Government Grants to Make Your Home More Efficient

I don’t know about you, but I feel like I pay more than enough in taxes, so when the government offers rebate programs, I’m all in!

Recently, we replaced all the windows in our home (shoutout to Linton Window and Doors—they were awesome) through the Greener Homes Program. Once you qualify—and yes, you do need to submit several financial documents—you can receive an INTEREST-FREE loan for up to 10 years!

We did have to pay upfront for the initial assessment, which cost just under $600. A portion of that will be refunded upon completion of the program. Our home is 40 years old with the original windows, so I knew we’d either “pass” or “fail”—depending on how you look at it!

The great thing is that we were in complete control of choosing our windows and the company to install them. Although we do a lot of renovations ourselves, this was totally worth letting the pros handle it. Plus, the work is covered under the program!

On top of that, Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy have partnered to create a new initiative called the Energy Affordability Program (SaveOnEnergy.ca). There are multiple programs available, and if you qualify, they’ll even send FREE kits to your home to help you start making energy-saving changes immediately.

Taking advantage of these programs can help lower your utility bills and reduce your carbon footprint. And if you have an older home and plan to sell it in the next few years, these upgrades can give you a significant edge in the market. Be sure to save all your receipts and documentation of completed work to provide to potential buyers.

Bonus tip: Depending on the upgrades or improvements, call your insurance broker—these changes may lead to additional savings on your policy!