Home Improvement Incentives & Rebates in Toronto
Grants, rebates, forgivable loans, and tax credits from three levels of government — most Toronto homeowners qualify for several and don't know it.
Municipal Programs
The City of Toronto runs some of the most accessible and least-publicized home improvement programs available. These are funded and administered locally — applications go directly through the City, not a federal or provincial portal — which often means faster turnaround and fewer hoops to jump through.
One of the most widely applicable City programs. Covers installation of a backwater valve (up to $1,250), sump pump with battery backup (up to $1,750), downspout disconnection (up to $400 for first downspout, $100 each additional), and window well covers ($50 each, up to $200). No income testing — available to all Toronto homeowners.
Work must be done by a licensed plumber and permits are required for the backwater valve and sump pump. The City reimburses after inspection and approval.
A Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program. You borrow money from the City for energy efficiency upgrades and repay it over 5–20 years as a charge on your property tax bill. The rate is competitive, and because repayment is tied to the property rather than the borrower, it can transfer to a future owner when you sell.
Eligible upgrades include insulation, air sealing, heat pumps, windows and doors, solar panels, EV charging, and more. Available to all Toronto homeowners regardless of income.
Toronto's flagship deep energy retrofit program, launched in 2022. Connects homeowners with rebates, low-interest financing, and a concierge service that helps navigate the process end-to-end. The program is designed for comprehensive upgrades — think insulation, heat pumps, windows, and air sealing done together — rather than single measures.
A home energy audit is required as the starting point. The program then identifies which upgrades are recommended and what incentives you qualify for. It's also designed to stack with provincial and federal programs on the same project.
Available to residential, commercial, and institutional properties in Toronto. Green roofs — covered with plants and growing medium — receive $100 per square metre, up to a maximum of $100,000. Cool roofs, which use highly reflective materials to reduce heat absorption, receive $2–$5 per square metre depending on the surface type.
Both types reduce stormwater runoff, lower energy costs, and extend roof lifespan. The program requires pre-approval before installation and a post-installation inspection. Contact City of Toronto Environment & Climate Division to apply.
A forgivable loan program for low-to-moderate income homeowners and landlords. Funds can be used for emergency health and safety repairs, accessibility modifications (ramps, grab bars, stair lifts, widened doorways), and essential maintenance. If you remain in your home for the required period after receiving funds, the loan is fully forgiven — you don't repay it.
Eligibility is based on household income relative to the City's affordability thresholds. Administered by the City's Shelter, Support and Housing Administration division. Applications open in cycles — check the City's website for current intake windows.
The City of Toronto supports water conservation through incentives for rainwater harvesting systems and stormwater management improvements. Eligible installations include rain barrels, cisterns, and permeable paving that reduces stormwater runoff into the City's sewer system. Some programs have offered rebates on purchase and installation costs.
This program is especially relevant for homeowners with larger lots, gardens, or flat roofs where rainwater collection is practical. It complements the Eco-Roof program for properties looking to address stormwater holistically. Check the City of Toronto's Environmental Grants & Incentives page for current intake and available amounts, as this program is periodically updated.
Provincial Programs
Ontario's energy rebate landscape was significantly upgraded in 2025 with the launch of the Home Renovation Savings Program — a consolidated, high-value program replacing the patchwork of utility-delivered rebates that preceded it. This is now the primary entry point for most Ontario homeowners seeking energy upgrade incentives. Income-based renovation assistance programs remain separate and continue independently.
Ontario's flagship home energy rebate program, launched in 2025 and expanded in 2026. This is now the single most important program for Toronto homeowners making energy upgrades — and the one to register for first. It covers the widest range of improvements of any provincial program, with no income testing required.
Eligible upgrades and rebate amounts include: Cold-climate heat pumps (up to $12,000), insulation — attic, walls, basement (up to $7,700 combined), rooftop solar panels (up to $5,000), home battery storage (up to $5,000), ENERGY STAR windows and doors (~$100 per rough opening), ENERGY STAR appliances (up to $200 per appliance), smart thermostats, and air sealing.
