Get a low interest loan of up to $75,000
The Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) is an innovative financing program which is offering by the City of Toronto to help homeowners to improve their home energy efficiency and ultimately make their home comfortable and save money. Through the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP), Toronto homeowners can get a low-interest loan of up to $75,000 to cover the cost of home energy improvements on qualifying measures, such as:
With low fixed interest rates, and terms of up to 20-years amortization on qualifying measures, this program makes it easy and affordable for homeowners to pay the cost for home upgrades over time, and access rebates offered by utility companies. Once funding is approved, homeowners can hire the contractor of their choice and complete their renovations.
- High-efficiency furnaces / boilers / air conditioners
- Air-source heat pumps
- Window / door replacements
- Basement/attic/exterior wall insulation
- Air sealing (e.g. weather stripping or caulking)
- Geothermal systems
- High-efficiency water heaters
- 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
Eligibility
You may qualify for a low-interest loan through HELP if:
Looking to apply for Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)?
We are here to help you to upgrade and get loan!
Application Process
Complete an Application Form
Download, complete and submit your application to the City of Toronto. They will confirm your eligibility and 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, they 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
When you receive your funding offer from the City of Toronto, you are ready to get started; you need to book home energy assessment with an Energy Advisor registered by Natural Resources Canada. Once the home energy assessment is complete, you will receive:
• A Renovation Upgrade Report with recommendations for specific improvements
• An EnerGuide rating based on your home’s current energy performance
• information on available incentives and rebates
Submit your funding request
Decide which measures you wish to upgrade and get quotes from the contractors of your choice, based on your goals, budget and recommendations of the Energy Advisor. Make sure you see which rebates and incentives currently available from Enbridge Gas 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 amount available to you from the utility companies.
Sign and return your 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, you can be provided up to 30 per cent of the funds to help you get your project underway.
Complete your upgrades 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 inform you when your loan payments will begin. You will be enrolled in the City’s Pre-authorized Tax Payment plan and repay the City via eleven 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, as property taxes.
At any time during the term of the loan, you may pay the outstanding balance, without penalty, to clear the loan from your property.
Interest term rate
Home Energy Loan Program offers low-interest rates and flexible terms to fit your budget. Interest rates are fixed and will not fluctuate over the duration of the term.
Rates and terms (valid until December 31, 2020)
3.55%
5 years
3.83%
10 years
4.04%
15 years
4.15%
20 years
