The Green Energy Fund and all programs funded through it have been cancelled.

There are many conservation and renewable energy programs available in Ontario to help you in your efforts to be more energy aware for your home.

They are offered by various levels of government, by local electricity and natural gas utilities, by non-profit agencies, and by many other associations. Whether you are looking for more information, practical assistance, financial incentives, or other resources, the incentives listing for home will assist you in finding the programs best suited to your interests and needs. These initiatives and programs undertaken by groups and individuals across Ontario are of vital importance to our economy and our environment.

Enbridge

• Budget Billing Plan: The Budget Billing Plan offers Enbridge customers the opportunity to spread out their natural gas charges over 11 equal instalments to help control for fluctuating seasonal energy costs. Customers can sign up for the program between September and February. Contact Information: 1–877–362–7434
• Golden Age Service: The Golden Age Service offers residential customers 65 years or older a variety of benefits including: waiving of security deposits (if there is a good payment record); the option to pay for monthly gas bills after receiving your pension cheque (your bill will show the same due date, but there will not be late payment charges). Golden Age members can also benefit from these additional programs: special payment arrangements to help if you fall behind; Budget Billing Plan to spread payments out evenly throughout the year; and Pre-Authorized Payments to automatically withdraw monthly payments. Contact Information: 1–877–362–7434

Greater Sudbury Hydro Inc.

• Greater Sudbury’s Energy Meter Loan Program: The Greater Sudbury Hydro is offering residents free energy meter loans. Energy meters can help homeowners lower their energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through awareness. Discover: How many kilowatt hours (kWh) each appliance uses. How much does each appliance contribute to your hydro bill. Greater Sudbury Hydro has “Kill A Watt” monitors available for loan. Contact Information: 1-705-675-7536 x 2272

Union Gas

• Union gas offers programs to save money on energy
• saveONenergy COUPONS: SaveonEnergy Coupons helps you save on energy-efficient products for your home. Contact Information: 1-877-797-9473
• saveONenergy Heating & Cooling Incentive: With the HEATING & COOLING INCENTIVE, you can receive up to $650 by installing an ENERGY STAR® qualified central heating or cooling system. Contact Information: 1-877-797-9473

Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

• Mortgage Loan Insurance for Energy Efficient Housing Offer: A 10% refund on the Mortgage Loan Insurance premium maybe be available, if you use insured financing from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to buy an energy efficient home; purchase a house and make energy saving renovations; or renovate your existing home to make it more energy efficient. Contact Information: 1-866-389-1742

City of Hamilton

• Hamilton Utilities Arrears Program: The Hamilton Utilities Arrears Program offers low-income residents, Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) participants in Hamilton a credit towards their utility arrears, disconnections, and security deposits. Families with children are eligible for up to $1,500 per year and singles and couples without children up to $799 per year. Approved assistance is paid directly to the utility company. Contact Information: 1-905-546-2590

HEALTHY HOMES RENOVATION TAX CREDIT

What is it?

The Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit is a new permanent, refundable Personal Income Tax credit to assist with the cost of permanent home modifications that improve accessibility or help a senior be more functional or mobile at home.

The credit is worth up to $1,500 each year, calculated as 15 per cent of up to $10,000 in eligible home renovation expenses that will help seniors stay safely in their homes. It can also be claimed by senior homeowners and tenants, and people who share a home with a senior relative.

Amounts claimed by couples are subject to a combined maximum of $10,000 in eligible expenses per year. Different family members in a shared home can claim the credit. However, the total amount of the eligible expenses that can be claimed, per year, by all of those family members cannot exceed $10,000.

Spouses or common-law partners who live in separate homes because of medical necessity or because of a breakdown in their marriage or common-law relationship, can each claim up to $10,000 of expenses.

Am I eligible?

You are eligible if you are a:

• senior (65 years of age or older by the end of the taxation year for which the credit is claimed) who owns or rents your home, or
• a non-senior who is living with a family member who is a senior.

A landlord renting a home to a senior is not eligible.

There is no income test to qualify for this credit.

What expenses qualify?

Some examples of eligible expenses include:

• certain renovations to permit a first-floor occupancy or secondary suite for a senior
• grab bars and related reinforcements around the toilet, tub and shower
• handrails in corridors
• wheelchair ramps, stair/wheelchair lifts and elevators
• walk-in bathtubs
• wheel-in showers
• widening passage doors
• lowering existing counters/cupboards
• installing adjustable counters/cupboards
• light switches and electrical outlets placed in accessible locations
• door locks that are easy to operate
• lever handles on doors and taps, instead of knobs
• pull-out shelves under counter to enable work from a seated position
• non-slip flooring in the bathroom
• a hand-held shower on an adjustable rod or high-low mounting brackets
• additional light fixtures throughout the home and exterior entrances
• swing clear hinges on doors to widen doorways
• creation of knee space under the basin to enable use from a seated position (and insulation of any hot-water pipes)
• relocation of tap to front or side for easier access
• hands-free taps
• motion-activated lighting
• touch-and-release drawers and cupboards
• automatic garage door openers

What expenses do not qualify?

Expenses are ineligible if their primary purpose is to increase the value of the home or if they are for annual, recurring or routine repair maintenance or service.

Examples of ineligible expenses include:

• general maintenance – such as plumbing or electrical repairs
• repairs to a roof
• aesthetic enhancements such as landscaping or redecorating
• installing new windows or regular flooring
• installing heating or air conditioning systems
• replacing insulation

Devices are not eligible. These include:

• equipment for home medical monitoring
• equipment for home security (anti-burglary)
• wheelchairs
• walkers
• vehicles adapted for people with mobility limitations
• side swing ovens and appliances with front located controls
• fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors

Services are not eligible. These include:

• security or medical monitoring services
• home care services
• housekeeping services
• outdoor maintenance and gardening services