Canada Greener Homes Grant: Is There Any Money Left? (2026 Update)

The landscape of home energy incentives in Canada has shifted dramatically as we enter 2026. For years, the Canada Greener Homes Grant was the flagship program for homeowners looking to slash their utility bills. However, as of December 31, 2025, the original grant program has officially closed its doors to existing participants, and the $40,000 interest-free loan portal was shuttered in late 2025.

If you missed the boat on the original federal grant, don't panic. While the "Greener Homes" brand has retired its main grant, a new generation of more targeted, province-specific programs has launched for 2026. These new initiatives, like Ontario’s Home Renovation Savings Program and the federal Affordability Program (CGHAP), actually offer higher rebates for specific upgrades than the original grant ever did.

As a cornerstone of our Ultimate Savings Guide, this deep dive identifies exactly where the money is left in 2026, which provinces have the biggest "Top-Ups," and the strategies to get your attic insulated for free without a $600 energy audit.

1. The 2026 "Post-Grant" Reality Check

Before you start booking contractors, you need to know which federal doors are closed and which ones have just opened.

2. Ontario: The Home Renovation Savings Program (Up to $21,000)

In Ontario, Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy have stepped in to fill the vacuum left by the federal grant. Their new partnership has been officially extended through November 2026.

• The Heat Pump Heavyweight: You can now receive up to $12,000 for a ground-source heat pump or $7,500 for an air-source heat pump. This is significantly higher than the old $5,000 federal limit.
• The Insulation Stack: Combined rebates for wall, basement, and attic insulation can reach $7,700.
• Solar Power: In a surprise 2026 move, the program now offers up to $10,000 for solar panels and battery storage—a category that was previously much harder to fund.

3. British Columbia: CleanBC Better Homes

BC remains the most aggressive province for energy savings. Their CleanBC Better Homes Energy Savings Program has been revamped for 2026 to focus on "Income-Qualified" households.

• The Max Rebate: Up to $16,000 for switching from fossil fuel (gas/oil) to a high-efficiency heat pump.
• The "Zero Out-of-Pocket" Model: For lower-income families, the contractor now applies for the rebate directly. The rebate is deducted from your invoice, meaning you only pay the "net" amount—often $0 for insulation or ventilation upgrades.

"Energy Hacking" (700+ Words)

1. The "Standalone Attic Hack" (Ontario Only)

One of the most searched but least understood 2026 updates is the "Standalone Ontario attic insulation rebate."

• The Street Angle: Most programs require a $600 energy audit (EnerGuide evaluation) before you do any work.
• The Hack: Under the 2026 Home Renovation Savings program, there is a "Standalone" stream. You can get $1,250 for attic insulation without a pre-work energy audit.
• The Strategy: If your attic is under-insulated (common in older Toronto or Ottawa homes), you can hire a participating contractor, get the work done, and get your $1,250 back instantly. It is the fastest "Zero-Barrier" rebate in the province.

2. The "No-Cost" Federal Affordability Program (CGHAP)

For low-to-median income households, the federal government launched the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (CGHAP).

• The Street Angle: This is not a "Rebate" program; it is a "Direct Install" program.
• The Hack: You don't pay for the heat pump and wait for a check. If you qualify, the government sends a team to your house, they install the insulation and heat pump, and they pay the bill 100%.

Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program income limits 2026 — If your household income is under the median (approx. $68,000 for a family of two), you should stop looking for "Grants" and apply for this "No-Cost" install immediately.

3. The CMHC Eco Plus "Mortgage Refund"

If you bought a home recently and missed the Greener Homes Loan, you have a "Secret Door" through your mortgage.

• The Strategy: The CMHC Eco Plus program.
• The Hack: If your home meets certain energy efficiency standards (or if you use your own cash to make it 20% more efficient), CMHC will refund 25% of your mortgage insurance premium.
• The Payoff: For a standard $500,000 home, this is a **$3,000 to $4,500 cash refund** directly to you. Most homeowners never claim this because they think it's only for "New Builds." It's not.

4. The Rent-to-Own Heat Pump Warning

In 2026, door-to-door scammers are impersonating the "Greener Homes" program to sell high-interest Rent-to-Own Heat Pumps.

A legitimate government rebate never requires you to sign a 10-year rental contract.

• The Strategy: If a contractor says the "government will pay the monthly rental fee," they are lying. The government only pays for owned equipment. Use the Home Renovation Savings portal to verify the contractor before signing anything.

5. Switching from Oil? The $15,000 "Fast Track"

If you are one of the few households still heating with oil, you are the government’s #1 priority in 2026.

• The Hack: The Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) program.
• The Value: You can get up to $15,000 upfront (as a check before the work starts) plus a $250 bonus.

Because this program is so targeted, the "Processing Time" is much faster than the general provincial rebates. You can often go from application to "Check in Hand" in less than 3 weeks.

5. 2026 Energy Savings Cheat Sheet

Canada Greener Homes Grant 2026

Is the Canada Greener Homes Grant still available in 2026? No, the original federal grant and loan are closed. However, Ontario homeowners can now access up to $21,000 through the Home Renovation Savings Program, and BC residents can get up to $16,000 via CleanBC. For low-to-median income Canadians, the new Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (CGHAP) provides no-cost direct installs of heat pumps and insulation, covering 100% of the costs upfront.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do I still need an EnerGuide evaluation?

A: For most big "Bundled" rebates in Ontario and BC, yes. You need a pre- and post-retrofit audit. However, Ontario now offers a $600 rebate to cover the cost of these audits, making them effectively free if you complete the upgrades.

Q: Can I get rebates if I am a tenant?

A: The federal Affordability Program (CGHAP) is open to tenants, provided they have the landlord’s written consent. This is a massive shift for 2026, allowing renters to lower their hydro bills through no-cost insulation.

Q: What is a "Cold Climate" Heat Pump?

A: To qualify for the $7,500+ rebates, your heat pump must be rated for "Cold Climates" (usually down to -25°C). Standard AC units with heat strips do not qualify.

About the Author

Jeff Calixte (MC Yow-Z) is a Canadian labour market researcher and digital entrepreneur specializing in government benefit data and cost-of-living support. As the founder of CanadaPaymentDates.ca and BetterPayJobs.ca, Jeff helps newcomers, students, and workers navigate the Canadian social safety net—from tracking CRA payment schedules to finding entry-level work.

Sources

1. Natural Resources Canada: Canada Greener Homes Initiative - 2026 Program Status
2. Save on Energy: Home Renovation Savings Program - Ontario Update
3. CleanBC: Better Homes Income-Qualified Program Guide
4. CMHC: Eco Plus - Mortgage Loan Insurance Premium Refund

Note

Official 2026 payment dates and benefit amounts are determined by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and provincial governments. While we strive to keep this information current, government policies and schedules are subject to change without notice. All data in this guide is verified against official CRA circulars at the time of publication and should be treated as an estimate. We recommend confirming the status of your personal file directly via CRA My Account or by calling the CRA benefit line at 1-800-387-1193.