Official sources checked on October 13, 2026.
The Home Renovation Savings program is Ontario’s main home energy rebate program in 2026, delivered by Save on Energy and Enbridge Gas with support from the Ontario government. It has two streams: single upgrades that need no home energy assessment (heat pumps up to $12,000, solar panels and battery storage up to $10,000, attic insulation up to $1,250, a smart thermostat and up to $200 per appliance), and an assessment stream that pays up to $5,000 in homes heated with Enbridge natural gas, or up to $10,000 in homes heated with electricity, oil, propane or wood, when you complete two or more upgrades.
To estimate your own rebate, use our heat pump rebate calculator and attic insulation rebate calculator; to estimate the project cost before rebates, see our heat pump cost calculator and attic insulation cost calculator (covering Quebec and Ontario), or browse all renovation cost calculators.
Timing matters this fall. According to the program’s terms, attic insulation in the no-assessment stream must be installed by November 30, 2026, and in the assessment stream your follow-up assessment must be scheduled by November 30, 2026 and completed by December 31, 2026. The heat pump, solar and appliance pages show no end date, but every stream can end once its funding is used up.
In this guide
Home Renovation Savings program at a glance
The table lists every rebate shown on homerenovationsavings.ca on October 13, 2026. Amounts are maximums; the actual rebate depends on the size of the equipment, the insulation level you start from and your heating fuel.
| Upgrade | Stream | Maximum rebate | Who does the work | Date to watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold climate air source heat pump | No assessment | $7,500 (electricity, oil, propane, wood); $2,000 (Enbridge gas) | Participating contractor | Pre-approval before installation |
| Ground source heat pump | No assessment | $12,000 (electricity, oil, propane, wood); $3,000 (Enbridge gas) | Participating contractor | Pre-approval before installation |
| Solar panels | No assessment | $5,000 ($1,000/kW, max. 50% of cost) | Your own contractor | Written pre-approval first |
| Battery storage (with new solar) | No assessment | $5,000 ($300/kWh, max. 50% of cost) | Your own contractor | Written pre-approval first |
| Attic insulation | No assessment | $1,250 (attic); $750 (cathedral or flat roof) | Participating contractor | Install by November 30, 2026 |
| Smart thermostat | No assessment | $125 on the program page ($100 in the terms) | You | Offer ends December 31, 2026 |
| Appliances | No assessment | $25 to $200 each | You | Apply within 60 days of purchase |
| Home energy assessments | Assessment | $600 | Registered energy advisor | Follow-up by December 31, 2026 |
| Insulation (attic, walls, foundation, floor) | Assessment | Up to $7,700 combined | Professional contractor | Same |
| Windows and doors | Assessment | $100 per rough opening | Professional contractor | Same |
| Heat pump water heater | Assessment | $500 | Licensed professional | Same |
| Air sealing | Assessment | $200 or $250 | You or a contractor | Same |
| Bonus for 3+ upgrades | Assessment | $500 | — | Follow-up on or after January 5, 2026 |
Two streams: with or without a home energy assessment
In short: choose the no-assessment stream for one targeted upgrade, and the assessment stream if you plan two or more envelope upgrades before the end of 2026.
Without an assessment: one upgrade at a time
Heat pumps, solar and batteries, attic insulation, smart thermostats and appliances can be claimed on their own, with no energy advisor involved. For heat pumps and attic insulation, a contractor from the program’s participating list handles the paperwork. For solar, you choose your own contractor because there is no program list. Thermostats and appliances you buy and install yourself, then apply online.
With an assessment: two or more upgrades, higher amounts
The assessment stream starts with an initial home energy assessment by a registered energy advisor, before any work. You then complete at least two qualified upgrades from your report and book a follow-up assessment with the same advisor. Rebates are higher than in the no-assessment stream (for example $1,500 instead of $1,250 for the same attic upgrade), and the assessments themselves are rebated up to $600 once you finish.
The program caps the total at $5,000 for homes heated with Enbridge natural gas and $10,000 for homes on the Ontario electricity grid heated with electricity, oil, propane or wood. Both caps include the $600 for assessments, and the rebate can never exceed what you actually paid for the assessments and the upgrades.
Who is eligible for the Home Renovation Savings program
Eligibility depends on the rebate, but most streams share the same core rules, set out on each program page and in the program FAQ:
- Owners only for heat pumps, attic insulation, solar and the assessment stream. Tenants cannot apply; when a home is rented out, the owner applies.
- Heating and utility: either an Enbridge Gas residential customer with an active account who mainly heats with a natural gas furnace or boiler, or a home connected to the Ontario electricity grid heated with electricity, oil, propane or wood.
- Home type: single detached, semi-detached, row house, townhome, or mobile home on a permanent foundation. Stacked townhomes are excluded from the attic and assessment streams, and the assessment stream also excludes duplexes, triplexes and multi-unit buildings.
- Not a new build: the home must have been occupied for more than six months (solar is the exception: new builds can apply once occupied).
- Appliances: you must be a residential customer connected to the Ontario grid and be replacing an existing electric appliance. The appliance FAQ does not limit this rebate to owners.
Who is not eligible
- Homes heated mainly with natural gas from a utility other than Enbridge Gas.
- Cornwall Electric customers, unless the home is heated with (or converting to or from) Enbridge natural gas.
- Homes that use a fireplace as the main heat source: the FAQ says a fireplace is not a primary heating type.
- Heat pump replacements: the heat pump rebate is only for homes without an existing space-heating heat pump.
- Any upgrade already rebated by another Enbridge Gas, Save on Energy or Government of Ontario program.
- Homes in parts of Sarnia (postal codes beginning N7S, N7T, N7V, N7W, N7X, plus Point Edward and Brights Grove) are redirected to a separate local insulation program for attic and assessment rebates.
Rebates without an assessment
Heat pumps: up to $12,000
The heat pump rebate depends on the fuel that heats your home before the installation. Air source amounts are calculated per ton of rated heating capacity at 8.3°C (47°F), according to the official heat pump page.
| Current heating | Cold climate air source | Ground source |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity, oil, propane or wood | $1,250 per ton, up to $7,500 | $2,000 per ton of closed-loop capacity, up to $12,000 |
| Enbridge natural gas | $500 per ton, up to $2,000 | $3,000 flat |
| Rented heat pump (any fuel) | $500 per ton, up to $2,000 | $3,000 flat |
Two rules decide whether you get anything: pre-approval is mandatory, and installations done before approval are not eligible; and the contractor must come from the program’s participating list. The contractor submits the post-installation application, and the program says the cheque should arrive by mail within 60 days of approval. Air source units must be listed on Natural Resources Canada’s qualified products list. Our Ontario heat pump rebate guide covers sizing rules, product requirements and four worked examples, and the heat pump rebate calculator estimates your amount in a minute.
Solar panels and battery storage: up to $10,000
Solar panels earn $1,000 per kW, up to $5,000 and no more than 50% of total costs. A battery paired with a new solar system earns $300 per kWh, also up to $5,000 and 50% of costs. The catch, stated on the solar page: homeowners who take these incentives are not eligible for a net-metering agreement with their local utility, because the program funds systems designed for load displacement, meaning the power is used in the home. You must also get written pre-approval from the program and your local utility before buying or installing anything.
Attic insulation: up to $1,250
The no-assessment attic rebate pays 50% of the after-tax cost, up to the maximums below, according to the stream’s Additional Program Eligibility Requirements (version January 2026). The whole roof assembly must be insulated, and only a participating contractor can do the work.
| Insulation before the work | Target | Maximum rebate |
|---|---|---|
| Attic, R-12 or less | R-50 | $1,250 |
| Attic, above R-12 to R-25 | R-50 | $1,000 |
| Attic, above R-25 to R-35 | R-50 | $800 |
| Cathedral ceiling or flat roof, R-25 or less | R-28 | $750 |
| Cathedral ceiling or flat roof, R-12 or less | R-20 | $650 |
Installation must be complete by November 30, 2026. Contractor registration for this stream is closed, so only contractors already on the pre-approved list can deliver it. Our Ontario attic insulation rebate guide explains the R-value tiers and the 50% calculation in detail.
Smart thermostats: $125 advertised, $100 in the terms
The smart thermostat page advertises a $125 rebate, either as an instant code used at checkout with participating retailers or as a rebate after purchase from any retailer (upload your receipt within 60 days). The two Terms and Conditions documents (version January 2026), however, state $100, and $125 for households that received a free kit through the Energy Affordability Program. Check the amount shown when you apply. Eligible models are listed by model number on the program page, the home must not have received a smart thermostat rebate or device from Enbridge Gas, Save on Energy or the program before, and the terms say the offer ends on December 31, 2026. See our Ontario smart thermostat rebate guide for eligibility and how to claim.
Appliances: up to $200 each
Rebates apply to new ENERGY STAR Most Efficient models that replace an existing electric appliance. Used or refurbished appliances do not qualify. You buy from any retailer, then apply online within 60 days of purchase; the FAQ says processing typically takes 4 to 8 weeks, with a limit of two rebates per appliance category per home.
| Appliance | Rebate |
|---|---|
| Heat pump clothes dryer | $200 |
| Induction cooktop or range | $150 |
| Washing machine | $75 |
| Fridge | $50 |
| Freezer | $50 |
| Dishwasher | $25 |
The assessment stream: rebates for two or more upgrades
In short: the assessment stream pays the most per upgrade, but you need an energy advisor before and after the work and you must finish this year. All amounts below come from the official assessment page and the stream’s Terms and Conditions and Additional Program Eligibility Requirements (both version November 2025).
| Upgrade | Rebate | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| Home energy assessments | $600 | Paid once per participant, per home, after you finish |
| Attic to R-50 | $1,500 / $1,200 / $900 | From R-12 or less / above R-12 to R-25 / above R-25 to R-35; pro-rated if you insulate 50% or more of the roof |
| Cathedral ceiling or flat roof | $780 | Counted with the attic as one upgrade, combined max. $1,500 |
| Exterior walls | $3,600 / $2,100 / $1,200 | Added above R-20 / R-12 to R-20 / R-7.5 to R-12; amounts for 100% of the wall area, pro-rated from 20% |
| Basement walls | $1,500 / $900 | Above R-22 / R-10 to R-22; pro-rated from 20% of the area |
| Basement slab | $500 | At least 50% of the slab, minimum R-3.5 |
| Foundation header | $300 | Only with a basement or crawlspace wall upgrade |
| Crawlspace walls or ceiling | $600 to $1,200 | Combined crawlspace caps up to $2,700 |
| Exposed floor | $300 | At least R-20 over 11 m² (120 sq. ft.) or more |
| Windows and doors | $100 per rough opening | Minimum three windows, or one door, skylight or sliding door; full frame replacement with ENERGY STAR products |
| Heat pump water heater | $500 | ENERGY STAR model replacing a gas, electric, oil or propane water heater |
| Air sealing | $250 or $200 | $250 if you beat your target air tightness by 10%, $200 if you meet it |
| Multi-upgrade bonus | $500 | Three or more upgrades, follow-up assessment on or after January 5, 2026 |
Some rules are easy to miss. Wall and foundation rebates are reduced to 75% for semi-detached and end units and to 50% for middle units. Windows, doors and skylights together count as one upgrade, and replacing only the glass or the sash does not qualify. The advisor-recommended work must start after the initial assessment: anything completed before it is not eligible. The program also notes that results vary for air sealing, so it suggests treating it as a third upgrade rather than one of your required two.
2026 deadlines for the Home Renovation Savings program
In short: if you want the assessment stream or the attic rebate, you have about seven weeks from mid-October to get the work done or booked. These dates come from the program’s Terms and Conditions documents, listed on the terms and conditions page.
| Date | What it means | Stream |
|---|---|---|
| November 30, 2026 | Attic insulation must be installed | Attic (no assessment) |
| November 30, 2026 | Follow-up assessment must be scheduled and entered in the program system | Assessment |
| December 31, 2026 | Follow-up assessment completed (or within 180 days of the initial one, whichever comes first) | Assessment |
| December 31, 2026 | Smart thermostat offer ends; purchase, installation and activation must be done by then | Smart thermostat |
| 60 days after purchase | Deadline to submit your rebate application | Appliances, smart thermostat |
| No date published | Rebates continue until the funding is allocated or exhausted | Heat pumps, solar and batteries, appliances |
A realistic plan for the assessment stream, starting in October: book the initial assessment right away (the program says it takes about two hours, and some regions have few advisors), get quotes for your two or three upgrades as soon as you have the report, finish the work in November, and book the follow-up assessment (about one hour) before November 30. If a contractor cannot start before mid-November, the no-assessment route may be the safer choice for a heat pump.
Worked examples
These examples apply the official rates to hypothetical homes. The quotes are assumptions for illustration only, not market prices.
