Is the Greener Homes Grant Gone? 2026 Window Rebate Guide for Ontario
The Answer First: The "Greener Homes Grant" is Dead.
- Status: The federal Canada Greener Homes Grant closed to new applicants in February 2024.
- The Replacement: The new program for 2026 is the Home Renovation Savings Program (HRS), managed by Enbridge and the IESO.
- The Money: You can get $100 per window/door (up to $5,000 max).
- The Catch: You must be an Enbridge Gas customer and complete a pre-retrofit energy audit.
If a door-to-door salesperson tells you they can get you the "$5,600 Federal Grant" today, they are lying to you.
The "Zombie Grant" Myth
In Toronto, we are seeing a wave of "Energy Advisors" knocking on doors, promising huge federal checks. They are selling you a dream that ended in 2024.
Here is the hard reality: The federal pot of money ran out faster than anyone expected. The Canada Greener Homes Grant (the one that gave you $5,000 back) is fully subscribed. If you didn't have your file number by Feb 2024, that ship has sailed.
However, rebates are not dead. They just changed names and owners.
The Truth Table: What's Available in 2026?
Don't get scammed by outdated info. Here is the official status of every major program available to Ontario homeowners right now.
| Program Name | Status | Who Runs It? | The Deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Greener Homes Grant | 🔴 CLOSED | Federal (NRCan) | The big $5k grant. No new applicants accepted. |
| Enbridge HER+ | 🔴 CLOSED | Enbridge/Federal | Closed Feb 2024. Replaced by HRS. |
| Home Renovation Savings (HRS) | 🟢 ACTIVE | Enbridge / IESO | $100/Opening. Must be Enbridge Gas customer. |
| Greener Homes LOAN | 🟢 ACTIVE | Federal (CMHC) | 0% Interest Loan up to $40,000. Still open! |
| Oil to Heat Pump (OHPA) | 🟢 ACTIVE | Federal | Up to $15,000 if you switch from oil to heat pump. |
The "Secret" Weapon: The 0% Loan
While the free money (grant) is smaller, the cheap money (loan) is still huge. The Canada Greener Homes Loan is still active. This allows you to borrow up to $40,000 interest-free for 10 years to replace your windows.
The Math: on a $20,000 window project, a regular bank loan at 7% interest would cost you ~$7,000 in interest over 10 years. This federal loan costs you $0. That is a realized saving of $7k.
The New "HRS" Program Explained
The Home Renovation Savings (HRS) program is the current active rebate for 2026. It is less aggressive than the old federal grant, but it is real money.
Eligibility Checklist:
- Heat Source: You must heat your home with Natural Gas (Enbridge customer).
- Ownership: You must own the home (detached, semi, row house).
- Process:
- Step 1: Hire a Registered Energy Advisor (REA) for a Pre-Retrofit Audit (~$600).
- Step 2: Install Energy Star Most Efficient 2025 certified windows.
- Step 3: Get a Post-Retrofit Audit.
- Step 4: Receive cheque.
Technical Note: The windows must meet specific U-Factor ratings. At Installix, our Triple Pane and High-Performance Double Pane units meet the Energy Star Most Efficient criteria required for this rebate.
Is It Worth It? (The ROI Calculation)
Is it worth paying $600 for an audit to get $100 back per window?
Scenario A: Small Project (3 Windows).
- Rebate: $300.
- Audit Cost: $600.
- Result: You LOSE money. Do not do the audit.
Scenario B: Whole Home (15 Windows).
- Rebate: $1,500.
- Audit Cost: $600 (often reimbursed partially, check with advisor).
- Result: You net ~$900 + guaranteed energy savings. Worth it.
Don't Let Rebates Dictate Quality
We see this often: homeowners choose substantialy lower quality windows just to chase a rebate.
Fact: A high-quality window lasts 25+ years. A "builder grade" window that barely meets the rebate criteria might fail in 10 years. If you have to replace your windows twice, you have lost far more than any rebate check could cover.
We build windows for Toronto's Climate Zone (Zone 2). We optimize for thermal shock resistance and air tightness first. If they qualify for a rebate, that's a bonus.
Getting Started
If you are planning a project for 2026:
- Get a Quote First: Know your baseline cost.
- We Connect You: We have a list of trusted, honest Energy Advisors who won't lie to you about the grants.
- Apply for the Loan: We can help you with the quote details needed for the 0% loan application.