Canada Greener Homes Grant

Interest in the Canada Greener Homes Grant is very high and our contracted delivery partners are working hard to keep up with demand. Homeowners can expect wait times to vary to have an energy assessment and you may be placed on a waitlist. We ask that customers not place their names on multiple waitlists. The Canada Greener Homes Grant is a multi-year program and we thank you for your patience as we work with delivery partners to meet the high demand for assessments across the province.

How to Receive Your Greener Homes Grant

The Greener Homes initiative offers grants of up to $5,000 to help homeowners make energy efficiency retrofits to their primary residences. To qualify, Canadians must obtain an EnerGuide assessment prior to installing any upgrades.

To qualify, homeowners must verify their home meets program eligibility requirements and obtain a pre-retrofit EnerGuide home energy evaluation before completing at least one retrofit that is both eligible and recommended by their energy advisor in their report.

The amount a homeowner pays for a Home Energy Assessment is $199. Homeowners who qualify for the Greener Homes program and install at least one eligible Greener Homes retrofit recommended by your energy advisor will be reimbursed $100 following your post-retrofit evaluation.

More details on the Canada Greener Homes grants are available here: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy-efficiency/homes/canada-greener-homes-grant/23441

1. Who is eligible?

Only one homeowner per home can register. You will be required to provide provide proof of ownership by having a copy of your property tax bill on hand for the D assessmen tand demonstrate the property is your primary residence through either a driver’s license or government-issued ID (with address).

2. How do I apply?

Residents of Nova Scotia need to apply by booking a Home Energy Assessment with one of Efficiency Nova Scotia’s approved Energy Advisors. You do not need to register or login to the Greener Homes program through Natural Resources Canada’s website.

3. Which retrofits are eligible for grants?

To be eligible for grants, you must complete at least one of the eligible retrofits that is recommended by your energy advisor. Eligible retrofits include:

Home insulation (up to $5,000)
Air-sealing (up to $1,000)
Windows and doors ($125 per window or $250 per door)
Thermostats (up to $50, must be combined with another retrofit)
Heat pumps (up to $5,000) and heat pump water heaters (up to $1,000)
Solar panels (up to $5,000)
Resiliency measures (up to $1,000)

The full list of eligible grants for retrofits are available here.

4. Is there financing available?

Before starting renovations, homeowners who are eligible for the Canada Greener Homes Grant and who wish to make major renovations to their homes may be eligible for an interest-free loan of up to $40,000 through the Canada Greener Homes Loan to finance these renovations. For more information, visit the program’s webpage or begin your application.

5. Is there a cost to register/apply?

Residents of Nova Scotia pay $199 to enroll, which helps cover the cost of both the pre- and post-retrofit evaluations. Most of the cost of the evaluations (more than 80%) is paid for by Efficiency Nova Scotia. If you complete at least one eligible retrofit that is recommended by your energy advisor, you will be reimbursed $100 for your evaluations.

6. How long will it take to receive my rebates/grants?

Homeowners typically receive your provincial rebates 6-8 weeks after you complete your post-retrofit evaluation. Efficiency Nova Scotia shares your file with Natural Resources Canada, and NRCan will then contact you to confirm your federal grant eligibility and start the reimbursement process.

7. What’s the maximum rebate/grant I can receive?

Residents of Nova Scotia may qualify for up to $5,000 in provincial rebates and up to $5,000 in federal rebates through the Home Energy Assessment program. Homeowners interested in installing solar PV systems can choose to participate in either the Home Energy Assessment program to receive a rebate capped at $1.00/Watt up to $5,000 OR the SolarHomes program to receive a rebate capped at $0.30/Watt up to $3,000. Nova Scotians who participate in the SolarHomes program are still eligible to participate in the Home Energy Assessment program to receive provincial and federal rebates for other efficiency measures, such as insulation.

8. Will my heat pump qualify for the Greener Homes grant?

To be eligible to receive a grant, your energy advisor must recommend a heat pump in their report, a minimum of two indoor head units are required (ductless systems), and the system must be sized to provide heat for the entire home. Ensure you choose a rebate eligible heat pump before installing.

Centrally Ducted Air Source Heat Pumps (PDF)
Thermopompes à air centrales avec conduits (PDF)
Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pumps (PDF)
Thermopompes biblocs sans conduits (PDF)

The specific system needs to be determined in consultation with a heat pump contractor, taking into account other planned building envelope upgrades. More details can be found here.

9. Can my contractor receive my rebate to offset financing costs?

No, only the homeowner is eligible to receive any rebates/grants.

10. What if I don’t want to wait for an evaluation?

An evaluation is the best way to know which upgrades will maximize your home’s energy savings. You can still access rebates for upgrades like heat pumps and solar PV systems through other Efficiency Nova Scotia programs without an EnerGuide evaluation.