Canada Greener Homes Grant Has Ended: What’s Next for Homeowners?
Feb 13, 2024
Sep 26, 2024
3 min read
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The Canada Greener Homes Grant, a cornerstone of the federal government’s initiative to promote energy-efficient home renovations, has officially closed its doors to new applicants, signalling an end to a once-in-generation government program that exceeded expectations in demand.
“The Canada Greener Homes Grant is no longer accepting new applicants. Homeowners who have already completed their online registration and have an application number are encouraged to proceed in a timely manner with their retrofits and will continue to be eligible for funding and support through the Canada Greener Homes portal,” says Natural Resources Canada.
Greener Homes Grant: Statistics and Results
Launched in December 2020, the program aimed to assist homeowners in making their residences more energy-efficient, offering up to $5,000 for various eco-friendly renovations and an additional $600 to cover the cost of a required home energy audit.
Despite an initial end date projected around March 2027, the program has been forced to close several years earlier due to a surge in applications, stretching its $2.6 billion budget to its limits. As of the end of January, nearly 550,000 families had applied, with the program issuing grants for upgrades such as heat pumps, solar panels, and windows & doors, among others. This surge in interest, particularly in the last few months, has led to the early closure, with daily applications jumping from an average of 475 to as high as 1,200 per day.
The program’s closure is not without its consequences. Energy audit companies, which saw a temporary boom due to the program, are now predicting significant layoffs across the sector. This anticipated downturn is a stark reminder of the program’s impact on the Canadian energy efficiency and auditing industry.
What’s Next For Homeowners?
Even though the program no longer accepts new applicants, homeowners who managed to apply in time have their funds allocated. Those with an application number are encouraged to proceed with their retrofits in a timely manner, as they will remain eligible for funding and support through the Canada Greener Homes portal.
While the federal program may have ended, many provincial rebates and loans are still available for supporting energy-efficient renovations. Homeowners are advised to contact their contractors to learn more about the opportunities open to them. At Ecoline Windows, we are happy to consult our clients on how to claim the maximum provincial rebates and loans when buying and installing new windows & doors. These programs remain a vital resource for those looking to make their homes more energy-efficient and sustainable while saving big on renovations.