Applications for the Home Energy Loan Program are now open.

 

Join the City of Toronto and Clean Air Partnership for the Ask an Expert Renovation Webinar Series on Wednesday, April 10, at noon for How to Choose a Contractor. Learn which contractors to work with, who you should trust to guide you through the entire journey, and what questions you should ask potential contractors. Register here.

To sign up for more webinars in the series, including the upcoming monthly HELP Information Webinar on March 20 at 12 noon, see the Webinars and Events tab below.

Making your home more energy efficient is one of the most substantial actions homeowners can take to reduce the emissions contributing to climate change. Through the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP), Toronto homeowners can borrow up to $125,000 to cover the cost of home energy improvements, such as:
  • Air-source heat pumps
  • Window/door replacements
  • Insulation: basement/attic/exterior wall
  • Air sealing (e.g. weather stripping or caulking)
  • Geothermal systems
  • High-efficiency water heaters
  • High-efficiency furnaces/boilers/air conditioners
  • Tankless water heaters
  • Drain-water heat recovery systems
  • Toilet replacements
  • Solar hot water systems
  • Rooftop solar PV panels
  • Electric vehicle charging stations (Level 2)
  • Battery storage

HELP makes it easy and affordable for homeowners to pay for home improvements over time and access rebates offered by utility companies and the Federal government. Once funding is approved, homeowners can hire the contractor of their choice and complete their renovations.

Note: Projects that include any of the following measures: solar, windows, geothermal and/or heat pumps are eligible for a 20-year term.

You may qualify for a low-interest loan through HELP if:

  • you own a detached, semi-detached, or row house in the City of Toronto (the property’s postal code must start with an “M”);
  • all of the property owners on title consent to participate in the program;
  • you do not have more than three instances of a property tax or utility account being 60 days past due in the last three years; and
  • you obtain written consent from your mortgage lender if applicable*.

*If your property is subject to a mortgage, we will send you a customized Lender Consent Form.

You may combine HELP with energy efficiency rebates and incentives from the City of Toronto, the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada and utility companies. View all loans and rebates available.

Step 1: Complete an Application Form

Complete the online application form.

Once the City receives and approves your application, we will send you a funding offer that states the maximum amount your property is eligible to receive through the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP). If your home is subject to a mortgage, we will provide a letter and form for you to give to your mortgage lender. Your mortgage lender’s consent is required before the City can send you a funding offer.

Step 2: Home Energy Assessment and Funding Request

a. Book a home energy assessment with an Energy Advisor registered by Natural Resources Canada

The assessment will include a basement-to-attic assessment of your home’s insulation, heating and cooling systems, and detect any air leaks or drafts.

When the assessment is complete, you will receive:

  • a Renovation Upgrade Report with recommendations for specific improvements
  • an EnerGuide¹ rating based on your home’s current energy performance
  • information on available incentives and rebates

For a list of Energy Advisors and information on incentives and rebates available for home energy assessments, visit Enbridge Gas.

b. Submit your funding request

Determine which improvements you wish to make and get quotes from the contractor(s) of your choice based on your goals, budget and recommendations of the Energy Advisor.

Your funding request will include:

  • a list of the improvements you intend to undertake;
  • details and cost estimates based on contractor quote(s); and
  • the estimated incentive and rebate amounts available to you from the utility companies.

Step 3: Property Owner Agreement

Once the City approves your Funding Request, we will send you a Property Owner Agreement (POA), the funding agreement between the property owner(s) and the City.

You must sign the POA and return to the City. Once the City approves the POA, we can provide, if requested, up to 30 percent of the funds to help you get your project underway.

Step 4: Complete Your Improvements and Submit Your Project Completion Report

Homeowners assume full responsibility for the work performed, which includes selecting, hiring and paying contractors²and obtaining all required municipal and/or provincial permits, if applicable.

When your project is complete, book your post-retrofit home energy assessment with your Energy Advisor. The Advisor will verify the improvements and provide a new EnerGuide¹ rating for your home.

Submit a Project Completion Report signed by your Energy Advisor, along with your contractor’s invoices and your new EnerGuide rating label. The City will then provide you with the remaining funds for your project.

Step 5: Repay the Loan Over Time Via your property tax bill

Once your project is complete, the City will notify you when your loan payments will begin. You will be enrolled in the City’s Pre-Authorized Tax Payment program and repay the City via 11 monthly instalments per year over the term of your loan. Loan payments made via the property tax bill are treated in the same manner and subject to the same penalties, remedies and lien priorities.

