Home energy rebates: what to check before you upgrade

Check the rules before you sign a contract or buy equipment. Many home energy rebates need something done first, such as pre-approval, an energy assessment or a registered contractor, and skipping a step can cost you the whole rebate.

This post is a short checklist. For the full picture of how home rebates work across Canada, read the homeowner's guide to energy rebates.

Do I need approval before I start?

Often, yes. Some programs ask you to register or apply before any work begins, and they won't pay for an upgrade installed before that. Others let you claim after the work is done, as long as you meet their rules. There is no single answer, so read the program page for the rebate you want.

The general lesson is the same as for any funding: apply before you spend. If the program page is unclear, contact the program and keep their answer in writing.

Do I need an energy assessment?

Some programs, especially ones that bundle several upgrades, ask for a home energy assessment. An energy advisor visits, measures how your home uses and loses energy, and gives you a report with suggested upgrades.

When a program asks for an assessment, watch the order:

Before the work. The first assessment records your starting point. If you upgrade first, you may not be able to prove what changed.
The upgrades. Do the work the program covers, ideally the ones your report recommends.
After the work. Some programs ask for a second assessment to confirm the upgrades were done.

Does my contractor matter?

It can. Some rebates only pay when the work is done by a contractor registered with the program, or when the installer holds a certain trade qualification. Before you hire, ask:

Are you registered with this rebate program, if it has a contractor list?
Will the equipment you're quoting meet the program's efficiency rules? Ask for the model number.
Will your invoice show what the program needs to see?

The rebate is yours to claim, so check their answers against the program page. Be careful with anyone who promises a rebate amount before you've checked, or who asks for fees to "unlock" a government rebate. Our page on how to spot a grant scam explains the warning signs.

What paperwork should I keep?

Keep everything until your rebate is paid, and a while after:

Your pre-approval or registration confirmation, if there is one
Quotes and the signed contract
Itemized invoices with the equipment make and model, the installation address and the date
Proof of payment
Energy assessment reports, before and after
Photos of the work and any labels on new equipment
Emails or letters from the program

Missing invoices are one of the most common reasons claims get held up. Our post on getting paid: claims and reports has more on the claim step.

Who offers home energy rebates?

Rebates come from three kinds of funders, and you may be able to use more than one:

Your utility. Electricity and gas companies run their own rebates and free programs. In British Columbia, see BC Hydro home rebates and FortisBC rebates and offers. In Ontario, see Enbridge Gas home rebates.
Your province. In British Columbia, the CleanBC Better Homes rebate finder shows what fits your home and household. In Ontario, the Home Renovation Savings Program offers rebates on several upgrades.
The federal government. The Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program offers free retrofits to lower-income households, delivered through programs in participating provinces rather than applied for directly.

Utility and provincial programs are sometimes run together, so one application may cover both. Our post on federal, provincial and city funding layers explains how the levels fit together.

Can I combine rebates?

Sometimes. Some programs are designed to be used together; others say you can't be paid twice for the same upgrade. The rules for combining are called stacking, and each program sets its own. Read our post on whether you can combine grants, then check each program page before you count on two rebates for the same item.

What should I do first?

Use the funding check to see which programs fit your home and where you live.
Read each program page: who qualifies, what's covered, and what must happen before work starts.
Book an energy assessment if a program needs one.
Get quotes from contractors who meet the program's rules.
Apply or register, then wait for confirmation if it's required.
Do the work and keep every document.
Claim your rebate promptly.

You can also browse everything under energy programs, programs for homeowners, or what's closing soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a rebate for work I've already finished?

Sometimes, but not always. Programs that need pre-approval or an assessment before the work usually won't pay for an upgrade already installed. Check the program page; if it isn't clear, ask the program before you claim.

Is a rebate the same as a grant?

They're close. A rebate pays you back part of what you spent after you buy or install something, while a grant is usually approved for a project before it happens. Neither is a loan you repay. Our post on grants, loans and tax credits explains the differences.

Do I have to pay someone to apply for a home rebate?

No. Home rebate programs are free to apply to, and you can do it yourself. Be wary of anyone who charges a fee to "secure" a rebate.

I rent my home. Can I get a rebate?

Some programs include tenants, and some upgrades need the owner's agreement. The Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program is open to some tenants as well as homeowners. Check the program page, and talk to your landlord before any work.

This article explains how funding generally works. Each program sets its own rules, amounts and dates: check the program page and the funder’s site before you apply. A CanGrant editor hasn’t reviewed this article yet.