Did you know that investing in an energy-efficient home can earn you up to 25% back on your mortgage insurance premium?
Canada’s three main mortgage insurers—CMHC, Sagen, and Canada Guaranty—offer premium insurance refunds to homebuyers who make their homes more energy-efficient through a home energy audit and qualifying upgrades.
What Is a Premium Insurance Refund?
A premium insurance refund is a financial incentive that reimburses a portion of your mortgage insurance premium—up to 25%—when your home meets certain energy performance standards. To qualify, you typically need to complete a home energy audit, either before purchasing a new build or after completing renovations on an existing home.
Role of the Home Energy Audit
A home energy audit is a professional assessment of your home’s energy efficiency. It identifies areas of energy loss and recommends upgrades such as insulation improvements, high-efficiency heating systems, and better windows. Most rebate programs require a pre- and post-upgrade energy audit to verify improvements.
To learn more about how an audit works and why it’s important, read the below articles.
Sagen: Energy Efficient Housing Program
Sagen is a private mortgage insurance provider that helps Canadians access homeownership with a down payment of less than 20%. They partner with lenders to insure high-ratio mortgages and support programs that encourage responsible lending.
Sagen offers a premium refund 25% for homebuyers who purchase or renovate homes to meet specific energy-efficiency criteria. Homes that qualify must meet a minimum EnerGuide rating or be certified under programs like ENERGY STAR®, LEED, or Built Green.
Refund: Up to 25% of your premium.
Eligibility:
Energy-efficient home purchase or retrofit.
Documentation from a certified energy audit or home energy rating system (e.g., EnerGuide).
Application Deadline: Within 30 business days of funding your mortgage.
Canada Guaranty: Energy-Efficient Advantage Program
Canada Guaranty is another private mortgage insurer in Canada, known for its flexible programs and commitment to helping more Canadians become homeowners.
This program provides 25% refund on mortgage insurance premiums for homes that meet or exceed recognized energy performance standards.
Refund: 25% of your mortgage insurance premium.
Eligibility:
New homes with energy efficiency certifications.
Retrofits based on home energy audit recommendations.
Requirements: Submit audit documentation and energy upgrade details.
CMHC: Eco Plus Program
CMHC is a federal Crown corporation and Canada’s national housing agency, providing mortgage loan insurance, housing policy research, and affordable housing programs.
CMHC’s Eco Plus program offers 25% refund on the mortgage loan insurance premium for homeowners who purchase or renovate a home that meets high energy efficiency standards.
Refund: 25% of your CMHC premium.
Eligibility:
Home must be rated at least 86 on EnerGuide or equivalent.
Retrofits must be supported by a professional energy audit.
How to Apply: Complete Eco Plus application form with supporting audit documents.
Open to new builds, renovated homes, or existing homes that achieve qualifying EnerGuide scores.
EnerGuide assessments must be conducted by a registered energy advisor.
Renovation refunds require a minimum $20,000 investment in eligible upgrades.
How to Apply
Steps to Claim Your Premium Refund
Book an Energy Audit
Hire a certified energy advisor to assess your current or future home.Complete Energy Upgrades
Follow recommendations from the audit (e.g., improve insulation, install high-efficiency HVAC systems).Get a Post-Upgrade Audit
Verify that improvements meet program standards.Submit Your Refund Application
Send your audit results and proof of upgrades to your insurer within the deadline.
Why Choose Us for Your Energy Audit?
As a certified home energy audit and home inspection company, we specialize in helping homeowners like you qualify for premium insurance refunds and other rebate programs. Our team will guide you through the entire process—from conducting a professional energy audit to identifying upgrade opportunities and preparing all the documentation required by CMHC, Sagen, or Canada Guaranty. Whether you’re buying, building, or renovating, we’re here to ensure you get the maximum rebate you’re eligible for—quickly, efficiently, and with expert support every step of the way.
