⚠️ Verify program status before applying. Federal home energy programs have changed repeatedly. Confirm the Loan’s current status at natural resources Canada (nrcan.gc.ca); this page reflects the program as of mid-2026 but cannot guarantee current availability.

The Canada Greener Homes Grant (up to $5,000) ended in May 2024. The Canada Greener Homes Loan, a separate, interest-free financing program up to $40,000, continued operations after the Grant closed. This page covers the Loan only.

Grant vs Loan: What Changed

Canada Greener Homes Grant Canada Greener Homes Loan
Status Closed (ended May 2024) Open (verify at NRCan)
Type Direct payment, you keep the money Repayable loan at 0% interest
Maximum $5,000 $40,000
Repayment None Up to 10 years
Who administers NRCan NRCan

If you applied for or received the Grant, that program is done. The Loan is a separate application and separate funding bucket.

What the Loan Covers

The Canada Greener Homes Loan is available for eligible home energy upgrades, which have included:

  • Heat pumps (air-source and ground-source)
  • Heat pump water heaters
  • Insulation (attic, walls, basement)
  • Windows and doors (energy-efficient replacement)
  • Air sealing
  • Smart thermostats (as an eligible measure)
  • Solar panel systems

Smart thermostat note: Smart thermostats have been an eligible measure under the Greener Homes umbrella, but they represent a small fraction of the loan limit. Homeowners typically access the Loan for major measures (heat pumps, insulation) and claim utility rebates for thermostats separately.

Eligibility

As of mid-2026, the Canada Greener Homes Loan required:

  • Canadian homeowner (not renters)
  • Primary residence (not investment property or secondary home)
  • EnerGuide home energy evaluation before and after eligible upgrades (a licensed energy auditor assesses your home)
  • Upgrades must meet program specifications

The EnerGuide audit requirement is key: You need to book an energy audit before starting work. Some homeowners begin work before applying and discover they’re ineligible. Book the audit first, get approved, then proceed.

How It Pairs With Provincial and Utility Rebates

The Loan and provincial/utility rebates are designed to work together, not compete:

The Loan covers costs the rebates don’t: Rebates reduce your upfront cost. The Loan finances what remains interest-free. For a $20,000 heat pump with $7,000 in combined provincial/federal rebates, the Loan can finance the remaining $13,000 at 0% over 10 years.

Rebates reduce Loan repayment: Since rebates are paid after installation, they can be applied directly to Loan repayment when received.

Order of operations:
1. Book EnerGuide home energy audit
2. Receive audit recommendations
3. Apply for Loan (get approved)
4. Install eligible upgrades
5. Book post-retrofit audit
6. Claim provincial and utility rebates
7. Apply Loan + rebate funds to total project cost

See Stacking Home Energy Rebates in Canada for a worked example showing all three funding layers together.

Where Smart Thermostats Fit

A smart thermostat is rarely the primary reason to access the Greener Homes Loan, since the Loan is most valuable for large-cost upgrades like heat pumps. But thermostats intersect in two ways:

As a qualifying measure: If you’re already going through the Greener Homes Loan process for a heat pump, the smart thermostat may qualify as an additional eligible measure, adding minor value to an already-open application.

As a standalone utility rebate: For most homeowners, the right approach is to use the Greener Homes Loan for the heat pump and access your utility’s thermostat rebate separately, a faster, simpler process with no audit requirement.

Smart Thermostat Rebates in Canada by Province (current utility rebate amounts by province)

Thermostat picks that qualify for Canadian energy programs: ecobee Premium, ecobee Enhanced, Mysa V2 (ENERGY STAR, rebate eligibility, relevant programs)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Canada Greener Homes Grant still available?
No. The Canada Greener Homes Grant (up to $5,000) ended in May 2024. The Canada Greener Homes Loan (interest-free, up to $40,000) continued after the Grant closed. Verify current Loan availability at NRCan, since programs change.

How does the Canada Greener Homes Loan work?
It’s an interest-free loan of up to $40,000 for eligible home energy upgrades. You borrow the money, install approved upgrades, and repay over up to 10 years at 0% interest. An EnerGuide home energy evaluation is required before and after upgrades.

Does a smart thermostat qualify for the Canada Greener Homes Loan?
Smart thermostats have been listed among eligible measures, but they represent a small fraction of the $40,000 limit. The Loan is primarily accessed for major measures like heat pumps and insulation. For thermostats, the utility rebate (no audit required) is the faster route.

Can I still get money back for home energy upgrades after the Grant ended?
Yes, from provincial and utility programs, which are separate from the federal Grant. Many provinces have their own heat pump and thermostat rebate programs. Utilities across Canada have ongoing ENERGY STAR thermostat rebate programs. The federal Loan provides interest-free financing alongside these rebates.

Do I need an energy audit for a thermostat rebate?
No. Utility thermostat rebate programs (Enbridge Gas, BC Hydro, etc.) don’t require an energy audit. They typically require purchasing an ENERGY STAR certified model and submitting a rebate form. The EnerGuide audit is required for the Canada Greener Homes Loan process, not for utility rebates.