Greener Homes Initiative for Windows and Doors in Canada

Did you know you could upgrade your home’s windows and doors to energy-efficient ones without draining your wallet? It’s true! 

The Canadian government is offering an interest-free loan of up to $40,000 through the Greener Homes Initiative, making it easier for you to create a more sustainable and energy-saving home.

Curious about how it works? This initiative isn’t just about saving energy; it’s also about saving you money in the long run. But what do you need to qualify? How do you apply? And why is this program even available?

If this sounds like the opportunity you’ve been waiting for, stick around. These rebates won’t be here forever, so you’ll want to act quickly before they’re gone!

What is the Greener Homes Initiative?

The Canada Greener Homes Initiative is a federal program to meet Canada’s 2030 climate target. The target is that Canada will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 40-45% by 2030.

But how will this federal initiative help Canada achieve its target? The purpose of the Canada Greener Homes Initiative is to make Canadian homes more energy-efficient by providing financial incentives (grants and loans).

With these loans, homeowners can make door and windows upgrade with —

• Proper insulation
• High-efficiency heating and cooling systems
• Energy-efficient windows and doors
• Renewable energy technologies (e.g., solar panels)

These upgrades will not only make their home release reduced gas into the air but also bring in other benefits. Such as:

• Homeowners can save up to 11% of their energy bills by reducing the use of heating and cooling systems.
• As the home will maintain a warm environment in winter and a cool environment in summer, it’ll increase the comfort and value of their homes.
• Energy-efficient doors and windows will contribute to a more sustainable future.

Available Programs of the Canada Greener Homes Initiative

The initiative is part of the Canadian government’s broader plan to combat climate change and transition to a low-carbon economy. Hence, they introduced 4 programs to make it more convenient for applicants. Such as:

1. Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program (Open)
2. Canada Greener Homes Grant (Closed)
3. Canada Greener Homes Loan (Open)
4. Canada Greener Affordable Housing (Open)

Each of these programs has its own criteria and benefits. Among these programs, the Canada Greener Homes Loan is the only available opportunity to take loans for upgrading windows and doors. Here’s a brief overview of this program:

Canada Greener Homes Loan

To be eligible for this interest-free loan, you need to meet their requirement and then apply for it. This loan used to be a part of the “Canada Greener Homes Grant,” but now it’s offered individually.

You can take a loan from $5,000 to $40,000 (CAD) for 10 years. This is a type of personal loan given by the government and interest-free.

What Do You Need to be Eligible for the Loan Program?

Here are the requirements that you need to meet to be eligible for the loan:

For All Loan Applicants

• The very first requirement is to be a citizen of Canada with a legal permit to work in Canada
• You must have a primary residence home in Canada
• Having a pre-retrofit assessment without a record of post-retrofit assessment is needed.
• You must have evidence of completing pre-retrofit after 1st April 2020.
• The retrofits or upgrades to the home have not been started or implemented at the time of the loan application
• A credit history without any orderly compensation, consumer proposal, or bankruptcy is a must.

For Low-Rise Multi-Unit Residential Buildings

• Must have three or fewer stories
• Your MURB shouldn’t exceed 600 m2 area
• The maximum unit number is 100 and the minimum unit number is 2
• Your building units should be attached by a common space or stacked (up or down) partially or fully.
• If your building has a secondary suite, it should be located beside each other
• Residential living space must be at least 50% of the building
• The building should be habitable throughout the year.
• Pre-retrofit and post-retrofit assessment using EnerGuide shall be conducted only once for the whole structure.

For Indigenous Group Applicants

• You can be the owner yourself or have a formal partnership to own the home. The home doesn’t need to be the owner’s primary residence for the loan.
• You need to be eligible to register more than one home.
• The home needs to be tenanted by an Indigenous household
• For every property included in the loan agreement, at least one eligible retrofit has to be identified and selected.

For Northern and Off-Grid Communities

Living in northern regions or off-grid communities comes with unique challenges, especially when it comes to home renovations or retrofits. High material and labor costs can make these upgrades feel out of reach.

To make things easier, the Canadian government has increased retrofit amounts by 30% specifically for northern and off-grid homeowners. This additional support ensures these communities can afford the upgrades they need.

Homeowners in these areas can also replace outdated fossil fuel-burning appliances with cleaner alternatives. Plus, they may qualify for extra insulation measures, such as ceiling, attic, or floor insulation, to keep their homes warm and energy-efficient.

These tailored benefits are designed to make retrofitting more accessible and practical for those in remote areas.

Who is NOT Eligible for the Loan Program?

For the following reasons, it isn’t possible to request a loan from the Canada Greener Homes Initiative program:

• Performing the work which has commenced or is already completed
• Making retrofits, which were not suggested in your pre-retrofit assessment.
• Retrofitting works that are not covered in your application (i.e., you should not include extra retrofitting works in your approved application for the loan)
• Works that aren’t going to be compensated by the Canada Greener Homes Grant.

What Information Do You Need to Register for the Greener Homes Initiative?

Here is the list of information and papers you need to provide to register for the Greener Homes Initiative

• Your name
• Contact number and email address
• Information about your house, like the house type, address, and proof of ownership.
• Property tax bill information
• Residential proof with papers of utility bill, govt. Issued ID, or driving license

Besides this basic information, you need some other information. You’ll be required to carry out two EnerGuide assessments — a pre and post-rebuild evaluation. These assessments are conducted by energy advisors registered with NRCan.

After completing pre-retrofit assessment, you’ll receive —

1. An EnerGuide home rating and its corresponding label.
2. A Renovation Upgrade Report and Homeowner Information Sheet that outlines ways to enhance your home’s energy efficiency.

Where and How to Register for this Federal Program?

Here is how to register the for this loan program:

• Go to the Canada Greener Homes Initiative website from here.
• Click on the program “Canada Greener Homes Loan”.
• Follow the instructions on the website to create an account and complete the application.

If you’re unable to register on your own, you can book a quote with NUVO. We’ll help you to arrange all the necessary papers efficiently and make your registration for the loan.

Conclusion

So, you now know about the greener homes initiative for windows and doors in detail. This is one of the effective initiatives that will help Canada to meet its climate-changing goal through the residents.

The entire process, from collective papers to registration, you may need to run here and there. But NUVO can do this task without wasting your precious time and energy. Feel free to contact our team anytime!