Program sources checked October 29, 2026
Ontario’s Home Renovation Savings program lists assessment-based rebates of up to $1,500 for attic insulation, up to $1,500 for basement walls and up to $3,600 for exterior walls. Your amount depends on the insulation added, eligible area and home type. To get those amounts, a registered energy advisor has to assess your home before any work starts, and you must complete at least two qualifying upgrades.
The current terms require the final assessment to be scheduled and entered into the program system by November 30, 2026, then completed within 180 days of the first assessment or by December 31, 2026, whichever comes first.
That timing matters most if you’re renovating. If your basement or whole-home renovation already involves opening walls, planning the insulation at the same time can avoid removing new finishes later. For assessment-based rebates, the initial assessment has to happen before demolition, not after. Here are the amounts, the conditions that change them, a worked example and how to fit the assessment into your renovation plan.
| Quick summary | |
|---|---|
| Attic only, no assessment | Up to $1,250 through a participating contractor. Work must be finished by November 30, 2026. |
| Assessment route (2+ upgrades) | Published full-coverage tiers: attic $900–$1,500 · basement walls $900–$1,500 · exterior walls $1,200–$3,600 · basement slab $500 · $600 back for the assessments · +$500 for three upgrades |
| Total cap | $5,000 for homes heated with Enbridge natural gas · $10,000 for homes heated with electricity, oil, propane or wood |
| The rule people miss | For the assessment-based rebates, complete the first assessment before work. The attic-only option has a separate contractor-visit requirement. |
| Deadline (current terms) | Final assessment scheduled and entered into the program system by Nov 30, 2026; completed by Dec 31, 2026 or within 180 days of the first one, whichever comes first |
All amounts are in Canadian dollars. Figures below are published tiers or maximums, not a quote or a guaranteed payment.
In this guide
- How much Ontario pays for insulation
- Rules for rebates that require an assessment
- Worked example: what one house could get back
- The December 31 cutoff, and what to do if you renovate this winter
- Which rebate fits your renovation
- How to apply, step by step
- Quick answers
How much Ontario pays for insulation in 2026
The program is Home Renovation Savings, run by Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy with the Ontario government. There are two ways to apply. R-value measures resistance to heat flow: a higher value means more insulating resistance. The program distinguishes the insulation already present from the insulation you add.
Route 1: attic insulation without an assessment
| Your attic today | Insulate to | Rebate up to |
|---|---|---|
| R-12 or less | R-50 | $1,250 |
| Above R-12 to R-25 | R-50 | $1,000 |
| Above R-25 to R-35 | R-50 | $800 |
| Flat roof or cathedral ceiling, R-25 or less | R-28 | $750 |
| Flat roof or cathedral ceiling, R-12 or less | R-20 | $650 |
This route is simple but narrow. You must use one of the program’s participating contractors, the whole roof assembly has to be insulated, and the contractor submits the application. Registration is closed to new contractors; that does not mean homeowner applications are closed. The rebate is limited to 50% of the insulation cost after tax, up to your tier maximum. The work must be finished by November 30, 2026 and entered into the program system by December 31, 2026. Complete the participating contractor’s initial home visit before installation. See the official attic program and attic eligibility requirements.
Route 2: the assessment route (at least two upgrades)
If you are renovating and considering more than one eligible upgrade, start with an assessment. The table shows the published maximums and full-coverage wall tiers; check the coverage note below before using them in your budget.
| Upgrade | Condition | Published maximum / tier |
|---|---|---|
| Attic | From R-12 or less to at least R-50 | $1,500 |
| From above R-12 up to R-25, to at least R-50 | $1,200 | |
| From above R-25 up to R-35, to at least R-50 | $900 | |
| Basement / foundation walls | Add above R-22, on 100% of the basement wall area | $1,500 |
| Add R-10 to R-22, on 100% of the basement wall area | $900 | |
| Exterior walls | Add above R-20, on 100% of the wall area | $3,600 |
| Add above R-12 up to R-20, on the full eligible wall area | $2,100 | |
| Add R-7.5 up to R-12, on the full eligible wall area | $1,200 | |
| Basement slab | At least 50% of the slab, minimum R-3.5 | $500 |
| Basement header | 80% of the header, minimum R-20; only together with basement wall or crawl space insulation | $300 |
| Crawl space | Walls or ceiling, depending on R-value | $600–$1,200 |
| Exposed floor | Add at least R-20 across the entire eligible exposed floor, minimum 120 sq ft; confirm addition eligibility | $300 |
| Cathedral ceiling / flat roof | To R-28 from R-25 or less, or to R-20 from R-12 or less | $780 |
| Air sealing | Meet or beat the air-tightness target in your advisor’s report | $200–$250 |
| Windows and doors | ENERGY STAR; at least three window openings, or one door, skylight or sliding door | $100 per opening |
| Heat pump water heater | Eligible ENERGY STAR model replacing the qualifying existing water-heater type; check the fuel-specific requirements | $500 |
| Three or more upgrades | Bundle bonus | +$500 |
| Energy assessments | Paid after successful completion; available once per participant, per home | $600 back |
Insulation amounts are the same whether you heat with gas, electricity, oil, propane or wood. Sources: Home Renovation Savings assessment rebates and program help, checked October 29, 2026. Wall amounts may be reduced for coverage and home type.
