Federal rebate covering 50% of deep energy retrofits, up to $40K. How to apply, what qualifies, and how it stacks with BC rebates.
The Greener Homes Grant is the biggest federal rebate available for BC home energy upgrades. It covers 50% of eligible costs up to $40,000—meaning a typical deep retrofit gets cut in half.
But most homeowners don't know it exists, or think it's too complicated to access. It's not. Here's everything you need to know.
It's a federal program (Natural Resources Canada) that reimburses you for energy retrofit work after it's completed. Unlike a rebate you get at purchase time, this requires you to pay upfront, then request reimbursement.
The basics:
You qualify if you:
Income limit? None. Unlike CleanBC tiers, this grant is available to all households regardless of income.
Hire a Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) certified auditor to assess your home and identify which upgrades qualify for the grant. They provide a detailed report with estimated savings.
Tip: Many auditors reimburse the audit cost (up to $600) after you complete the retrofit.
Submit your audit report to the program at betterhome.ca. You provide:
Timeline: 2–4 weeks for approval. You get a grant certificate with your approved amount.
Hire contractors and do the work. The grant doesn't depend on getting specific rebates—it's based on your audit and completion. Pay invoices and keep receipts.
Timeline: 2–6 months depending on scope (insulation can be 1–2 weeks; full retrofit can be 3+ months).
After work is complete, the same (or different) certified auditor inspects and re-scores your home. This proves the work was done and measures the improvement in your EnerGuide rating.
Timeline: 1–2 weeks after work completion.
Upload your final audit report, completed work photos, and contractor invoices to betterhome.ca. The program verifies everything and sends a check.
Timeline: 4–8 weeks for payment (can vary).
| Upgrade Type | Eligible? | Max Grant |
|---|---|---|
| Air sealing & weatherization | ✓ | 50% of cost |
| Attic/basement/wall insulation | ✓ | 50% of cost |
| Heat pump (space heating) | ✓ | 50% of cost |
| Heat pump water heater | ✓ | 50% of cost |
| Heat recovery ventilation (HRV) | ✓ | 50% of cost |
| Solar panels | ❌ | Not covered |
| Battery storage | ❌ | Not covered |
| EV charging | ❌ | Not covered |
| Smart thermostat | ❌ | Not covered |
Key point: The grant covers the "deep energy retrofit" items—insulation and heat. It doesn't cover solar or batteries (those have their own BC Hydro rebates). This is why you should layer multiple programs.
Here's where it gets powerful. A typical retrofit can get:
Retrofit plan: Insulation + Heat Pump + Water Heater + HRV + Solar
Total cost: $48K
CleanBC (BC) rebates: $20K
Greener Homes (federal): $19K (50% of insulation + heat pump + water heater + HRV = $38K)
BC Hydro (solar): $5K
Total rebates: $44K
Your out-of-pocket: $4K
(Or $0 if you finance the solar separately)
This is why understanding both programs matters. They stack, and together they can make your retrofit nearly free.
Yes. You have 18 months from your pre-retrofit audit to complete the work and submit for reimbursement. Plan accordingly.
No. Greener Homes requires that a licensed contractor perform the work. You can DIY supplementary items (paint, trim), but the major upgrades must be professional.
That's fine. The grant reimburses based on what you actually complete. If your audit approved $40K but you only did $20K of insulation, you get reimbursed for that $20K (50% = $10K grant).
Only if you own the entire building or a detached home. Condo dwellers typically can't apply (the landlord/strata would need to). But check the betterhome.ca rules—some condos are eligible.
The grant isn't denied if your home scores poorly—in fact, it's more incentive to do upgrades. The audit just shows you what needs fixing.
Use our assessment tool to estimate what retrofit upgrades make sense for your home, then check Greener Homes eligibility.
Start assessment →