Complete Guide to Window Rebates in Ottawa (2026)

Canada Greener Homes Grant

The main federal program for window and door upgrades:

What you can get: Up to $5,000 for windows and doors combined

Rebate amounts: - ENERGY STAR windows: Up to $250 per rough opening - ENERGY STAR doors: Up to $500 per rough opening

Requirements: - Must be ENERGY STAR certified for your climate zone - Pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation required (costs $150-300, rebated $600) - Post-retrofit evaluation required - Work must be done by a registered contractor - Apply BEFORE starting work

Timeline: Apply online, wait for approval, then complete work within 1 year. Post-retrofit evaluation and final claim submission after.

Current status: Check nrcan.gc.ca for current funding availability — these programs can close when budget is exhausted.

Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate

For homes heated with natural gas:

What you can get: Up to $5,000 for a bundle of upgrades

How it works: - Windows alone may qualify for $100-150 per window - Bigger rebates when combined with insulation or heating upgrades - Must use an Enbridge-approved contractor

Requirements: - Home must be heated with natural gas - Windows must be ENERGY STAR certified - Energy assessment required

Key advantage: Can be stacked with Greener Homes Grant for combined savings.

How to apply: Through Enbridge website or your contractor can help coordinate.

Stacking Multiple Rebates

Here's how to maximize your savings:

Example: Full house window replacement (15 windows) - Project cost: $18,000 - Greener Homes Grant: -$3,750 (15 x $250) - Enbridge rebate: -$1,500 (bundled with insulation) - Net cost: $12,750 - Total savings: $5,250 (29% off)

Rules for stacking: - Different programs can apply to the same work - Each program has its own requirements - Some programs share the EnerGuide evaluation - Keep meticulous records — you'll need them for each claim

What NOT to do: - Start work before applying (instant disqualification for most programs) - Use a non-approved contractor - Skip the pre-retrofit assessment

The Rebate Application Process

Step-by-step to getting your rebates:

Step 1: Research and register - Create accounts with Greener Homes and Enbridge - Confirm your home qualifies - Check current funding availability

Step 2: Book EnerGuide evaluation - Schedule pre-retrofit evaluation ($150-300) - Evaluator assesses current windows and overall home energy - This must happen BEFORE any work begins

Step 3: Get quotes and apply - Get quotes from approved contractors - Submit application with quote details - Wait for approval (can take 2-8 weeks)

Step 4: Complete the work - Have windows installed by approved contractor - Keep all invoices and ENERGY STAR labels

Step 5: Post-retrofit and claim - Schedule post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation - Submit claim with receipts and documentation - Receive rebate (direct deposit or cheque)

Total timeline: 3-6 months from start to receiving rebate.

Tips for Maximizing Rebates

Learn from others' mistakes:

Do: - Apply early — programs can run out of funding - Keep every piece of paperwork - Use a contractor experienced with rebate programs - Consider bundling window replacement with other upgrades for bigger rebates - Take photos of old and new windows

Don't: - Start work before approval - Lose your ENERGY STAR labels or certificates - Miss deadlines for post-retrofit evaluation - Assume any contractor qualifies — check their registration - Forget about the rebate and miss the claim deadline

Pro tip: Some contractors handle all rebate paperwork for you. This is worth money — the process is time-consuming and detail-oriented.