Example 1: electrically heated bungalow, assessment stream
A bungalow heated with electric baseboards has R-10 in the attic, old windows and a drafty front door. After the initial assessment, the owners complete three upgrades before the follow-up assessment:
| Item | Rule | Rebate |
|---|---|---|
| Attic from R-10 to R-50, whole roof | R-12 or less to R-50 | $1,500 |
| 4 windows and 1 entry door, full frame | 5 rough openings × $100 | $500 |
| Air sealing, target met | Target reached | $200 |
| Multi-upgrade bonus | 3 upgrades, follow-up after January 5, 2026 | $500 |
| Assessments | Once per home | $600 |
| Total | Below the $10,000 cap for electric homes | $3,300 |
The same attic upgrade done alone through the no-assessment stream would pay 50% of the after-tax cost, up to $1,250. On an assumed $2,000 after-tax quote, that is $1,000 instead of $1,500. The assessment route pays more, but it requires two advisor visits and at least one more upgrade, and the total rebate can never exceed what you spent.
Example 2: natural gas home, single upgrades
An Enbridge Gas customer keeps the gas furnace as backup and adds a 3-ton cold climate air source heat pump through a participating contractor, after pre-approval. The heat pump rebate is 3 × $500 = $1,500. The household also replaces its electric dryer with an eligible heat pump dryer ($200) and buys an eligible smart thermostat ($125 advertised, or $100 under the written terms). Total: $1,800 to $1,825, with each rebate claimed separately.
For the full gas-customer rules, including sizing options and the closed Enbridge programs, see our Enbridge heat pump rebate guide.
The same 3-ton unit in a home heated with oil would earn 3 × $1,250 = $3,750, which is why your heating fuel before the work matters so much.
How to apply, stream by stream
| Rebate | First step | Who submits | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat pump | Eligibility form, then a participating contractor | Contractor (pre- and post-installation) | Cheque within 60 days of approval |
| Solar and battery | Eligibility form, then your own contractor | Contractor, with utility approval | After approval of final documents |
| Attic insulation | Eligibility form, then a participating contractor | Contractor | After the contractor submits documents |
| Smart thermostat | Instant code before buying, or receipt after | You | Instant, or up to 60 days after approval |
| Appliances | Buy, then apply online with receipt | You | Typically 4 to 8 weeks |
| Assessment stream | Book an assessment with an authorized service organization | Energy advisor | Cheque within 60 days or Interac e-Transfer within 30 days |
For the assessment stream, keep your invoices for the assessments and every upgrade, plus your property tax bill: they are part of the documents required at the follow-up. For windows and doors, keep the ENERGY STAR labels on until the follow-up visit.
Combining the program with other help
In short: you cannot get a second Enbridge Gas, Save on Energy or Ontario government incentive for the same upgrade, but other funding sources can be added within limits.
- Caps when stacking: for heat pumps and solar, other incentives cannot exceed 100% of the supply and installation cost. For attic insulation, all rebates combined cannot exceed 50% of the after-tax cost, according to the FAQ.
- Past programs: if you used Home Efficiency Rebate (HER) or HER+, you can still participate, but not for an upgrade that was already rebated.
- Federal National Heat Pump Rebate (announced, not yet open): on October 8, 2026, the federal government announced a rebate for cold climate air source heat pumps: $2,000 for eligible homeowners and up to $10,000 for households below the median income, which the announcement says can be combined with provincial programs. The launch date, application portal and income thresholds had not been published when we checked.
- Free upgrades for lower-income households: the Energy Affordability Program provides free upgrades, including insulation, draft proofing and a cold climate air source heat pump for homes heated by electricity or oil, to households under the income limits (for example $48,220 for one person and $96,439 for four, before tax) or receiving certain benefits. Phone: 1-844-770-3148. See our Energy Affordability Program guide for the income limits.
- Toronto loans: the city’s Home Energy Loan Program lends up to $125,000 or 10% of your property’s assessed value, whichever is less, repaid through your property tax bill, with a 2% administrative charge. The rates on the page were labelled valid until September 30, 2026, so confirm the current rate before you apply.
Common mistakes and scams to avoid
- Starting before approval. A heat pump installed before pre-approval, solar equipment bought before written approval, or envelope work done before the initial assessment gets no rebate.
- Hiring a contractor who is not on the list. Heat pump and attic rebates require a participating contractor; ask for proof and check the program site yourself.
- Counting on net metering with solar. Taking the solar rebate rules out a net-metering agreement.
- Buying 1 or 2 windows. The assessment stream pays nothing below three window openings (or one door, skylight or sliding door).
- Missing November 30. Both the attic installation and the follow-up booking deadline fall on that date.
