how to apply for window rebate in Ontario

Energy Efficient Windows

How to Apply for Window Rebate in Ontario: Your 2025 Guide

Posted July 29, 2025

If you’re wondering how to apply for window rebate in Ontario, this guide will take you through each step! You’ll find all the information needed to successfully claim your rebate, from checking eligibility to submitting your application. We'll also include some other programs you may be eligible for that can help offset the cost of replacing windows.

Key Takeaways

  • To apply for a window rebate in Ontario (the Home Renovation Savings Program), start by booking a pre-retrofit home energy assessment with a registered energy advisor before making any upgrades or purchases. It's not recommended to start working on any upgrades before your application is approved.
  • You must replace at least three window rough openings (or one door, skylight, or sliding door rough opening) with ENERGY STAR-certified products installed by a licensed professional to qualify for the rebate.
  • After installation, schedule a post-retrofit assessment with the same advisor and ensure you keep all receipts and ENERGY STAR labels until this assessment is complete.
  • You’ll receive $100 per qualifying rough opening and a $600 rebate for the energy assessment, with additional incentives available for bundling other energy-efficient upgrades.

Ontario Window Rebates and Other Programs You Can Apply For

If you live in Ontario, you can apply for the Home Renovation Savings Program. We'll discuss below how you can apply for it.

Additionally, you may also be eligible for programs like the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program, the Canada Greener Homes Loan, eco programs designed for CMHC-insured homes, the HST/GST New Housing Rebate, as well as the Ontario New Housing Rebate.

The Ontario government offers window rebates to help Ontario homeowners reduce their overall energy use and decrease their carbon footprint. This initiative is part of a broader effort to combat climate change and promote sustainable living.

The programs promote installing ENERGY STAR-certified windows to reduce energy consumption and improve energy efficiency in homes across the province. Moreover, these rebate programs are not just about environmental benefits. They are designed to provide significant financial relief to homeowners.

Therefore, let's see how you can apply for a window rebate in Ontario!

Applying for the Home Renovation Savings Program

The new Home Renovation Savings Program was launched in January 2025, part of the Ontario government's initiative to invest $10.9 billion over the next 12 years in energy efficiency. It gives homeowners the possibility to apply for single or bundled upgrades.

If you apply for this program, you can receive $600 for a home energy assessment and $100 for each qualified window and door (as well as other reimbursements for other energy-efficient upgrades).

Wondering if you're eligible for the Home Renovation Savings Program? These are the eligibility requirements:

  • You must own your home.
  • You must own a single detached home, a semi-detached home, a row/townhome, or a mobile home on a permanent foundation.
  • You must be an Enbridge Gas customer with an active account. Your house must be heated with a natural gas furnace or boiler. If your house is connected to the Ontario electricity grid and heated with propane, electricity, oil, or wood, you are also eligible for the rebate.
  • New homes do not qualify for this program. The home must have been occupied for at least six months.
  • You have not yet started any renovations.

How to Apply for the Home Renovation Savings Program

Here's how you can apply for the Home Renovation Savings Program:

  1. Before replacing your windows or glass doors, you should complete an initial home energy assessment. This will help you understand which upgrades are recommended for your home.
  2. You will have to complete the online form on the official Home Renovation Savings Program website. The system will provide you with a list of Service Organizations in your area. You can reach out to them to schedule a home energy assessment.
  3. Before purchasing windows or glass doors, keep in mind that they must be ENERGY-STAR certified.
  4. To be eligible for the program, you'll have to upgrade at least:
    • 3 window rough openings or
    • 1 door rough opening or
    • 1 skylight rough opening or
    • 1 sliding door rough opening
  5. Schedule a follow-up energy assessment with the same registered energy advisor.
  6. After the follow-up energy assessment, your energy advisor will submit all the required documents. Then, you will receive your rebates, which amount to $100 per rough opening. You will also receive a $600 rebate for the home energy assessment, but only after you have completed the eligible upgrades.
  7. Additional rebates are available for other energy efficiency improvements, such as exposed floor insulation, air sealing, ground source heat pump units, smart thermostats, solar panels, battery storage, and more.

