Financial Incentives and Funding Options for Sustainable Construction in the Greater Toronto Area

Veles Construction
June 17, 2025

Financial Incentives and Funding Options for Sustainable Construction in the Greater Toronto Area

Credit: Vecteezy

Credit: Vecteezy

Retrofitting your home for energy efficiency is not only a smart environmental choice it can also be financially accessible, thanks to a wide range of incentives available across the Greater Toronto Area. This blog provides a concise, up-to-date overview of federal, provincial, utility, and municipal programs designed to support homeowners with grants, rebates, and low- or zero-interest financing. Whether planning upgrades to insulation, heating systems, or building resilience, this guide outlines key opportunities and eligibility criteria to help you make informed, cost-effective decisions.

Federal programs

 Program 

 What you get 

 Key conditions 

Canada Greener Homes Loan

 Interest‑free loan $ 5,000–$ 40,000, repayable over 10 years (Natural Resources Canada, 2025)

 Must complete pre‑ and post‑retrofit EnerGuide assessments and follow recommended upgrades.

Oil‑to‑Heat‑Pump Affordability Program

 Up‑front grant up to $ 10,000 to switch from oil heat to an eligible heat‑pump system  (Natural Resources Canada, 2025)

 Property must have used ≥ 1,000 L of oil in the past 12 months and meet income/municipal criteria.

Provincial & utility programs (Ontario‑wide)

 Program 

 What you get 

 Key conditions 

Home Renovation Savings Program (launch 28 Jan 2025)

 Rebates covering up to 30 % of retrofit costs (heat pumps ≤ $ 7,500; GSHP ≤ $ 12,000; insulation, windows, solar ≤ $ 10,000) (Natural Resources Canada, 2025)

 No EnerGuide audit is required for most measures.

Energy Affordability Program (EAP) & Home Winterproofing

 Low‑ and moderate‑income households may receive free insulation, draft‑proofing, smart thermostats, appliances, LED bulbs and more (Ontario Ministry of Energy, 2025)

 Eligibility is income‑based or benefit‑based; all upgrades are 100 % free.

Municipal & regional programs (GTA focus)

 Program 

 What you get 

 Key conditions 

Toronto Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)

 Zero‑interest (limited‑time) loans up to $ 125,000 amortised over 15–20 years(City of Toronto, 2025)

 EnerGuide audit required; loan repaid via property tax bill.

Toronto Eco‑Roof Incentive

 Green roofs: $75 m² (≤ $ 100,000); Cool roofs: $2–5 m² (≤ $ 50,000) (City of Toronto, 2025)

 Available to existing buildings and some new builds that exceed code.

Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy

 Rebate up to $ 3,400 for backwater valves, sump pumps, and pipe disconnection (City of Toronto, 2025)

 For single, semi‑detached, duplex, or triplex properties.

References

  1. Natural Resources Canada. Canada Greener Homes Loan https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-efficiency/home-energy-efficiency/canada-greener-homes-initiative/canada-greener-homes-loan?utm_source=chatgpt.com
  2. Natural Resources Canada. Oil‑to‑Heat Pump Affordability Program & Eligibility Criteria. https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-efficiency/home-energy-efficiency/canada-greener-homes-initiative/oil-heat-pump-affordability-program?utm_source=chatgpt.com
  3. Ontario Ministry of Energy. News Release Ontario Launches New Energy Efficiency Programs to Save You Money (issued Jan 2025). https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1005538/ontario-launches-new-energy-efficiency-programs-to-save-you-money?utm_source=chatgpt.com
  4. Enbridge Gas & Save on Energy. Home Renovation Savings™ Program. https://www.enbridgegas.com/ontario/rebates-energy-conservation/home-winterproofing-program?utm_source=chatgpt.com
  5. City of Toronto / TRREB. Home Energy Loan Program Factsheet. https://trreb.ca/wp-content/files/homeownership/fact-sheet-city-of-toronto-home-energy-loan-program.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
  6. City of Toronto. Eco‑Roof Incentive Program. https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/environmental-grants-incentives/green-your-roof/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
  7. City of Toronto. Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program (accessed 18 Jun 2025). https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/managing-rain-melted-snow/basement-flooding/basement-flooding-protection-subsidy-program/?utm_source=chatgpt.com