- Trusting unsolicited offers. The program’s scam warning page says its partners never contact you first, never show up without an appointment and never offer loans or payment plans. Type the program address yourself, never share your social insurance number or banking details with a stranger, and verify any offer at 1-866-449-8510.
The program also pays for foundation work: our guide to basement insulation in Canada shows which wall, header and slab upgrades qualify and how to build the assembly.
Planning wall or rim joist insulation under the assessment stream? Our spray foam vs batt insulation guide compares R-value, cost and the wall rebates listed by the program.
If your water heater is rented, read our guide to water heater rental vs buying in Ontario before you replace it: it covers buyouts, your rights under Ontario law and the $500 heat pump water heater rebate.
A heat pump water heater earns $500 only in the assessment stream and only alongside at least one other upgrade. Our heat pump water heater rebate guide covers the rules, three worked examples and the November 30 deadline.
Rebates in the “assessment required” stream, such as insulation, windows and air sealing, need an energy audit before and after the work, and the follow-up audit has a November 30, 2026 booking deadline. For what an audit costs, how to book one and a worked example of the $600 audit rebate, see our home energy audit Ontario guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Home Renovation Savings program?
It is Ontario’s home energy rebate program, delivered by Save on Energy and Enbridge Gas with support from the Ontario government. It pays rebates for heat pumps, solar and batteries, insulation, windows and doors, air sealing, heat pump water heaters, smart thermostats and appliances.
Is the Home Renovation Savings program still open in 2026?
Yes, as of October 13, 2026. The attic stream requires installation by November 30, 2026, the assessment stream requires a follow-up assessment by December 31, 2026, and the smart thermostat offer ends December 31, 2026. Heat pump, solar and appliance pages show no end date.
Do I need a home energy assessment?
No, not for heat pumps, solar, attic insulation alone, smart thermostats or appliances. You need one only for the assessment stream, which requires two or more upgrades and pays higher amounts.
Can tenants apply?
No, for heat pumps, insulation, solar and the assessment stream: only the owner can apply, including for a rented home. The appliance FAQ only requires a residential customer connected to the Ontario grid.
Can I get a rebate for work already done?
No. Heat pumps need pre-approval, solar needs written pre-approval, and assessment-stream upgrades must be done after the initial assessment. Work completed earlier is not eligible.
How long does it take to receive the money?
Heat pump cheques should arrive within 60 days of approval. In the assessment stream, payment takes up to 60 days by cheque or 30 days by Interac e-Transfer. Appliance rebates typically take 4 to 8 weeks.
Can I combine it with the new federal heat pump rebate?
The federal announcement of October 8, 2026 says the new rebate can be combined with provincial programs, but its launch date and rules were not published when we checked. Within the provincial program, heat pump incentives from all sources cannot exceed 100% of the cost.
Do I have to be an Enbridge Gas customer?
No. You qualify either as an Enbridge Gas customer heating mainly with natural gas, or as a home on the Ontario electricity grid heated with electricity, oil, propane or wood. Homes heated with gas from another utility are not eligible.
Related: the federal heat pump rebate (National Heat Pump Rebate) starts with installs from November 1, 2026. We explain the Ontario income limits and why stacking with this program is not yet confirmed.
The bottom line
The Home Renovation Savings program is the first place to look for an Ontario home energy rebate in 2026. Choose the no-assessment stream for a single upgrade such as a heat pump, solar or a smart thermostat, and the assessment stream if you can complete two or three envelope upgrades before the end of the year. Never start work before the approval or assessment your stream requires, hire contractors from the program list where one is required, and keep November 30 and December 31, 2026 in your calendar.
Sources
- Home Renovation Savings, home page and rebates without an assessment, read October 13, 2026 (no update date shown).
- Home Renovation Savings, assessment stream; Terms and Conditions and Additional Program Eligibility Requirements, version November 2025, read October 13, 2026.
- Home Renovation Savings, attic insulation; Terms and Conditions (version December 2025) and Additional Program Eligibility Requirements (version January 2026), read October 13, 2026.
- Home Renovation Savings, heat pumps, solar and battery storage, smart thermostats (Terms and Conditions version January 2026) and appliances, read October 13, 2026.
- Home Renovation Savings, help and support (FAQ) and scam warning, read October 13, 2026.
- Save on Energy, Energy Affordability Program, read October 13, 2026.
- City of Toronto, Home Energy Loan Program, page modified September 28, 2026, read October 13, 2026.
- Government of Canada, announcement of the National Heat Pump Rebate, October 8, 2026, read October 11, 2026.
