The City of Toronto’s website and BetterHomesTO website are the only official sources of information about the City’s SolarTO and Home Energy Loan Programs (HELP). The Home Energy Loan Program is temporarily suspending the acceptance of applications as it transitions to an online application process. The program will resume applications on February 1, 2023.
Making your home more energy efficient is one of the most substantial actions homeowners can take to reduce the emissions that contribute 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:
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.
¹ 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:
*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, Province of Ontario, Government of Canada and utility companies. View all loans and rebates available.
Starting January 16, 2023, a new application portal will be available on this page, or you can submit an application by mail:
Program Manager, Home Energy Loan Program
City of Toronto
Environment & Climate Division
55 John Street, 2nd Floor
Toronto, ON M5V 3C6
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.
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:
For a list of Energy Advisors and information on incentives and rebates available for home energy assessments, visit Enbridge Gas.
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. Make sure you see which rebates and incentives are currently available from Enbridge Gas, Canada Greener Homes Grant and other service providers.
Your funding request will include:
Once the City has approved your Funding Request, we will send you a Property Owner Agreement (POA), which is the funding agreement between the property owner(s) and the City.
You must sign the POA and return to the City. Once the POA is approved by the City, we can provide, if requested, up to 30 per cent of the funds to help you get your project underway.
Homeowners assume full responsibility for the work performed, which includes selecting, hiring and paying contractors², and 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.
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.
| Terms | Fixed Interest Rate |
|---|---|
| 5 years | 3.50% |
| 10 years | 3.85% |
| 15 years | 4.21% |
| 20 years** | 4.32% |
This chart estimates the monthly payments based on specific funding amounts.
| 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.
Watch this short video to learn more.
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:
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.
To request these materials, please email homeenergyloan@toronto.ca or call 416-392-1826.
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:
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 late-Fall 2022 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