The Canada Greener Homes Loan Has Closed. What Are Ontario Homeowners' Options Now?

For several years, Ontario homeowners planning a heat pump, insulation job or window replacement could lean on two federal supports: the Canada Greener Homes Grant and the interest-free Canada Greener Homes Loan of up to $40,000. The grant closed to new applicants in early 2024. The loan followed, closing to new applications in fall 2025.

If you were counting on that loan, your project is not necessarily dead. But the funding picture is different, and the order in which you do things matters more than it used to.

What closed and what did not

Both federal programs are closed to new applicants. If you already have a Greener Homes Loan, the terms in your agreement still apply; contact the program directly with questions about repayment or deadlines. Check Natural Resources Canada (opens in a new tab) for current status information.

One federal program remains relevant for some households: the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (CGHAP), aimed at low-to-median income households and delivered through provincial partners. Availability in Ontario is limited and varies, so confirm with NRCan before planning around it.

The main Ontario option: Home Renovation Savings

The Home Renovation Savings Program (HRS), jointly delivered by Save on Energy and Enbridge Gas since January 2025, is now the main rebate route for most Ontario homeowners. Figures as published in mid-2026 include:

Upgrade	Rebate (as published mid-2026)
Cold-climate air-source heat pump, gas-heated home	$500/ton, up to $2,000
Cold-climate air-source heat pump, other primary heat	$1,250/ton, up to $7,500
Standalone attic insulation	Up to $1,250
Smart thermostat	$100
Qualifying ENERGY STAR appliances	Up to $200
Assessment stream (two or more upgrades)	Combined ceiling $5,000 (gas-heated) / $10,000 (non-gas-heated)

Heat pumps require a participating contractor, qualified equipment and pre-installation approval before any work starts. The assessment stream has firm 2026 deadlines, covered in our post on HRS 2026 deadlines. Always confirm current amounts on saveonenergy.ca (opens in a new tab) before you commit, because programs change.

Income-qualified routes

If your household income is below program thresholds, or you receive certain social assistance, you may qualify for considerably more:

• Energy Affordability Program (EAP) from Save on Energy: free upgrades such as insulation, appliances and smart thermostats.
• Enbridge Home Winterproofing Program: free insulation, air sealing and thermostats for income-eligible Enbridge customers.
• Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) in Ontario: up to $25,000 plus $250 upfront for income-qualified households switching from oil. See our post on the Ontario oil-to-heat-pump program.

Our rebate finder can help you narrow down which programs fit your situation.

Financing without the federal loan

The interest-free loan made larger projects feel easy. Now you are more likely to be comparing:

• Savings or a home equity line of credit. Usually the lowest-cost borrowing for homeowners with equity, but it is still secured against your home.
• Contractor or manufacturer financing. Sometimes promotional rates; read the full annual percentage rate, fees and what happens after the promotional period.
• Municipal programs. Some Ontario municipalities have offered home energy loans repaid through property taxes. Check with your city or town directly.

Caution: Be wary of rental or lease-to-own offers for furnaces, heat pumps and water heaters, particularly from door-to-door sellers. Ontario restricts unsolicited door-to-door contracts for this equipment. Read our guide to door-to-door energy scams and confirm your rights on ontario.ca (opens in a new tab).

Rethinking the order of upgrades

With less free money available, the sequence of your upgrades has a bigger effect on value:

1. Start with the envelope. Attic insulation and air sealing are relatively inexpensive, are rebated and reduce the size of heating equipment you need later. Many older Ontario homes have only R-12 to R-20 in the attic against a retrofit target of R-50 to R-60.
2. Replace heating and cooling at end of life. A heat pump makes the most financial sense when your air conditioner or furnace is near replacement anyway. Replacing working, efficient equipment just to collect a rebate rarely pays off.
3. Add solar or storage last, once your loads are known. A heat pump changes your electricity use significantly.

If a project no longer works financially without the federal loan, it may be worth doing in phases rather than abandoning it. A smaller, well-chosen step this year still lowers your bills.