A home energy audit by a NRCan-registered energy advisor is required before starting work. The audit cost is partially rebated. Rebates are paid after the upgrade is completed and verified by a post-retrofit assessment. Designed explicitly to stack with Toronto HELP financing and applicable federal programs on the same project.
HER+ was co-funded by Enbridge Gas and the Province of Ontario and offered rebates up to $10,000 for insulation, heat pumps, windows, doors, and air sealing for natural gas customers. As of 2025/2026, this program has closed to new applicants and has been largely superseded by the Home Renovation Savings Program above.
If you applied to HER+ before it closed, your application may still be processing — contact Enbridge directly for status. New applicants should register for the Home Renovation Savings Program instead.
Administered by Ontario's Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) and delivered through local electricity distributors (Toronto Hydro for most Toronto residents). The Home Assistance Program provides free energy-efficient upgrades — LED lighting, smart thermostats, insulation, draft-proofing, ENERGY STAR appliances — to low-income households.
For non-low-income homeowners, Save on Energy also offers rebates through business and commercial streams, and periodic residential rebate windows for smart thermostats and other measures. Check Toronto Hydro's website for current available rebates for your account type.
A provincially administered, CMHC-co-funded program providing forgivable loans to low-income homeowners for critical repairs, accessibility modifications, and energy efficiency improvements. In Toronto, this program is often delivered in tandem with the Toronto Renovates Program — homeowners may access both simultaneously if they qualify under each program's criteria.
Eligible work includes structural repairs, roof replacement, plumbing and electrical upgrades, accessibility modifications, and insulation. The loan is forgivable after a specified residency period (typically 10–20 years depending on the amount). Apply through the City of Toronto's housing programs office.
Ontario and Toronto Hydro have periodically offered rebates for the installation of Level 2 EV chargers at home. Rebates cover the cost of the charger unit and installation by a licensed electrician. Eligibility and amounts vary by program intake — Toronto Hydro's residential rebate program has historically provided $500–$1,000 toward installation costs.
Check the current status directly with Toronto Hydro, as these programs open and close with available funding. Some federal programs (below) also offer overlapping rebates for EV infrastructure.
Federal Programs
Federal programs include both direct financial support (loans and rebates) and tax credits you claim on your annual return. The tax credits in particular — the Home Accessibility Tax Credit and the Multi-Generational Home Renovation Tax Credit — are underused by Toronto homeowners who qualify but don't know these credits exist.
A non-refundable federal tax credit for seniors (65+) and persons with disabilities — or anyone making renovations to a home where a qualifying individual lives. Covers a wide range of modifications: wheelchair ramps, stair lifts and elevators, grab bars and handrails, wider doorways, accessible bathrooms, non-slip flooring, and more.
Up to $20,000 in eligible expenses per year qualifies, generating up to $3,000 in tax savings. The credit is claimed on your personal income tax return (Schedule 12). Multiple qualifying family members living in the same home can each claim separately in some circumstances — consult your accountant.
Introduced in 2023, this refundable tax credit helps families add a secondary suite to accommodate a senior (65+) or adult with a disability. Unlike most renovation tax credits, it's refundable — meaning you can receive the money back even if your tax owing is zero.
The secondary suite must be a self-contained unit with its own kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area. Eligible expenses include construction, renovations, permits, and certain professional fees. This credit stacks exceptionally well with the CMHC Secondary Suite Loan (below) for families building in-law suites or basement apartments for family members.
Launched in 2024 by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, this loan program provides low-interest financing for homeowners adding a secondary suite — basement apartment, garden suite, coach house, or in-law suite. The goal is to increase Canada's rental housing supply by making it financially accessible to build secondary units.
Available to owner-occupants of the property. The suite must be self-contained and intended for long-term rental (not short-term/Airbnb). When combined with the Multi-Generational Home Renovation Tax Credit, a Toronto homeowner building a basement apartment for a senior parent could receive up to $7,500 in tax credits plus access to a $40,000 low-rate loan.
