The Canada Greener Homes Loan offers interest-free financing to help Canadians make their homes more energy efficient and comfortable.
The loan can help you finance eligible retrofits that are recommended by an energy advisor and that have not yet been started.
IMPORTANT: You should not start any retrofit work before your loan application has been submitted. Any retrofits started before submitting your loan application are ineligible.
Maximum: $40,000 Minimum: $5,000 Repayment term: 10 years, interest-free Loan type: Unsecured personal loan on approved credit
The maximum eligible loan amount is calculated based on the retrofits selected in the application and the quotes for this work. The eligible amount is capped based on industry standards and market norms. The maximum eligible loan amount may be less than your quoted cost, in which case you will be responsible for funding any difference.
A maximum of one loan is available per eligible property and homeowner.
The loan can only help you finance eligible products and installations that are part of a retrofit that is both recommended by an energy advisor and eligible for the grant.
To begin work in your home, a portion of the loan can be delivered to you up front. Contractors often require a down payment for these types of projects. The balance of the loan will be delivered upon successful completion of the retrofits and verification through a post-retrofit evaluation.
Eligibility
All loan applicants
There are a few eligibility requirements to meet before applying for the loan:
You must be eligible for and apply for the Canada Greener Homes Grant or the equivalent provincial program
You must be a Canadian homeowner, and your home must be your primary residence
You have completed a pre-retrofit evaluation of your home dated April 1, 2020, or later
You will be asked to share financial information to demonstrate that you have the financial capacity to repay the loan.
The Canada Greener Homes Loan is now open to homeowners who wish to apply or have an active application (at the pre-retrofit stage) with the Canada Greener Homes Grant.
Starting August 31, 2022, homeowners who have already requested a post-retrofit evaluation or received a grant payment will be eligible to apply to the Canada Greener Homes Loan for any remaining eligible retrofits they wish to pursue, but have not yet started.
Homeowners who have completed all their retrofits are not eligible to apply for the Canada Greener Homes Loan. However, homeowners may be eligible to apply to the loan for any remaining recommended retrofits that have not yet started.
How to apply to the loan for any remaining recommended retrofits that have not yet started
To apply for the loan you will require a new Pre-Retrofit EnerGuide evaluation detailing any recommended retrofits that you have not started.
Please login to your profile on the Canada Greener Homes Grant portal and follow the steps to request a new Pre-Retrofit EnerGuide Evaluation for your home.
For homeowners in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec, please follow the guidelines of your provincial program to request your new Pre-Retrofit EnerGuide evaluation.
To maintain your eligibility for the Greener Homes Loan, please do not start any recommended retrofits for which you wish to obtain loan funding under the initiative.
After you have applied to the Greener Homes Loan and have completed your additional retrofits, a new Post-Retrofit EnerGuide evaluation will be required to validate the completion of your work, prior to funding. Please follow the guidance in the Greener Homes Grant portal or provincial program for steps on how to request your Post-Retrofit EnerGuide evaluation.
Please note that a new pre and post evaluation comes at an additional cost, which must be covered by the applicant.
This loan does not apply to the following work:
work that you’ve already started or completed
retrofits that haven’t been recommended by an energy advisor
retrofits that are not eligible for a Canada Greener Homes Grant
retrofits that aren’t included in your application
Low-rise multi-unit residential buildings
Individual homeowners living in a low-rise multi-unit residential building (MURB) must meet the additional eligibility criteria for MURBs outlined in the Canada Greener Homes Grant.
You must own the home(s) or have a formal partnership to represent the owners, but the homes do not need to be the owner’s primary residence
Your home must be occupied by an Indigenous household
You must select at least one eligible retrofit for each property subject to the loan
Applying as an Indigenous government or organization?
Find dedicated support for your application by contacting: 1-866-292-9517
Northern and off-grid communities
Canadians living in northern and off-grid communities face specific challenges when it comes to completing home retrofits, including higher equipment and labour costs. To help with this, all retrofit amounts have been adjusted to provide an additional 30% for northern and off-grid communities.
Additionally, homeowners living in northern and off-grid communities are eligible for replacements of existing fossil-fuel burning equipment. Further, homeowners living in a northern community are eligible for additional insulation measures (attic, ceiling, and exposed floor insulation).
Ensuring your application is complete and accurate will improve processing time and allow you to start your retrofits sooner.
You cannot start any work until your loan application has been submitted. Any retrofits started before submitting your application are ineligible.
We recommend that you do not start any work before your loan application has been approved. If you choose to begin your retrofits before your loan application is approved, you are responsible for all costs if your application is declined.
Submitting an application with incomplete and/or inaccurate information will cause delays. Do not submit your loan application with missing documents or incomplete information.
Your loan application must include all retrofits that you plan to complete. Retrofits that are not included in your loan application cannot be added later.