You may pay the outstanding balance to clear the loan from your property at any time during the loan term. Early repayment will be subjected to a Revenue Services service fee.

[¹] EnerGuide is an official mark of Natural Resources Canada
[²] The City has prepared Choosing a Contractor to assist you in this process.

The following processing times currently apply from the date of email or submission of all required program documents:

Request Type

Estimated Lead Time

Email correspondence 2 business days
Application review and response from the City 5 – 7 business days
Funding offer after the City receives your approved Lender Consent 5 – 7 business days
Creation of the Property Owners Agreement after the City receives your funding request up to 15 business days
Project Completion review, final disbursement payment and file closure 10 business days
Repayment of HELP 60 days after file closure

 

 

The following rates and terms are valid until March 31, 2024:
Terms Fixed Interest Rate
5 years 3.72%
10 years 4.00%
15 years 4.27%
20 years** 4.29%
  • An administrative charge of two per cent (2%), which reflects the City’s cost of administering the program, will be added.
  • The loan’s value, which will include the funding amount, interest, and an administrative charge, cannot exceed 10 per cent of the current value assessment (CVA) for your property, or $125,000, whichever is less.
  • Interest rates are fixed and will not fluctuate over the term.
  • Homeowners will repay the loan via their property tax bill and can pay it off anytime.

This chart estimates the monthly payments based on specific funding amounts.

Estimated Monthly Payment (11 per year)
Loan Amount 5 years 10 years 15 years 20 years**
$5,000 $90 $45 $30 $23
$10,000 $181 $91 $61 $45
$15,000 $272 $137 $91 $68
$20,000 $364 $182 $121 $91
$25,000 $455 $227 $152 $114
$30,000 $546 $273 $182 $137
$35,000 $637 $318 $212 $159
$40,000 $727 $363 $243 $182
$45,000 $818 $409 $273 $205
$50,000 $909 $455 $303 $227
$55,000 $1,000 $500 $333 $250
$60,000 $1,091 $546 $364 $273
$65,000 $1,182 $591 $394 $296
$70,000 $1,273 $637 $424 $318
$75,000 $1,364 $682 $455 $341
$80,000 $1,455 $728 $485 $364
$85,000 $1,546 $773 $515 $386
$90,000 $1,637 $819 $546 $410
$95,000 $1,728 $864 $576 $432
$100,000 $1,819 $910 $607 $546
$105,000 $1,910 $955 $637 $478
$110,000 $2,000 $1,000 $667 $500
$115,000 $2,091 $1,045 $698 $523
$120,000 $2,182 $1,091 $728 $548
$125,000 $2,273 $1,136 $758 $568

** 20-year amortization is only available for projects that include solar PV, geothermal installation, new windows and/or heat pumps. 

Five Reasons to Choose HELP

  1. Enjoy low-interest rates and repayment terms of up to 20 years.
  2. Avoid the large upfront costs of home energy improvements and pay for them over time as you save on your energy bills.
  3. Repay the loan via installments on your property tax bill. You can pay off the loan at any time.
  4. Receive ongoing support from the HELP team and assistance accessing additional rebates incentives from the Province of Ontario, the Federal Government and utility companies.
  5. The loan will be attached to your property, not to you, the property owner. This means that if you sell your home before the loan is repaid, the new owner will assume the loan balance.

Watch this short video to learn more.

Energy Advisors conduct EnerGuide home evaluations, which are required for HELP financing and most incentives and rebate programs in Ontario. To qualify for most programs, homeowners must obtain an EnerGuide home evaluation before starting their renovation project. Energy Advisors registered with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) deliver home labelling initiatives under a licencing agreement but operate as independent businesses and are not agents, partners, or employees of NRCan.

