Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) Old

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 home efficiency energy improvements.

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.

Loan program Details

Maximum: $125,000
Repayment term: up to 20 years, interest-free

Improvements Might Include Upgrades to The Following:

Air-Source Heat Pumps
Window / Door Replacements
Insulation: Basement / Attic / Exterior Wall
Air Sealing

(e.g. weather stripping or caulking)

Geothermal Systems
High-Efficiency Water Heaters
High-Efficiency Furnaces / Boilers / Air Conditioner

Tankless Water Heaters
Drain-Water Heat Recovery Systems
Toilet Replacements
Solar Hot Water Systems
Rooftop Solar PV Panels
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

(Level 2)

Battery Storage

loan Program Incentives

Homeowners who have been approved to participate in the City’s Home Energy Loan Program may also apply to receive the following incentives:

	Incentive
Rooftop Solar PV	$1,000
Air-source Heat Pumps – mini/multi-split (up to 2 indoor units)	$1,250
Air-source Heat Pumps – centrally-ducted or mini/multi-split (min 3 indoor units)	$2,000
Air-source Heat Pumps – cold-climate-rated central or mini-split (min 3 indoor units)	$2,500
Deep Retrofit* – must achieve at least 80 per cent reduction in the home’s post-renovation EnerGuide rating	$10,000

Eligibility

You may qualify for a low-interest loan through Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) if:

you own a detached, semi-detached, or row house in the City of Toronto (the property’s postal code must start with an “M”).
all of the property owners on title consent to participate in the program.
no late property tax and utility payments to the City in the past three years.
you obtain written consent from your mortgage lender if applicable*.

*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 available from the City of Toronto, Province of Ontario, Government of Canada and utility companies. View all loans and rebates available.

Projects are eligible for a 20 years term loan, if include any of the following measures:

Solar | Windows | Geothermal | Heat Pumps

How to Apply

Once the City receives and approves your application, we will send you a funding offer that states the maximum amount that 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.

A. Book A Home Energy Assessment With an Energy Advisor Registered By Natural Resources Canada

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:

a Renovation Upgrade Report with recommendations for specific improvements
an EnerGuide¹ rating based on your home’s current energy performance
information on available incentives and rebates

To book your Energy Audit please call us at 1-905-669-4440 or request here.

B.Submit Your Funding Request

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:

a list of the improvements you intend to undertake;
details and cost estimates based on contractor quote(s); and
the estimated incentive and rebate amounts available to you from the utility companies.

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.

At any time during the term of the loan, you may pay the outstanding balance, without penalty, to clear the loan from your property.

FCM-Funded Home Energy Loan Program

The following rates and terms are valid for retrofit projects started after June 1, 2022:

Terms	Fixed Interest Rate
5 years	2.58% 0%
10 years	3.11% 0%
15 years	3.59% 0%
20 years	3.73% 0%

zero per cent financing is available for a limited time and will end when the funding allocation limit has been reached.
An administrative charge of 2%, which reflects the City’s cost of administering the program will be added.
The value of the loan, which will include the funding amount, interest, and an administrative charge, cannot exceed 10% of the current value assessment (CVA) for your property, or $125,000, whichever is less.
Homeowners will repay the loan via their property tax bill and can pay off the loan at any time without penalty.

City-funded Home Energy Loan Program

The following rates and terms are valid for retrofit projects started after June 1, 2022:

Terms	Fixed Interest Rate
5 years	2.58%
10 years	3.11%
15 years	3.59%
20 years	3.73%

An administrative charge of 2%, which reflects the City’s cost of administering the program will be added.
The value of the loan, which will include the funding amount, interest, and an administrative charge, cannot exceed 10% of the current value assessment (CVA) for your property, or $125,000, whichever is less.
Interest rates are fixed and will not fluctuate over the term.
Homeowners will repay the loan via their property tax bill and can pay off the loan at any time without penalty.

This Chart Estimates The Monthly Payments, Based On Specific Funding Amounts

Estimated Monthly Payment (11 per year)

Loan Amount	5 years	10 years	15 years	20 years**
Loan Amount $5,000	5 years $90	10 years $45	15 years $30	20 years** $23
Loan Amount $10,000	5 years $181	10 years $91	15 years $61	20 years** $45
Loan Amount $15,000	5 years $272	10 years $137	15 years $91	20 years** $68
Loan Amount $20,000	5 years $364	10 years $182	15 years $121	20 years** $91
Loan Amount $25,000	5 years $455	10 years $227	15 years $152	20 years** $114
Loan Amount $30,000	5 years $546	10 years $273	15 years $182	20 years** $137
Loan Amount $35,000	5 years $637	10 years $318	15 years $212	20 years** $159
Loan Amount $40,000	5 years $727	10 years $363	15 years $243	20 years** $182
Loan Amount $45,000	5 years $818	10 years $409	15 years $273	20 years** $205
Loan Amount $50,000	5 years $909	10 years $455	15 years $303	20 years** $227
Loan Amount $55,000	5 years $1,000	10 years $500	15 years $333	20 years** $250
Loan Amount $60,000	5 years $1,091	10 years $546	15 years $364	20 years** $273
Loan Amount $65,000	5 years $1,182	10 years $591	15 years $394	20 years** $296
Loan Amount $70,000	5 years $1,273	10 years $637	15 years $424	20 years** $318
Loan Amount $75,000	5 years $1,364	10 years $682	15 years $455	20 years** $341
Loan Amount $80,000	5 years $1,455	10 years $728	15 years $485	20 years** $364
Loan Amount $85,000	5 years $1,546	10 years $773	15 years $515	20 years** $386
Loan Amount $90,000	5 years $1,637	10 years $819	15 years $546	20 years** $410
Loan Amount $95,000	5 years $1,728	10 years $864	15 years $576	20 years** $432
Loan Amount $100,000	5 years $1,819	10 years $910	15 years $607	20 years** $546
Loan Amount $105,000	5 years $1,910	10 years $955	15 years $637	20 years** $478
Loan Amount $110,000	5 years $2,000	10 years $1,000	15 years $667	20 years** $500
Loan Amount $115,000	5 years $2,091	10 years $1,045	15 years $698	20 years** $523
Loan Amount $120,000	5 years $2,182	10 years $1,091	15 years $728	20 years** $548
Loan Amount $125,000	5 years $2,273	10 years $1,136	15 years $758	20 years** $568

** 20 year amortization is only available for projects that include solar PV, geothermal installation, new windows and/or heat pumps.

Home Energy Audit Booking

Take the first step towards a greener and more cost-effective future by scheduling a home energy inspection today!

Our professional team of experts is here to help you uncover hidden energy inefficiencies in your home. During the inspection, we will thoroughly assess your property, identifying areas where energy is being wasted and providing you with valuable recommendations for improvement.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Our team is ready to assist you in creating a more energy-efficient and comfortable living space. Take control of your energy usage and start saving today!

Five Reasons to Choose Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)

Enjoy low-interest rates and repayments terms of up to 20 years.
Avoid the large upfront costs of home energy improvements and pay for them over time as you save on your energy bills.
Repay the loan via installments on your property tax bill. You can pay off the loan at any time without penalty.
Receive ongoing support from the HELP team and assistance accessing additional rebates incentives from the Province of Ontario, the Federal Government and utility companies.
The loan will be attached to your property, not to you, the property owner. This means that if you sell your home before the loan is repaid, the new owner will assume the balance of the loan.