not depend on your gas utility provider. Eligible properties include detached and semi-detached homes, townhomes, row houses, and mobile homes on permanent foundations. Stacked townhomes are excluded.
Homeowners who heat with electricity, propane, oil, or wood must be connected to Ontario’s electricity grid for most measures. The Greener Homes Grant update offers useful context on changes to federal incentives since March 2024. It can help you determine whether other federal support remains available alongside this provincial program.
Heating source and maximum savings
Your home’s primary heating source determines the maximum rebate available. Natural gas-heated homes can receive up to $5,000 in total rebates, while electrically heated homes can access up to $10,000. The difference reflects the program’s focus on supporting a broader clean energy transition for properties connected to the electrical grid.
Confirm your heating category before applying. This step helps prevent delays and creates realistic expectations for total savings. Research on residential retrofit behaviour, including the EnerGuide for Houses retrofit analysis, identifies government incentives and energy cost savings as two leading influences on homeowner renovation decisions.
| Primary heating source | Maximum rebate available | Grid connection required |
| Natural gas (furnace or boiler) | Up to $5,000 | No (must be a qualifying gas utility customer) |
| Electricity | Up to $10,000 | Yes |
| Propane, oil, or wood | Up to $10,000 | Yes (unless converting to/from natural gas) |
Single upgrades or bundled improvements
The program offers two participation tracks. The no-assessment stream lets homeowners apply for one qualified upgrade without first scheduling a home energy audit. It suits projects such as a smart thermostat, heat pump water heater, or windows and doors.
The assessment-based stream requires an initial evaluation by a registered energy advisor before work begins. That advisor must complete a follow-up within 180 days or by December 31, 2025. At least two qualifying upgrades are required, and the program offers a $600 credit toward audit fees.
Participants who complete three eligible improvements receive an additional $500 rebate on top of individual measure amounts. Bundling work can strengthen energy efficiency and comfort while improving the overall energy-efficient return on investment. Enbridge’s Home Winterproofing Program complements this option for income-qualified households by providing free insulation and draft-proofing.
Frequently asked questions
What energy upgrades are eligible under Ontario’s home renovation savings program?
Ontario’s home renovation savings program covers a broad range of energy upgrades, helping homeowners reduce costs through targeted improvements. Eligible measures include attic insulation, exterior wall and basement insulation, air sealing, heat pump systems, heat pump water heaters, solar panels, battery storage, ENERGY STAR-certified windows and doors, and a smart thermostat. Insulation and heat pumps generally offer some of the highest individual rebates available.
Solar panels and energy storage each qualify for up to $5,000 when the homeowner joins the Load Displacement Program. Eligibility can depend on the selected assessment track and whether a home energy audit has been completed.
How does Ontario’s home renovation savings program differ from net metering?
The program’s solar and battery storage rebates are tied to the Load Displacement Program. This approach prioritizes using solar-generated energy on-site to reduce demand on the grid. Net metering works differently: surplus solar electricity is exported to the grid in exchange for bill credits.
Property owners who join the Load Displacement Program qualify for the $5,000 solar and $5,000 storage incentives. Those who remain on net metering do not receive these new financial benefits. Both options remain available in Ontario, but only the Load Displacement route unlocks this program’s renovation savings for solar and energy storage.
Does Ontario offer free renovation upgrades for lower-income households?
Yes. Income-qualified homeowners may be eligible for free home energy upgrades through two complementary streams. The Home Winterproofing Program, co-delivered with Enbridge, provides free insulation and draft-proofing for eligible gas-heated homes. The Energy Affordability Program (EAP) offers no-cost, energy-saving upgrades tailored to the needs of electrically heated households.
Qualification depends on household income thresholds, which range from approximately $48,220 to $127,576 before taxes, depending on household size, as well as participation in a government assistance program.