Further Explanations

For further clarity, replacing only one (1) or two (2) windows in one (1) or two (2) rough openings with ENERGY STAR-certified models will not count as a single Qualified Measure or qualify for a rebate, whereas replacing three (3) windows in three (3) rough openings with ENERGY STAR certified models would constitute a single Qualified Measure and you will receive $300.

How to Apply for the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program

The Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (CGHAP) aims to replace the Canada Greener Homes Grant. It is designed to help low-to-median-income homeowners and tenants who want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and heating and cooling costs.

The greatest thing about this program is that it follows a "direct install" strategy: CGHAP works with a program delivery organization that will handle every detail associated with planning and payments on your behalf. This means you won't have to pay anything to participate or schedule any work for major retrofit projects.

To apply for CGHAP, you will have to submit your application to the relevant program in Ontario. These programs and further details about the CGHAP are still not available.

If you have any questions about CGHAP, you can send an email to [email protected] and keep an eye on the program's official website for updates.

How to Apply for Programs Designed for CMHC Insured Homes

If you are CMHC-insured, you may be eligible for the following programs:

  • The CMHC Eco Improvement program, which offers a refund of 25% on your CMHC mortgage loan insurance premium. To be eligible for this program, you must complete energy-efficient upgrades of at least $20,000. For more details regarding eligibility criteria, check out the official CMHC website. You can apply for this program on the same page.
  • The CMHC Eco Plus program, which offers a 25% partial premium refund if your home is already energy-efficient. To be eligible for this program, you need a certificate that confirms your home's energy efficiency. This certificate is issued by an energy advisor qualified by NRCan. Check out the official CMHC website for more details about the eligibility criteria for the CMHC Eco Plus program. At the bottom of the page, you'll find an online form you need to complete to apply for this program.

Keep in mind that you can only apply for these programs within the first 2 years of the closing date of your mortgage.

How to Apply for the Canada Greener Homes Loan

energy efficient windows

The Canada Greener Homes Loan is an interest-free loan designed for homeowners who want to complete energy-efficient upgrades, typically recommended by energy advisors. The maximum loan amount is $40,000 but the actual loan amount is calculated based on eligible retrofits and the quotes you provide. The loan should be repaid within 10 years.

To be eligible for the Canada Greener Homes Loan, you must:

  • Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident; non-permanent residents who are legally authorized to work in Canada are also eligible.
  • Own the house and live there.
  • Have not yet started any retrofits for which you require the loan.
  • Have a pre-retrofit energy assessment or home evaluation completed after April 1, 2020.
  • Have a good credit history.

If you are applying as an Indigenous government or organization, you can call 1-866-292-9516 for dedicated support. If you live in a northern or off-grid community, you are eligible for an additional 30% of the retrofit amount.

Steps to Apply for the Canada Greener Homes Loan:

Here are the steps to apply for the Canada Greener Homes Loan:

  1. Do not start any work before you submit your application and have it approved. Retrofits started before this are not eligible for the loan. If you start your upgrades after submitting your application and if your application is declined, you will be responsible for all the costs.
  2. Schedule a pre-retrofit evaluation with a service organization in Ontario. An energy advisor will recommend energy-efficient retrofits that are eligible for the Canada Greener Homes Loan. Only these recommendations will be eligible. You cannot add new retrofits after your loan is approved.
  3. Obtain quotes from contractors. The quotes must be clear and provide a detailed summary of all the costs.
  4. Submit your loan application. You can find the list of required documents on the official Natural Resources Canada website.
  5. After your loan is approved, complete your retrofits and keep copies of all the receipts.
  6. Get a post-retrofit evaluation with the same energy advisor.
  7. A portion of the loan (up to 15%) can be advanced upfront to help with contractor deposits.

The HST/GST New Housing Rebate and the Ontario New Housing Rebate

The HST/GST New Housing Rebate and the Ontario New Housing Rebate programs are designed for homeowners who build new homes or complete substantial home renovations. So, if you plan to replace your windows only, you are probably not eligible for these programs. However, if you plan major renovations, you should definitely check the eligibility criteria.

These programs provide a rebate on the Goods and Services Tax, the federal portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax, or the provincial part of the HST paid (in the case of the Ontario New Housing Rebate).

