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Unlock Savings with 2025 Window Rebates Ontario: Stay Energy-Efficient & Cost-Effective

| January 18, 2025

Investing in energy-efficient windows has become more than just a trend – it is a necessary step towards sustainable living and financial savings. Therefore, as homeowners face rising energy costs and increasing environmental concerns, the importance of upgrading to energy-efficient windows becomes more apparent. These units significantly reduce heat loss during winter and minimize heat gain in summer, thus lowering energy bills and creating a more comfortable indoor environment, at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

In Ontario, the government recognizes the need for such upgrades, which is why various rebate programs are now available. As such, if you’re looking for more details about window rebates Ontario, keep reading! This article covers all the essentials.

Key Takeaways

  • The Home Efficiency Rebate Plus and the Canada Greener Homes Grant will no longer accept applicants in 2025.
  • Instead, in 2025, you may be eligible to apply for the Home Renovation Savings Program (rebates of up to 35%) and the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program. Given that these are new projects, further details for both programs will be published over the first half of 2025.
  • You may also be eligible to apply for eco programs designed for CMHC-insured homes, for the Canada Greener Homes Loan, the HST/GST New Housing Rebate, and the Ontario New Housing Rebate.
  • ENERGY STAR-certified windows, doors, and skylights are essential for rebate program qualification, as they significantly contribute to energy conservation and can help you reduce energy loss and maximize rebates.
  • Before applying for a rebate program, make sure to check the eligibility criteria for specific products/renovations. Having a Registered Energy Advisor to conduct pre- and post-retrofit evaluations will help you get the most out of 2025 window rebate Ontario programs and federal and provincial incentives.

Ontario’s 2025 Window Rebate Programs

If you’re a homeowner in Ontario, you can benefit from window rebate programs that will help you save energy and reduce heating and cooling costs while contributing to a greener future. Before discussing more details about the 2025 programs available for Ontario, please note that the Home Efficiency Rebate Plus Program (HER+) and the Canada Greener Homes Grant offered by Natural Resources Canada are no longer accepting applicants.

As such, in 2025, homeowners in Ontario may be eligible for two major programs: the Home Renovation Savings Program and the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program, both of which have been announced only recently.

1. Home Renovation Savings Program

The Home Renovation Savings Program will be launched on January 28, 2025. It is part of the energy efficiency programs launched by the Ontario government that aim to invest $10.9 billion over 12 years in energy efficiency – the largest investment of this kind in Canadian history. It will rebate homeowners up to 30% of their energy-efficient renovations and improvements, which include windows and doors.

Homeowners will be able to receive:

  • $600 for a home energy assessment
  • Up to $8,900 for insulation
  • $100 for each qualified window and door
  • Up to $250 for air sealing
  • $500 for qualified heat pump water heaters.

Later in 2025, homeowners will also be able to apply for rebates for various energy efficient appliances, such as freezers and refrigerators. Additionally, this program will also be available for homeowners heating their houses by propane and oil, not only with electricity.

It is believed that by 2036, this energy strategy encouraging homeowners to invest in energy efficient renovations will help ratepayers save $12.2 billion in electricity system costs. According to Sam Oosterhoff, Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries, “[t]his investment reflects our government’s determination to build a resilient energy system that powers economic growth and strengthens communities across the province.”

As such, if you’re interested in this program, be the first to know when it’s live by signing up today on the official website.

2. Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program

Starting from the first half of 2025, homeowners will be able to apply for the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (CGHAP), which aims to replace the Canada Greener Homes Grant. This program is backed by a budget of $800 million over five years. It is designed for low-to-median income homeowners, as well as tenants, who want to reduce monthly energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions.

This program will follow a “direct install” model, which means you won’t have to take care of anything related to planning and paying for home retrofits. Instead, a program delivery organization will handle everything, and you won’t need to pay out of your pocket, including for your home’s energy assessment.

To participate in the program, you will have to submit an application relevant to your specific province or territory – in this case, Ontario. All the relevant links will be available by mid-2025 on the official website.

Additionally, you can participate in the CGHAP while also applying for the Canada Greener Homes Loan.

Other Programs You Can Apply For

Besides the two programs mentioned above, you may be eligible for various federal and provincial incentives, as well as for the Canada Greener Homes Loan and two programs for CMHC-insured homes.

1. Programs for CMHC Insured Homes

CMHC-insured homes can benefit from two CMHC programs:

  • The CMHC Eco Improvement program, which offers homeowners a refund of 25% on their CMHC mortgage loan insurance premium if they complete energy-efficient renovations that cost at least $20,000 to recently purchased homes.
  • The CMHC Eco Plus program, which offers homeowners who are CMHC-insured a 25% partial premium refund if they are already living in an energy-efficient home. To qualify for this program, you’ll need an energy efficiency certificate, which is provided by an energy advisor qualified by NRCan.

You can apply for both programs within 2 years of the closing date of your mortgage by downloading and completing an application form.

2. Canada Greener Homes Loan

The Canada Greener Homes Loan is designed to offer financial help to homeowners who want to make their homes more energy-efficient. This interest-free loan can help finance eligible retrofits recommended by energy advisors. However, it is important to apply for the loan before starting any retrofit work.

The maximum loan amount for window replacements is $40,000 and should be repaid within 10 years. This amount is calculated based on specific retrofits and capped based on industry standards. If the loan is approved, part of it can be delivered up front, and you can use it to pay any deposits required by the contractor. The rest of the loan will be delivered when the renovations are completed and evaluated.

3. The HST/GST New Housing Rebate

While the HST/GST New Housing Rebate program is not designed particularly for homeowners who want to replace windows, it can still be worth considering under certain circumstances. More precisely, it is a federal government program that provides a rebate on the Goods and Services Tax or the Harmonized Sales Tax. It is for homeowners who purchase a new home or who make substantial renovations to an existing home.

