Making your home more energy efficient doesn’t just lower your utility bills — it can also save you money on your mortgage through CMHC premium refunds, government incentive programs, and better property value. Here’s every financial incentive available in 2026.
CMHC Green Home premium refund The CMHC Green Home program refunds a portion of your mortgage insurance premium when your home meets energy efficiency standards.
How it works Step Details 1. Buy or build an energy-efficient home Must be CMHC-insured (less than 20% down) 2. Get an EnerGuide evaluation Licensed energy advisor assesses the home 3. Meet the energy threshold EnerGuide 82+ (15% refund) or 86+ (25% refund) 4. Submit to CMHC Your lender submits the EnerGuide report and application 5. Receive your refund CMHC refunds a portion of your insurance premium
Refund amounts EnerGuide Rating Premium Refund Example on $500K Mortgage (5% Down) 82–85 15% $3,000 86+ 25% $5,000 ENERGY STAR / R-2000 / LEED 25% $5,000
How much the premium refund saves you Mortgage Amount Down Payment CMHC Premium (4.0%) 25% Refund $400,000 5% ($21,053) $16,000 $4,000 $500,000 5% ($26,316) $20,000 $5,000 $600,000 10% ($66,667) $18,600 $4,650 $700,000 10% ($77,778) $21,700 $5,425
CMHC premium rates (for reference) Down Payment CMHC Premium Rate 5%–9.99% 4.00% 10%–14.99% 3.10% 15%–19.99% 2.80%
Who qualifies Requirement Details Mortgage type CMHC-insured (down payment under 20%) Property type New build or existing home that meets standards Certification EnerGuide evaluation by licensed advisor, or recognized certification Application deadline Within 24 months of mortgage funding
Canada Greener Homes Loan Feature Details What it is Interest-free loan for energy-efficient home improvements Amount Up to $40,000 Interest rate 0% Repayment term Up to 10 years Eligible improvements Insulation, windows, heat pumps, solar panels, EV charging Requirement Pre- and post-renovation EnerGuide evaluation
Eligible improvements Improvement Typical Cost Typical Energy Savings Air source heat pump $5,000–$15,000 30%–50% reduction in heating costs Ground source (geothermal) heat pump $20,000–$40,000 50%–70% reduction in heating costs Attic insulation $1,500–$4,000 10%–20% reduction in heating costs Basement insulation $3,000–$8,000 10%–15% reduction in heating costs Windows and doors $5,000–$20,000 10%–20% reduction in heating costs Solar panels $15,000–$30,000 30%–100% reduction in electricity costs Drain water heat recovery $500–$1,500 Reduces hot water costs EV charger installation $1,500–$3,000 Enables electric vehicle charging
Provincial and municipal incentives Province Program Details Ontario Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate Up to $5,000 for insulation, air sealing, and windows BC CleanBC Better Homes Rebates for heat pumps ($3,000–$6,000), insulation, windows Quebec Rénoclimat Rebates for energy improvements; up to $20,000 Alberta Clean Energy Improvement Program On-bill financing for solar, insulation, heat pumps Nova Scotia HomeWarming Free upgrades for low-income homeowners Manitoba Efficiency Manitoba Rebates for insulation, heating, and appliances New Brunswick Total Home Energy Savings Rebates for insulation and heating upgrades Saskatchewan SaskEnergy Rebates for high-efficiency furnaces and insulation
Programs change frequently. Check your province’s energy efficiency program website for current availability and amounts.
How energy efficiency affects home value Factor Impact EnerGuide rating Homes with higher ratings sell for 2%–6% more in some markets Solar panels Increase home value by $10,000–$20,000 (varies by market) Heat pump Increasingly valued as buyers seek lower operating costs Energy audit documentation Provides buyers with confidence in the home’s efficiency Utility cost savings Lower monthly costs make the home more affordable to buyers
Making the financial case New home purchase (CMHC refund) Factor Standard Home Energy-Efficient Home Purchase price $550,000 $565,000 (+$15,000 for upgrades) CMHC premium (5% down) $20,900 $21,470 CMHC Green Home refund $0 -$5,367 Annual utility savings $3,600 $2,400 (saves $1,200/year) 10-year utility savings $0 $12,000 Net cost of efficiency — $15,000 − $5,367 − $12,000 = −$2,367 (you come out ahead)
Existing home renovation (Greener Homes Loan) Factor Value Heat pump installation $12,000 Greener Homes Loan (0%) $12,000 over 10 years = $100/month Heating cost reduction $150/month Net monthly benefit +$50/month from day one
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