Quick quiz: how windows and doors work
Ten questions on the technology. Tap an answer to see why.
Windows and doors are where a lot of a home's heat escapes. Newer ones, with better glass and tighter frames, can make rooms more even and cut drafts. They are also one of the most expensive upgrades per dollar saved, so many programs pay less for them than for insulation or a heat pump.
Rebate rules are often about the product. Programs pay for certified windows and doors, replacing what you have, and sometimes only as part of a package with an assessment or another upgrade. Some count each opening, some count each unit. Read the rules before you order, because a custom window can take weeks to arrive.
What to check before you buy
- Certified products. Programs usually ask for an ENERGY STAR or similar certification. Check the label on the quote.
- Whole opening, frame included. Some programs do not pay when only the glass or the sash is replaced.
- Per opening or per unit. Programs count differently, and the difference changes your total.
- An assessment first. Some programs need an energy assessment before the work and another after.
- Do it with other upgrades. Some programs pay only when windows are one of at least two upgrades.
Windows or insulation first?
If you can only do one thing, attic insulation and air sealing usually save more than new windows for the same money. Many homeowners fix those first, then replace windows when they wear out. A home energy assessment, where a program offers one, can show you which gaps matter most in your own house.
When you do replace windows, ask each installer for the same product line, the same number of openings and the same trim work, so you can compare quotes line by line.
Open window and door rebates, region by region
Each row is an open program today. Amounts are the most a program pays, and many depend on your home, your income or your utility, so use the calculator for your own number.
| Where | Program | Pays | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manitoba | Efficiency Manitoba: windows and doors | $100 per window or door (CAD) | Official page, checked Oct 21, 2026 |
| New Brunswick | Total Home: windows, doors and skylights | $50 per unit (CAD) | Official page, checked Oct 21, 2026 |
| Quebec | Rénoclimat: windows (duplex, triplex, multi-unit) | up to $6,000 (CAD) | Official page, checked Oct 21, 2026 |
| Quebec | Rénoclimat: windows (house) | up to $4,500 (CAD) | Official page, checked Oct 21, 2026 |
| Yukon | Good Energy ENERGY STAR window rebate | up to $1,800 (CAD) | Official page, checked Oct 21, 2026 |
Start with these guides
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- Guide9 Ontario home energy rebates you can claim in 2026
- GuideOntario Home Renovation Savings Deadlines for 2026
- GuideBC Hydro vs FortisBC Rebates: Which Pays More?
- GuideNew Windows Won't Pay for Themselves in Bills Alone, and That's Okay
- GuideWindows Buying Guide for Ontario Homes
- GuideBC Windows Guide 2026: Double vs Triple Pane
Common questions
Are new windows worth it for the energy savings alone?
Often not on their own. Insulation and air sealing usually save more per dollar. Windows make sense when yours are failing, drafty or noisy.
Do I have to replace the whole window?
Some programs only pay for a full replacement with the frame. Others accept inserts. The table links to each program.
Do doors count?
Many programs include exterior doors, sometimes with a minimum number. Read the program page.
Where do I start?
Pick your province or state in the rebate finder to see what is open where you live.
Sources, read October 21, 2026: Home Renovation Savings: windows and doors, ENERGY STAR: windows, doors and skylights, Manitoba: Efficiency Manitoba: windows and doors, New Brunswick: Total Home: windows, doors and skylights, Quebec: Rénoclimat: windows (duplex, triplex, multi-unit), Yukon: Good Energy ENERGY STAR window rebate.