For homeowners currently heating with oil, propane, or electric resistance — switching to an air-source or ground-source heat pump qualifies for a federal rebate of up to $10,000. Low-income households can receive up to $15,000. This program is separate from (and can stack with) provincial rebates for the same upgrade.
While fewer Toronto homes rely on oil heating than rural Ontario properties, this program is worth checking if your home has oil or propane. A heat pump installation that qualifies under this program can also generate Enbridge HER+ rebates (for homes on gas) and Better Homes TO financing in the same project.
If you undertake a "substantial renovation" — defined by CRA as renovating 90% or more of the interior of an existing home — you may be eligible to claim back a portion of the GST/HST paid on construction costs. This applies to major gut-and-rebuild renovation projects, not incremental upgrades.
The rebate applies to the tax paid on labour and materials. The exact rebate amount depends on the home's fair market value after renovation. This is a complex claim best handled with a tax professional, but it can represent tens of thousands of dollars for large-scale renovations in the Toronto market.
When fully active, the Canada Greener Homes Loan offered interest-free financing of up to $40,000 for qualified energy efficiency retrofits — insulation, heat pumps, windows, doors, and more. The program was administered through NRCan and required a pre- and post-retrofit home energy evaluation.
As of 2024, the program's status and intake were subject to federal funding reviews. Visit nrcan.gc.ca to confirm whether the loan or any successor program is currently accepting applications before planning around it. Federal energy retrofit financing is expected to continue in some form given Canada's climate commitments.
Stack Your Programs — Most Projects Qualify for Several
The biggest mistake Toronto homeowners make is applying to one program when they qualify for three. Most of the programs above are designed to be layered — a single project can pull from city, provincial, and federal incentives simultaneously, dramatically reducing your out-of-pocket cost.
Here's how a typical Toronto homeowner adding insulation and a heat pump might stack programs:
| Program | Level | Max Benefit | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy | City of Toronto | $3,400 | Rebate (no income test) |
| Better Homes TO | City of Toronto | $10,000 | Rebate + financing |
| Toronto Home Energy Loan (HELP) | City of Toronto | $125,000 | Low-rate loan |
| Home Renovation Savings Program | Ontario | $12,000+ (heat pumps) · $7,700 (insulation) · $10,000 (solar+battery) | Rebate (no income test) |
| Save on Energy Home Assistance | Ontario / IESO | $5,000 | Free upgrades (income-tested) |
| Canada Greener Homes Loan | Federal | $40,000 | Interest-free loan* |
| Oil to Heat Pump Program | Federal | $10,000–$15,000 | Rebate (oil/propane homes) |
| Home Accessibility Tax Credit | Federal | $3,000/yr | Non-refundable tax credit |
| Multi-Gen. Home Renovation Credit | Federal | $7,500 | Refundable tax credit |
| CMHC Secondary Suite Loan | Federal | $40,000 | 2% fixed loan |
The steps to maximizing what you receive aren't complicated, but order matters — some programs require steps to be completed before work begins:
The Single Best First Step
If you're planning any energy-related improvement — insulation, a heat pump, new windows, air sealing — book a home energy audit before you do anything else. A NRCan-registered energy advisor will assess your home, identify where energy is being lost, and produce a report that is the required prerequisite for the majority of programs listed in this guide.
The audit costs $400–$600, takes 2–3 hours, and unlocks access to Better Homes TO, Enbridge HER+, the Canada Greener Homes programs, and others. Most programs rebate the audit cost as part of the incentive — so the net cost to you is often zero.
For accessibility upgrades (ramps, lifts, grab bars), the process is simpler — no audit required. Keep your receipts and claim the Home Accessibility Tax Credit when you file. If the person living in the home is a senior or has a disability, that credit alone can save $3,000 per year on eligible expenses.
For flooding protection, the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy is the most straightforward program in this guide — get quotes from licensed plumbers, apply through the City, do the work, and claim your rebate. It applies to virtually every Toronto homeowner with a basement.
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