If you include retrofits in your application that you later decide not to complete, these will be subtracted from your loan before final funding. The adjusted loan amount must be at least $5,000 to remain eligible.
Make sure that the quotes from contractors are clear and show the cost of the eligible energy efficient retrofits.
The maximum eligible loan amount is calculated based on the retrofits selected in the application and the quotes for this work. The eligible amount is capped based on industry standards and market norms. The maximum eligible loan amount may be less than your quoted cost, in which case, you will be responsible for funding the difference.
Upfront costs
Once approved, up to 15%* of the loan can be delivered up front if a deposit is required by your contractor. The initial advance is only available for retrofits that require a deposit. The balance of the loan will be delivered once the retrofits have been completed and verified through a post-retrofit evaluation.
You can request the initial advance during your application by uploading the quotes from contractors and entering the deposit amounts required to do the retrofit.
*The initial advance is increased to 25% if your property is located in the North or off-grid.
How to apply
1. Apply to the Canada Greener Homes Grant
In order to apply for the loan, you must first apply and be eligible for the Canada Greener Homes Grant.
Like improving the energy efficiency of your home and its resilience against climate change.
But the journey ahead is long,
And renovations can be stressful,
And how can you really know whether your retrofits will have long-term benefits and savings for your home?
That’s where we come in.
Participating in the Canada Greener Homes Grant process guarantees home energy savings.
While the Canada Greener Homes Loan helps to make your efforts even more rewarding.
Your journey begins by applying online …
Where you’ll need to select a service organization near you.
These companies have been certified by Natural Resources Canada to conduct EnerGuide evaluations.
They’ll connect you with an Energy Advisor to do a Pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation of your home.
The costs of these evaluations vary across Canada, so we suggest doing some research before booking.
Once the energy advisor arrives, they’ll confirm your eligibility and then run a series of tests.
Following the evaluation, you’ll get a homeowner information sheet and an EnerGuide label, with the current energy efficiency rating of your home.
You’ll also get a renovation upgrade report, so you can see which retrofits will improve your home’s energy efficiency and resilience.
Armed with this new information, you can be confident that your retrofits will make a difference.
Next you’ll need to decide which retrofits work best for your budget and renovation plans.
Keep in mind:
Only retrofits from the energy advisor’s report are eligible for a grant.
Any purchases you make need to be from a Canadian distributor and from our website’s list of eligible products.
And certain installations need to be done by a professional.
If you’re not sure where to start, our website can show you the maximum grant amount available for each of the retrofits in your plan.
And now that you’re considering which retrofits to complete, you might also wonder: “Do I need a loan?” so you can complete even more of the retrofits from your energy advisor’s report.
If you’re eligible, you can get an interest-free loan up to $40,000, that’s repayable over 10 years.
If you choose to go down this path, you’ll need to submit an application online.
Start by reviewing your energy advisor’s report and decide which retrofits need a loan.
Then, get at least one quote from a licensed professional for each retrofit you’d like to include in the application.
Finally, you’ll need to answer some questions online about your ability to repay the loan.
Keep in mind, you won’t be able to get the full loan amount until after you’ve completed all the work.
So you might want to consider asking for an advance.
To do so, you’ll need to add the total of your contractors’ deposits.
Remember to double check your information before you submit your application. You won’t be able to go back and add new retrofits later.
Now, you’re ready to start completing your retrofits!
Make sure to save copies of all your ‘paid in full’ receipts and invoices along the way.
If you’re getting a loan, you have 12 months to complete all the retrofits in your plan and request your final loan payment.
If you’re not getting a loan, you have up until March 2027 to complete your retrofits and submit your receipts.
Now it’s time for the most exciting part of all
(In our opinion anyway) …
To find out how much energy you’ve saved as the result of all your hard work and investment!
To do this, you’ll need to schedule a Post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation, where an energy advisor will run another series of tests.
You’ll need to pay again, just like you did like last time, so remember to keep the receipt.
Your energy advisor will help you understand how much you’ve improved your home’s energy use, and give you an updated EnerGuide label with a summary of your improvements
Finally, your journey is almost over! And the last few steps are all done online.
Once your documents are uploaded, you can request your grant payment and your loan funding.
Your total grant could be anywhere from $125 to $5000, it all depends on the retrofits you completed.
And don’t forget you can get up to $600 back for your two EnerGuide evaluations!
Well done! Your grant money is on the way and you’ll receive an e-transfer for the loan.
Now all that’s left is to sit back and enjoy the comfort of your greener home and the peace of mind in knowing that you’re saving money and energy.
2. Get a pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation
A service organization will reach out to schedule a pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation of your home with an energy advisor. They will evaluate your home and make recommendations on how to make it more energy-efficient and resistant to climate change.
