Ontario's New Flagship Efficiency Program
Launched on January 28, 2025, the Ontario Home Renovation Savings Program represents the province's most significant investment in residential energy efficiency in years. Delivered through Save on Energy (for electricity customers) and Enbridge Gas (for natural gas customers), this program offers substantial rebates for a wide range of home improvements.
Program Structure and Rebate Amounts
The program offers rebates across multiple upgrade categories. Some are single upgrades that need no energy assessment (heat pumps, solar and battery storage, attic insulation, smart thermostats, appliances); the bundled path (insulation, windows and doors, air sealing, heat pump water heaters) requires an energy assessment and at least two upgrades:
Energy Assessment: Up to $600 A professional home energy assessment identifies your biggest opportunities for savings and qualifies you for upgrade rebates.
Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump: Up to $7,500 For qualifying air-source heat pumps that meet cold climate performance standards.
Ground Source Heat Pump: Up to $12,000 For qualifying ground source (geothermal) heat pumps; the amount is set by installed capacity and your home's primary heating source.
Heat Pump Water Heater: Up to $500 For switching from conventional electric or gas water heaters to heat pump models.
Insulation Upgrades: Up to $7,700 Covers attic, wall, and basement insulation based on square footage and R-value improvements, on the bundled path (energy assessment required, two or more upgrades).
Attic Insulation (single upgrade): Up to $1,250 Standalone attic insulation with no energy assessment required (up to $750 for cathedral ceiling or flat roof insulation).
Air Sealing: Up to $250 Professional air sealing to reduce drafts and heat loss.
Windows and Doors: $100 per rough opening For ENERGY STAR certified windows and doors.
Smart Thermostat: $125 For qualifying programmable smart thermostats.
Solar Panels: Up to $5,000 For new rooftop solar installations.
Battery Storage: Up to $5,000 For battery storage bundled with a new solar installation.
Appliances: Up to $200 For eligible energy-efficient appliances.
How to Participate
Step 1: Get an Energy Assessment The program strongly encourages (and in some cases requires) a professional assessment first. This:
- Identifies your home's specific needs
- Prioritizes upgrades by impact
- Ensures you qualify for relevant rebates
Step 2: Choose a Registered Contractor Work with contractors enrolled in the program to ensure your upgrades qualify and paperwork is handled correctly.
Step 3: Complete Upgrades Install qualifying equipment and improvements.
Step 4: Submit Documentation Your contractor typically handles rebate submissions. You'll need to provide proof of home ownership and energy account information.
Step 5: Receive Rebate Rebates are typically issued within 4-8 weeks of approval.
Eligibility Requirements
Property Types:
- Single-family homes
- Townhouses
- Semi-detached homes
- Duplexes (owner-occupied)
Customer Requirements:
- Must be an Enbridge Gas customer or electricity customer of a participating utility
- Must own the property
- Property must be in Ontario
Rental Properties: Landlords may be eligible for some upgrades; check program specifics.
Combining with Other Incentives
The Ontario program is designed to complement other available incentives:
Federal Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program: If you're switching from oil heating, you may qualify for federal grants of $10,000-$25,000 in addition to provincial rebates.
Manufacturer Rebates: Heat pump manufacturers often offer seasonal rebates that stack with program incentives.
Utility Rebates: Some local distribution companies offer additional rebates beyond the provincial program.
Municipal Programs: Some municipalities offer low-interest financing through Local Improvement Charges (LIC) that can be combined with rebates.
Program Tips and Strategy
Prioritize High-Impact Upgrades: The assessment will identify your best opportunities. Generally, air sealing and insulation should precede heating system upgrades - a well-insulated home needs a smaller (less expensive) heat pump.
Consider the Heat Pump First: At up to $12,000 for a ground source system and up to $7,500 for a cold-climate air-source system, the heat pump rebates are the largest single incentives in the program. If you're replacing aging heating equipment anyway, this is an ideal time.
Bundle Window Upgrades: While $100 per window sounds modest, homes with many windows can accumulate significant rebates. Combine with insulation work for a comprehensive envelope upgrade.
Act Early: Annual rebate allocations can be exhausted before program years end. Don't assume funding will be available indefinitely.
Program Updates
The categories once flagged as future expansion are now live: appliances, solar panels, and battery storage have joined the offer list as single upgrades that need no energy assessment (amounts above, checked against the official program site in October 2026). Amounts can depend on how your home is heated, so confirm the current rules with Save on Energy or Enbridge Gas before you buy.
This program represents a significant opportunity for Ontario homeowners to upgrade their homes with substantial financial support. Whether you're focused on reducing energy bills, improving comfort, or reducing environmental impact, the Home Renovation Savings Program makes these goals more accessible than ever.