Dreading another winter of sky-high heating bills? You're not alone. While energy-efficient home upgrades could slash your energy costs by up to 45%, the steep upfront investment stops most homeowners in their tracks.
What if we told you that you could upgrade now and pay later? Toronto’s Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) is here to make energy-efficient home improvements affordable and accessible. Toronto homeowners can loan up to $125,000 at low interest rates (starting at 3.40%) to fund upgrades like energy-efficient windows, doors, and heat pumps.
Ready to slash your energy bills, reduce your carbon footprint, and enjoy a more comfortable home? Here’s everything you need to know.
Toronto Home Energy Loan Program Overview
The Toronto Home Energy Loan Program offers low-interest loans to help homeowners fund home energy retrofits. It’s part of the city’s broader initiative to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption. Here’s a quick rundown of how it works:
Tip: You can combine your HELP loan with various home energy rebates and incentives from the government and utility companies. You can get all the help and make energy-efficient home upgrades more accessible.
Eligible Home Energy Improvements
HELP lends a hand in replacing outdated appliances and energy-draining practices. Here are the top retrofits you can finance through the city’s Home Energy Loan Program:
Window and Door Replacements
Windows and doors are your home's gateway to the outdoors—but if they’re old and inefficient, they might as well be holding the door open for your heating dollars to escape. You can lose up to 35% of your home’s energy from inefficient windows, doors and skylights.
Toronto Home Energy Loan Program lets you swap them for ENERGY STAR-certified models that keep the cozy in and the chilly out. These windows and doors meet strict energy-efficiency standards, giving you:
- Tight seals to prevent energy loss and drafts
- Double- or triple-pane glass that acts like a thermal shield
- Special Low-E coatings that block UV rays and protect your furniture
- A more comfortable home year-round
- Better soundproofing for a quieter living space
- Increased property value and curb appeal
Note: Projects that include new windows (plus solar, geothermal, and heat pumps) are eligible for the 20-year term.
Learn more: What Is The Energy Star Rating and Why Does It Matter?
Image Source: Shutterstock
Clean Energy Upgrades
Aside from energy-efficient windows, Toronto’s loan program also covers the cost of clean energy upgrades. We’re talking about the following:
- Rooftop solar PV panels
- Battery storage systems
- Electric vehicle charging stations
- Battery storage
These upgrades help you generate your electricity and reduce your dependence on the grid. Not only can you save money, but you can also earn extra income by selling your excess power back to utilities.
Insulation & Air Sealing
Think you have energy-efficient doors? Toronto’s extreme weather might still find every tiny gap around them. Even the best-quality doors work better with proper insulation and air sealing.
The City of Toronto Home Energy Loan Program can help you finance upgrades like:
- Weather stripping around doors and windows
- Caulking and sealing of gaps and cracks
- Basement, attic, and exterior wall insulation
These improvements work with your energy-efficient doors and windows to complete your thermal barrier—sealing your home from costly drafts and ensuring real savings.
Image Source: Shutterstock
Heating & Cooling Upgrades
Most Toronto homeowners see their biggest energy bills from heating and cooling (up to 60%). The city’s Home Energy Loan Program covers upgrades that can change that, including the following:
- Air-source and geothermal heat pumps
- Tankless and solar water heating
- High-efficiency furnaces and boilers
- Energy-efficient air conditioning
- Drain-water heat recovery systems (recovers heat from wastewater)
Who Can Apply to the City of Toronto Home Energy Loan Program?
All Toronto homeowners can apply to the Toronto Home Energy Loan Program, provided they:
- Own a detached, semi-detached, or row house in Toronto (your postal code must start with "M")
- Have all property owners on title agree to participate in the program
- Get their mortgage lender’s consent (if the property has a mortgage)
- Keep their property tax and utility accounts in good standing (no more than three instances of property tax or utility payments being 60+ days late in the past three years)
How to Apply to the City of Toronto Home Energy Loan Program
Here’s what the HELP application process looks like:
- Submit your application through the City of Toronto's online portal.
- Get a home energy assessment from a registered Energy Advisor.
- Choose your improvements and get contractor quotes.
- Submit your funding request and wait for approval.
- Once approved, sign the Property Owner Agreement.
- Complete your renovations and verify the improvements. You’ll be asked to book a post-retrofit home energy assessment with your Energy Adviser and submit a signed Project Completion Report.
- Start saving on energy while repaying through your property tax bill!
Learn more: Your Guide to the Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program
Up Your Energy Savings with Energy-Efficient Windows and Doors
The most expensive home upgrades are the ones you keep putting off. Every year you wait, high energy bills cost you more, and you miss out on the comfort of a well-insulated home. With the Toronto Home Energy Loan Program, there’s no better time to upgrade to energy-efficient windows and doors.
Clera Windows + Doors make it easy to upgrade your home’s energy efficiency and savings with ENERGY STAR-certified windows and doors designed to withstand Toronto’s toughest weather—all at factory-direct prices. Combined with our lifetime warranty and expert local installation, you can be confident you're making the smartest investment in your home's comfort and value.
Make the most of your funding with Clera. Contact us today to get a free quote and start saving!
