Ontario Window Rebates in 2026: What Homeowners Can Actually Claim Right Now

When you search for window rebates Ontario 2026, the results can be misleading. Several programs that dominated search results through 2024 are now closed — the Canada Greener Homes Grant, the Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate Plus, and the Greener Homes Loan. What’s left? If you’re planning window replacement in Toronto, Winnipeg, or Calgary, Ontario’s Home Renovation Savings Program is active, open to new applications, and most homeowners replacing windows right now qualify for it. This guide covers what’s available today, what’s gone, and how to claim what you’re entitled to.

What Is the Ontario Home Renovation Savings Program?

The Ontario Home Renovation Savings Program launched in late 2023 as a direct provincial initiative — not federal. There’s no Natural Resources Canada portal, no $5,000 pre-assessment requirement, and no registered energy advisor needed before you start. You apply through the province’s own process after completing your renovation.

The short version: replace windows in your Ontario home with ENERGY STAR certified products and receive $100 back per rough opening. The program is funded and running through November 2026.

There’s a cap of $5,000 per household over the program’s life. For most homes with 12 to 20 windows, that’s a number many will reach before hitting the ceiling.

How Much Can You Get?

Here’s how the rebate math works:

The $100 is per rough opening — the framed hole in the wall, not per window unit. A standard casement window is one opening. A bay window with three individual casements counts as three, provided each sits in its own frame. Exterior doors with ENERGY STAR certification qualify at $125 per door.

What Qualifies?

Two conditions, both required:

1. Ontario property. Single-family homes, semi-detached, townhouses, and condos where the owner pays the heating bills all qualify. Rental properties where the landlord doesn’t pay utilities directly are more complicated — confirm with the program before booking the work.

2. ENERGY STAR certified products. Not just energy-efficient — specifically ENERGY STAR certified for the Canadian climate zone. When shopping for windows, ask the manufacturer or retailer for the ENERGY STAR certification number. A reputable installer will have this on hand. If they don’t, ask before signing anything.

All NorthShield energy efficient window products are ENERGY STAR certified for Canadian climate zones, including our vinyl window lines meeting Ontario’s Zone 3 requirements.

Programs That Are Now Closed

This section exists because these programs still appear in search results as if they’re open. They’re not.

The federal Canada Greener Homes Grant offered up to $5,600 for windows and was widely used. Applications submitted before December 31, 2025 are still being processed, but new applications aren’t accepted. The Greener Homes Loan — the 0% interest financing option — ended October 1, 2025.

The Enbridge HER+ program has been closed for over two years. It still shows up in outdated blog posts and contractor marketing. If a contractor quotes a price that assumes one of these programs will offset the cost, they haven’t checked recently.

How to Apply for the Ontario Program

The process is straightforward. No upfront assessment, no waiting list.

One thing worth knowing: this is a rebate, not a point-of-sale discount. You pay the full installation cost upfront and receive the rebate after your submission is approved. Budget accordingly — the money comes back, but not at the time of purchase.

Manitoba and Alberta: What’s Available There

NorthShield serves Winnipeg and Calgary in addition to Toronto. If you’re outside Ontario, there are still active programs worth knowing about.

Efficiency Manitoba

Efficiency Manitoba offers $100 per triple-pane window, up to $2,000 total. The key requirement is triple pane — double pane windows don’t qualify under the current program criteria. This program is running now with no stated end date, though funding is reviewed annually. Manitoba homeowners replacing 20 windows with qualifying triple pane units could receive the full $2,000 maximum.

Alberta Programs

Alberta has the Community Energy Improvement Program (CEIP), which runs through municipalities. Calgary’s CEIP provides $100 to $300 per unit depending on product specifications. Alberta seniors may qualify for the SHARP (Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program) grant — up to $1,200 for qualifying home improvements including windows. Contact your municipality directly for current eligibility details, as program terms and funding levels change year to year.

Getting the Most Out of the Rebate

Do the project in one phase if possible. If you’re planning to replace 5 windows now and 10 more in two years, consider doing all 15 together. One contractor mobilization, one application, and you hit the rebate amount faster. Installation costs per window also tend to drop when more are done at once.

Timing within the program window matters. The Ontario program runs through November 2026. Spring and early summer installations avoid the late-fall rush that builds as the deadline approaches. Demand for installers spikes in September and October when homeowners realize the deadline is near.

Keep your product documentation. The application requires the ENERGY STAR certification number from the manufacturer’s spec sheet. Your installer should include this on the invoice, but keep the original packaging until your rebate is confirmed. Incomplete applications are the most common reason for processing delays.

Frequently Asked Questions