3. Plan your retrofits and get quotes from contractors
Review the report’s recommendations and decide which retrofits work best for your budget and renovation plans. Speak with contractors and get at least 1 to 3 quotes for each of the retrofits in your plan.
You can’t ask for a bigger loan if you decide to do more retrofits later, so it’s important to plan your work in advance before applying for the loan.
4. Submit an application to the loan
Log in to your Canada Greener Homes account, and click the button to access the loan portal. To submit your application, you will have to upload documentation to the loan portal, such as:
your property tax statement
your driver’s licence or other government-issued ID, together with a utility bill
a confirmation of income and employment (for example, a job letter or a T4 slip)
your quotes from contractors
Based on your application, the program will calculate the maximum loan amount you are approved for. To activate your loan offer, you will be asked to carefully review the information and accept the loan agreement.
In order to apply for the loan, you must first be eligible for and apply for the Canada Greener Homes Grant.
Residents of all provinces except Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec apply for the loan through the Canada Greener Homes portal
Residents of Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec apply for the loan only after receiving your pre-retrofit evaluation.
Please note: a portion of the loan can be delivered to you up front in order to pay applicable down payments to contractors. The balance of the loan will be delivered once the retrofits have been successfully completed and verified through a post-retrofit evaluation.
Upfront costs
You can access a portion* of your loan funds in advance to pay for upfront costs, such as paying a deposit to your contractor. You can request the advance on your loan during your application by demonstrating that an upfront payment is required. You can do that by uploading the quotes you received from contractors and by entering the deposit amounts required to do the retrofit.
* Up to a maximum of 15% of the eligible cost of retrofits requiring an upfront payment. This amount is increased to 25% if your property is located in the North or off grid.
5. Complete your retrofits and keep receipts and invoices
Start your work, and make sure to keep copies of all your receipts and invoices along the way.
6. Get a post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation
Once the retrofits are complete, contact your service organization to request a post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation. An energy advisor will evaluate the impact of your improvements and provide you with an updated EnerGuide label and a new report that estimates how much you can receive for your grants.
7. Receive your loan amount
The energy advisor will update the information related to your final evaluation in the Canada Greener Homes portal, including the estimates of your final grant amount. You will also have to upload all your final invoices and receipts to the Canada Greener Homes portal, and receipts for the retrofits to the loan portal. The loan amount will be reviewed again based on the actual cost of the completed retrofits.
If the actual costs of the completed retrofits are lower than the initial cost estimates, the loan amount will be decreased
If the actual costs are higher than the initial cost estimate, the loan amount will not be increased
The final approved loan amount will be deposited into your bank account (less the initial advance, if you received one) within 10 days.
8. Repay your loan over time
You will receive detailed information on the repayment of your loan over the 10-year period.
What you need to know
What is the difference between the grant and the loan?
The grant provides:
up to $5,000 of the eligible, recommended retrofits that you complete
up to $600 toward your eligible evaluations
The grant is available once:
the retrofit and post-retrofit evaluation are complete
the final invoices have been provided
Natural Resources Canada has completed the final assessment of the grant amount
Loan funds are also available once:
the retrofit and post-retrofit evaluation are complete
the final invoices have been provided
your final loan amount has been assessed
You may be eligible to receive a portion of your loan funds in advance to pay for eligible upfront costs.
The loan can be up to $40,000, has a 10-year repayment term and is interest-free.
If I’ve already applied for the grant, how do I apply for the loan?
Apply for and be eligible for the grant.
Book a pre-retrofit evaluation of your home.
Decide which retrofits you’d like to complete from your energy advisor’s Renovation Upgrade Report.
Seek out quotes from contractors for the recommended retrofits you plan to complete (one quote is mandatory, 3 quotes are optimal).
Submit an application for the loan, including your quotes, through the Canada Greener Homes Grant portal (or your Greener Homes account).
I’ve already started or completed my retrofits – how do I apply for the loan?
You must be approved for the loan before you start your retrofits.
You won’t be able to submit an application for the loan if you’ve already started or completed your retrofits, even if they were included in your pre‑retrofit evaluation report.
To be eligible for a loan, you must apply, upload 1 to 3 quotes from contractors, and be approved through the Canada Greener Homes Grant portal before you start any retrofits.
Can I get the loan without applying for the grant?
No, only homeowners who are eligible for the Canada Greener Homes Grant can apply for the Canada Greener Homes Loan.
Will this loan appear on my credit bureau?
Yes, the loan and its performance will be reported to Equifax Canada.
What other resources are available for sustainable and affordable housing?
The Government of Canada has other resources to support more sustainable and affordable housing:
We strive to create and maintain a service experience where everyone is treated with dignity, decency and respect. If there is an opportunity for us to improve in any of these areas, please let us know.
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