The following is a list of registered Energy Advisors or Service Organizations that can aid Toronto homeowners in accessing rebates, incentives and financing programs:

ER Energy Solutions Inc. 844-835-2593
Enerhome Consulting Ltd. 888-441-5199
Engreen Home Ltd. 647-833-3166
EnerTest Corporation 705-327-1504
BEST Energy and Sustainability Inc. 905-924-4545
Energuy Holdings Ltd 888-442-9577
Eco Advantage Energy Advisors Inc. 905-349-2387
London Environmental Network (NRGwise Consulting) 226-700-6945
EcoLogic Energy Advisors 866-517-5530
Green Think Inc. 877-394-6589
Greenbrain Inc. 866-848-4998
The Next Level Consulting (VerdaTech Energy Management) 416-402-5230
ecoGEO Energy Inc. 416-5433690
Acacia Engineering Ltd. 416-402-5230
Ridge Energy Consultants 888-236-5116
Windfall Ecology Centre (Green Communities Canada) 866-280-4431
Energy Werx Corp (Toronto) 416-558-8546
ecoPlus Services 613-690-1901
NRGwise Consulting (Southern Ontario) 647-479-8542
Pro Home Building Inspections Inc. 416-651-7778
Energy Werx Corp 888-440-6615
Homesol Building Solutions 613-466-0664
All Season Inspection Inc. 416-276-1346
EnerSolution Inc. 800-203-4395
CoEfficient Building Science 800-604-0234
EnerQuality Corporation 416-447-0077
EnviroCentre 613-656-0100
Green Canada Home Advisors Inc. 416-900-4186
The Home Inspectors Group Inc. 866-907-9206
Clean Energy Solutions Inc. 403-633-6906
Canada Energy Audit Ltd 888-298-9458
AmeriSpec of Canada (National) 866-284-6010
Ecostep 844-506-1016
GETS Energy (Ecostep) 778 317-4850

 

For errors or omissions, please email homeenergyloan@toronto.ca.

Home Energy Loan Program Information Webinar

Date: Wednesday, March 20

Time: 12 noon – 12:45 p.m.

Join City staff to learn more about loans and incentives available through the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP). 

Registration link (opens in new window)

Ask an Expert Renovation Webinar Series: How to Choose a Contractor

Date: Wednesday, April 10
Time: 12 noon – 1 p.m.

From how many quotes you should get – to what questions you should ask, come and learn which contractors to work with to have the best renovation experience.

Registration link (opens in new window)

Home Energy Loan Program Information Webinar

Date: Wednesday, April 17

Time: 12 noon – 12:45 p.m.

Join City staff to learn more about loans and incentives available through the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP). 

Registration link (opens in new window)

Ask an Expert Renovation Webinar Series: Heat Pumps 101

Date: Wednesday, May 15
Time: 12 noon – 1 p.m.

Are you looking to replace your air conditioner this summer? Come and learn what a heat pump is and why it is critical for Toronto’s climate targets.

Registration link (opens in new window)

Home Energy Loan Program Information Webinar

Date: Wednesday, May 29

Time: 12 noon – 12:45 p.m.

Join City staff to learn more about loans and incentives available through the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP). 

Registration link (opens in new window)

Ask an Expert Renovation Webinar Series: Introduction to SolarTO

Date: Wednesday, June 19
Time: 12 noon – 1 p.m.

Thinking about adding solar PV to your home? Come and listen to the City of Toronto’s SolarTO team and learn about initiatives to support your solar journey. 

Registration link (opens in new window)

 

The City of Toronto’s Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) makes it easier for homeowners to take on high-cost renovations and pay for them over time as they save on their energy bills:

  • You can help your clients make the decision to improve their homes by letting them know about HELP and the low-interest loans available to them.
  • Homeowners can hire the contractor of their choice to complete the renovations with no paperwork for contractors to complete.

Contractor Info Kit

The following materials can help you spread the word about the low-interest loans available to homeowners through the City’s Home Energy Loan Program.

  • brochures
  • 8.5 x 11 poster

To request these materials, please email homeenergyloan@toronto.ca or call 416-392-1826.

Better Built Homes Municipal Workshop Series

To support a network of qualified contractors, renovators, and other design-build professionals to support Toronto’s net zero emissions by 2040 targets for single-family homes, the City of Toronto presents CHBA Net Zero Renovator Training for Renovators and Contractors.

Eligible participants must complete the three-workshop series:

  • Advanced Building Science (pre-requisite for the NZ Builder course)
  • Net Zero Builder (pre-requisite for the NZ Renovator course)
  • Net Zero Renovator

Completing these workshops grants participants certification in each workshop, which is the first step in allowing them and their companies to build and renovate to the Net Zero standard.

To pre-register for the Spring 2023 cohort, please provide your details on the pre-registration page.

For questions about the CHBA Net Zero Renovator Training for Renovators and Contractors, please email BetterHomesTO@toronto.ca.

Note: The City of Toronto’s website is the only official source of information about the City’s SolarTO and Home Energy Loan Programs (HELP).