The City of Toronto has announced an enhanced Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) that will offer zero-interest loans and incentives to help homeowners in Toronto make their homes more energy-efficient and reduce the emissions contributing to climate change. The HELP program has been in existence since 2014, but it has now been enriched and expanded.
For a limited time, through the enhanced HELP program, Toronto homeowners will be able to access:
- Zero-interest loans of up to $125,000 for terms of up to 15 years; 20-year terms are available for retrofits that include rooftop solar PV, geothermal, new windows and electric heat pumps.
- Incentives for specific measures including electric heat pumps, which can replace a home’s natural gas furnace and air conditioner; rooftop solar PV and deep retrofits that significantly reduce a home’s emissions.
The Government of Canada provided funding to enhance the program through the Green Municipal Fund, administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), including a loan of up to $9.712 million to fund the zero-interest loans and a grant of up to $4.856 million.
The new zero-interest loans and incentives will be available until the funding allocated for each is fully subscribed, after which homeowners can continue to access low-interest loans. Home improvements eligible for financing include:
- electric heat pumps
- insulation (attic, wall, basement)
- upgraded windows/doors
- air sealing
- geothermal systems
- rooftop solar PV
- tankless water heaters
- solar hot water systems
- EV charging stations (Level 2)
- battery storage and more.
Eligibility has been expanded to include tax-exempt properties (e.g., non-profit homes, supportive housing, rooming houses) in addition to the currently eligible detached, semi-detached, row/townhouses, and duplex and triplex apartment buildings.
In addition to the loans and incentives available through HELP, homeowners may also be eligible for the federal government’s Canada Greener Homes Grant of up to $5,000.
TRREB is encouraged about the launch of the enhanced HELP program, as we have worked closely with City staff in ensuring that homeowners have the necessary financial incentives and supports to undergo costly energy-efficient retrofits on a voluntary basis. The City’s HELP program supports the goals and objectives of TRREB’s first-ever climate change statement, and we look forward to continue working with the City in educating our Members on the HELP program in particular, and on the sustainability and climate action issue in general.
More information about HELP is available on the City’s Home Energy Loan Program webpage.
NOTE: The HELP application available on this PDF form is the only valid application for this program. Other websites outside of toronto.ca that offer applications for the HELP program are not legitimate.
To learn more about the loans and incentives available through the Home Energy Loan Program, Members are encouraged to register for a complimentary virtual webinar as follows: