Government incentives promoting energy retrofits are gaining in popularity as environmental considerations become increasingly important. Programs like Rénoclimat and the Canada Greener Homes Loan offer attractive financial solutions to owners who can receive grants to change windows and doors. Let’s review the benefits and how to take advantage to make your home more energy efficient.
Rénoclimat
Introducing Rénoclimat financial assistance
Quebec’s Rénoclimat program is a leading option for owners who want to improve the energy performance in their home and achieve significant cost savings. Receiving an amount to replace doors and windows is one of the various assistance options provided by Rénoclimat.
The amount of funding is calculated based on the number of rough openings in a wall or roof (these are the structural frames into which windows or doors fit). The specific amount is $60 for each, whether it’s a door, window or skylight being replaced.
Eligibility requirements
Are you eligible for this program? Doors, windows and skylights must be ENERGY STAR-certified and installed in an existing frame. This means that replacing a door without a frame does not qualify for financial assistance.
How to apply
A Rénoclimat energy advisor has to do a pre-retrofit energy evaluation of your home before you can apply for a grant. This person identifies work that needs to be done and targets your potential energy savings. Go to the Rénoclimat program website to access the registration form. Please note that the form is only available in French.
The next step is to choose ENERGY STAR-certified doors and windows for the replacement, then have renovation work carried out with the help of RenoAssistance. The Verified Contractor leading your project will be able to follow recommendations outlined in the Rénoclimat energy advisor’s report.
You need to fill out a form again after doors and windows have been replaced to request a post-work energy evaluation. You will receive the amount of financial assistance as agreed if the changes made have improved your home’s energy efficiency.
Steps to follow
1. Use the online form to schedule the first visit by a Rénoclimat energy advisor. They will calculate your home’s EnerGuide rating.
2. Select ENERGY STAR-certified doors and windows.
3. Contact RenoAssistance to find a Verified Contractor to carry out the door and window replacement work. Note that this contractor can also help you pick the right models.
4. Schedule a second appointment using the Rénoclimat online form.
5. An amount will be sent to you as long as everything is in order!
Canada Greener Homes Loan
Introducing the federal assistance program
The Canada Greener Homes Loan promotes the transition to eco-friendly housing. The Government of Canada wants to promote energy efficiency and environmental sustainability in the residential sector by proposing this economic assistance.
This Canadian program gives homeowners the possibility of accessing an interest-free loan (with a repayment term of up to 10 years) to finance energy efficient improvements in their home, such as the addition of new energy efficient windows. Be aware that the amount awarded is calculated according to the renovations selected (reducing air infiltration or adding a smart thermostat are a few examples), as well as the corresponding estimates.
Eligibility requirements
You have to own a home in Canada to be eligible and use it as your primary residence (single family, condo, rowhouse or mobile home).
Any work to be carried out has to be recommended in a pre-retrofit energy evaluation and identified in the request you submitted. Important to note: No work can be started before you fill out the form.
How the application process works
You have to fill out a form online the Canada Greener Homes Loan portal to access this federal grant. When your application is approved, an energy advisor will evaluate the renovations required, following which an inspector will verify that all eligible retrofits were done according to the rules.
Registration process
1. Submit an application online using the form available on the Canada Greener Homes Loan portal.
2. Get any work to be done evaluated by an energy efficiency advisor (EnerGuide evaluation).
3. Contact RenoAssistance to find a Verified Contractor to put in charge of the door and window replacement work.
4. Schedule an appointment with an inspector on the Canada Greener Homes Loan portal.
5. Manage any loan advance and receipt of the loan amount.
6. Repay the loan.
Need a quote to replace your windows? Call a renovation advisor at RenoAssistance.
Remplacing doors and windows
LogisVert project by Hydro-Québec
Introducing the financial assistance
Hydro-Québec’s LogisVert program is another financial support initiative for owners and renters to undertake energy retrofits in their home. This a solution to look at if you don’t want to replace your windows but are still interested in preventing cold drafts from coming in and warm air from leaking out.
Eligible energy efficiency measures include efficient heat pumps (receive up to $6700 in financial assistance) and roof insulation and caulking (receive $1,500 in financial assistance).
Looking for some guidance to undertake this type of work? RenoAssistance can walk you through the process.
Eligibility criteria
The program is open to residential customers, including homeowners, renters, installation and construction companies. Companies tasked to carry out the work must be registered with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec and have the appropriate licences from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ). This is also the case for RenoAssistance Verified Contractors.
In order to receive financial assistance after roof insulation and caulking work, you have to be the owner of an eligible house, defined as a home located in Quebec, suitable for year-round living, mainly heated by electricity and supplied with electricity from the Hydro-Québec system, an off-grid system or a municipal or cooperative system.¹ Each home can only take advantage of this measure once.
How the application process works
Benefit from financial assistance by submitting an application after implementing energy efficiency measures such as roof insulation and caulking work or the purchase and installation of a heat pump. Please note that the LogisVert web portal is only available in French.
You’ll have to provide some information: proof of ownership as well as proof of purchase and installation (such as an e-copy of the invoice(s) showing work has been carried out).
Importance of energy retrofits for homeowners
There are multiple environmental and economic long-term benefits to getting energy retrofits done. Take a look at how these changes made to your property can positively impact your bank account and the planet’s health!
Lower your energy bill
You can reduce your electricity consumption and therefore your monthly spending by replacing your old windows, optimizing your home’s wall insulation and installing a more efficient heating and cooling system.
Increasing your property value
Nowadays, house hunters are increasingly aware of the importance of energy efficiency and home performance improvements. They are also sometimes willing to pay more for a place that will provide energy savings. By investing in energy improvements, you could make your property more attractive on the market and increase its potential resale value.
Replacing the insulation in your home can help maintain a constant indoor temperature and so reduce its heating and cooling needs. Opting for new doors and focusing on window upgrades are also worthwhile initiatives to limit heat and cool loss.
Boosting home comfort
Improving the interior comfort of your home also depends on the changes you can make to it. Consider the condition of your doors and windows. Replacing them reduces temperature fluctuations and drafts, which creates a more pleasant environment for home occupants.
Remember that RenoAssistance is there to help your ideas take shape so you can accomplish your renovation projects.
Start an energy retrofit project¹ HYDRO-QUÉBEC. LogisVert program, Roof insulation and caulking, [Online], 2024. [LogisVert Program | Residential customers (hydroquebec.com)] (Viewed April 22, 2024).