The housing rebate is worth 36% of the Goods and Services Tax or the federal portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax paid on a newly built home, reaching a maximum of $6,300. It is available for homes whose market value is less than $450,000.

Replacing your windows with more energy-efficient units will likely not be enough for the renovation to be considered a “substantial renovation.” However, if you are renovating other parts of your house besides your windows, such as the foundation, external walls, floors, or staircases, you may be eligible for this rebate program.

4. Ontario New Housing Rebate

The Ontario New Housing Rebate is similar to the HST/GST New Housing Rebate. This rebate provides up to 75% of the provincial part of the HST paid, reaching a maximum of $24,000. This provincial rebate may be available for homes valued above $450,000 that are newly built or substantially renovated and intended for use as primary residences.

Similar to the HST/GST New Housing Rebate, you may be eligible for the Ontario New Housing Rebate only if you perform major renovations, which include replacing your windows with more energy-efficient options.

Understanding ENERGY STAR Models & Certifications

ENERGY STAR-certified windows are approximately 20% more energy efficient than standard models. For doors, this percentage stands at 15%. This can help you improve your home energy performance and potentially increase rebate values.

Before choosing the right model, it is important to know that different climate zones require different labels to ensure the maximum energy-efficient upgrades.

If you want to compare Energy Star-certified models and their energy efficiency criteria, you can do so on the official website of the National Resources Canada department. The product database mentions not only the U-factor and the Solar Heat Gain of all products but also an energy rating, which reflects the balance between heat transfer, air leakage, and solar gain. The higher the energy rating, the slower the heat transfer.

Magic products are present in the database as well under the CTW(NuView/Magic Window) brand name. Most of our windows have a 30+ energy rating, some reaching a rating of 48, thus being included in the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient database. Our sliding glass doors have made it to the Most Efficient list as well.

Choosing ENERGY STAR’s most efficient models, like Magic‘s, can help you get higher rebates while saving more energy. These models can help you prevent condensation and eliminate drafts, making your home both more comfortable and energy efficient.

Maximizing Your Rebates: Tips & Strategies

Although there are plenty of programs you can apply for, it’s important to make sure that your project matches the eligibility criteria, which can help maximize your rebates. In this regard, it’s important to choose suitable products and plan your upgrades strategically.

Choosing Eligible Products

To qualify for Ontario window rebate programs or other rebate programs for home renovations, you should look through the eligibility criteria thoroughly and carefully choose suitable products. Opting for ENERGY STAR certified or ENERGY STAR Most Efficient windows and doors can help maximize your rebate program potential. Replacing the entire window unit, including the frame, is one of the requirements to qualify for Ontario window rebate programs.

Additionally, the labels should stay on windows and doors until the post-retrofit evaluation, which can help ensure you qualify for the refund.

Timing Your Upgrades

Some rebate programs have limited available funds and operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s crucial to schedule your rebate program evaluations, as well as renovations, on time. Acting quickly will maximize your rebates and ensure a smooth and efficient upgrade process. This is why it may be a good idea to learn everything there is to know about available rebate programs or renovation loans even before starting any renovations.

Additional Energy-Efficient Retrofits & Incentives

Windows and doors aren’t the only parts of your home that contribute to its energy efficiency. Therefore, you may be able to receive refunds for other upgrades, including:

  • Upgrading home insulation (including wall insulation and exposed floor insulation)
  • Air sealing
  • Adding a thermostat
  • Replacing space and water heaters with more energy-efficient options
  • Installing renewable energy systems, solar photovoltaic systems that convert sunlight energy into electricity

Navigating the Application Process

Even though the advantages of energy-efficient upgrades are evident, the rebate application process can be a bit overwhelming. This process highly depends on the program you’re applying for and its eligibility criteria. For example, you may have to find a registered energy advisor who can help you complete the application process, complete a thorough home examination, and provide upgrade recommendations. You can rely on Energy Advisors Ontario to find a Registered Energy Advisor.

During a pre-retrofit energy assessment, the energy advisor will take photos and measure various required areas, as well as conduct a test to identify any air leakage that must be dealt with. Afterwards, they will develop a personalized plan that will improve your home’s energy efficiency and help you qualify for rebate programs and incentives.

Furthermore, the post-retrofit evaluation shows the home’s energy cost savings and greenhouse gas emissions reduction from the completed retrofits.

Install the Most Energy-Efficient Windows with Magic!

If you are looking for ENERGY STAR-certified windows that are manufactured specifically to withstand the weather in Ontario and minimize your energy consumption, you can book a free consultation with Magic, during which one of our specialists will tell you everything there is to know about our windows and glass doors! This way, you will be able to make an informed decision in regard to whether our products are a good addition to your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a rebate for replacing windows in Ontario in 2025?

In 2025, you may be eligible for the Home Renovation Savings Program and the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program if you want to improve energy efficiency in your home by replacing windows.

What are the Ontario window rebates for 2025?

Ontario offers two major rebate programs: the Home Renovation Savings Program and the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program, with rebates of up to 35%.

What is the $5,000 rebate program in Ontario?

The $5,000 rebate program in Ontario is the Canada Greener Homes Grant, but it does not accept applicants anymore.

What is the $40,000 interest-free loan from Canada Energy?

The $40,000 interest-free loan can be received by applying for the Canada Greener Homes Loan, which is offered to Ontario homeowners who want to make their homes more energy-efficient.

What are the benefits of energy-efficient windows and doors?

Lower energy costs, reducing environmental impact, living in a healthier and more comfortable home, and saving money are just some of the benefits of switching to energy-efficient windows and doors.

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