Tips and Mistakes to Avoid

Applying for window rebates can certainly help you save money, but to ensure a smooth process and avoid disqualification, keep these tips and common mistakes in mind:

  • Don’t start any window replacement work before completing the mandatory pre-retrofit home energy assessment with a registered energy advisor. This step is crucial to qualify for rebates.
  • Rebates require that windows and doors be professionally installed. Using certified contractors not only ensures compliance but also helps with paperwork and rebate submissions.
  • Retain your purchase receipts and product specifications and keep ENERGY STAR labels on windows and doors until after the post-retrofit evaluation. Removing labels early is a common cause of rebate denial.
  • For greater savings, you can apply for multiple energy-saving programs. Completing multiple eligible upgrades (two or more upgrades for window rough openings, air sealing, air conditioning, heat pump water heaters, or home insulation) can increase your total rebate amount and may qualify you for additional incentives.
  • Keep in mind that rebates require full window unit replacement (frame and sash). Replacing only the glass panes or sashes is not enough.

Why You Should Consider Magic Windows for Your Energy-Efficient Upgrades?

energy saving windows

If you are looking for new windows or glass doors, why not get the best energy-efficient models in Ontario, designed specifically for the climate in Canada? Here's why Magic products are the best in the industry:

  • Magic windows and glass doors are ENERGY STAR certified, which is a key requirement for most rebate and incentive programs. In fact, many Magic windows and glass doors exceed ENERGY STAR requirements, with energy ratings (ER) as high as 48. This qualifies our products for the "Most Efficient" designation, ensuring top-tier performance in Canada's harsh climate.
  • Magic windows feature a unique Hybrid Fusion Frame that combines the insulating benefits of vinyl with the strength and durability of stainless steel and anodized aluminum. This design provides superior thermal insulation while maintaining rigidity and long-term airtightness, overcoming the weaknesses of conventional vinyl frames that can warp or degrade in Ontario’s fluctuating climate.
  • Our windows and doors feature retractable solar shades (which block up to 97% of UV rays and reduce unwanted heat gain in summer) and thermal blinds (which can improve a window's energy efficiency by 40%).
  • At Magic, we manufacture our own glass units right here in Ontario. This allows us to incorporate high-quality warm-edge spacers and low-E coatings, as well as extend the gas-filled space to 1 inch.
  • Magic's patented Parallex hardware and three-point compression locking system create a highly effective airtight seal, minimizing air leakage and drafts.
  • Our high-performance windows are fully customizable, which means we can personalize them based on your region's climate to minimize heat transfer, keeping consistent indoor temperatures year-round and helping you save energy like never before!

Get in Touch with Magic!

Get in touch with our team to discover how Magic windows and glass doors can transform your comfort, contribute to energy cost savings, and help you qualify for valuable rebates and incentives!

You can contact us anytime for a free, no-obligation consultation! Our experts will guide you through your options, answer your questions about government programs, and help you choose the perfect windows for your home!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a rebate for replacing windows in Ontario?

Yes, there is a rebate for replacing windows in Ontario, more precisely the Home Renovation Savings Program. You may also be eligible for the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program or the Canada Greener Homes Loan.

What rebates are available for windows?

The Home Renovation Savings Program is a newly-launched rebate program for windows. You may also be eligible to apply for other programs like the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program if you want to replace your windows.

Do I need to replace all my windows to qualify for the rebate?

You do not need to replace all your windows; however, you must replace a minimum of three windows in three rough openings to qualify for the rebate.

What is the importance of ENERGY STAR certification for the rebates?

ENERGY STAR certification is crucial for rebates, as it guarantees that windows meet specific energy efficiency standards, resulting in significant long-term energy savings. This certification helps consumers access financial incentives while making environmentally conscious choices.

Can I install the windows myself and still qualify for the rebate?

To qualify for the rebate, you must have your windows installed by a licensed professional contractor. Self-installation will not meet the requirements.

What is the $10,000 rebate program in Ontario?

The $10,000 program in Ontario is the Home Efficiency Rebate Plus program. However, this program is not accepting applicants at the moment.

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