Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)
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
- Complete an Application Form
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.
- Home Energy Assessment And Funding Request
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.
- Property Owner Agreement
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.
- Complete Your Improvements And Submit Your Project Completion Report
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.
- Repay The Loan Over Time Via Your Property Tax Bill
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.