Heat pumps have a separate application process. Our heat pump rebate guide covers the Ontario and federal amounts.
Rules for rebates that require an assessment
Before choosing work around a rebate amount, check these conditions:
- The assessment comes before any work. The program says an initial home energy assessment is required before you begin. Your advisor has to measure the house before it changes. Insulation that’s already behind new drywall can’t be shown as an upgrade.
- Count qualifying measures, not individual jobs. Basement walls and the foundation header together count as one upgrade; a qualifying basement slab is a separate upgrade. Three windows count as one upgrade, not three. You need at least two qualifying upgrades, and three qualify for the $500 bonus.
- Check wall coverage before budgeting the payment. The program webpage presents wall rebates at 100% coverage. Its detailed eligibility PDF allows at least 20% coverage with prorated rebates and maximums reduced to 75% for semi-detached or end-row homes and 50% for middle-row homes. Ask the service organization to confirm the amount for your scope before relying on either figure. Assessment-based attic rebates also depend on the share insulated; the PDF requires at least 50% of the roof assembly.
- Use the same service organization. The final assessment must be done by the same service organization that did the first one.
- Air sealing goes later. Your home has to hit an air-tightness target. The program recommends choosing air sealing as your third upgrade or later. If it is your second measure and the home misses the target, you may fail the two-upgrade minimum.
You must own an eligible home: a detached, semi-detached, row or townhouse, or a mobile home on a permanent foundation. Stacked townhomes are excluded. Gas-heated homes need an active Enbridge account; other eligible heating fuels require connection to the Ontario electricity grid served by the program; Cornwall Electric is excluded. New homes need at least six months of occupancy. A secondary suite needs a separate eligibility check, explained below. The owner applies where tenants live in the home.
Worked example: what one house could get back
For illustration, take a detached GTA bungalow heated with Enbridge gas. The attic has R-12, the basement walls are bare concrete, and the owners plan to finish the basement this year.
| Upgrade | Rebate |
|---|---|
| Entire attic topped up from R-12 to R-50 | $1,500 |
| Basement walls insulated, adding more than R-22 on every wall | $1,500 |
| Air sealing that beats the target by 10% | $250 |
| Bundle bonus for three upgrades | $500 |
| Assessment rebate | $600 |
| Total | $4,350 |
Illustration built from the program’s published amounts, not a client project. Your advisor’s report decides what your home qualifies for.
Two things this example shows. First, the basement wall tier is worth checking before you frame. Adding R-10 to R-22 pays $900; adding more than R-22 pays $1,500. Ask your contractor what R-value the planned wall assembly adds. Compare the added construction cost and suitability of the assembly with the additional rebate; a higher rebate does not automatically make the upgrade better value. Second, gas-heated homes hit the cap fast. Add exterior wall insulation during a gut renovation and this house could pass $5,000, the cap for gas-heated homes. Homes heated with electricity, oil, propane or wood can receive up to $10,000.
The December 31 cutoff, and what to do if you renovate this winter
The program’s assessment terms (November 2025 version) set two dates: the final assessment must be scheduled and entered into the program system by November 30, 2026 and completed by December 31, 2026, or within 180 days of the first assessment, whichever comes first.
As of October 29, 2026, the November 30 scheduling-and-entry date is 32 days away, and December 31 is about nine weeks away. Your schedule must allow for the first assessment, eligible work and final assessment within those dates. Ask the service organization and contractor to confirm availability before committing; the calendar alone does not establish that a renovation can finish in time.
The official sources checked on October 29 do not confirm the terms for work completed in 2027. Do not include a future rebate in a committed renovation budget until the program confirms your eligibility and dates.
So, depending on where you are:
- Small job, ready now: if you choose the assessment route, confirm both assessments and the installation schedule before starting. For attic-only work, confirm the participating contractor’s first visit, installation and submission dates.
- Renovation starting this winter: if you plan to claim assessment-based rebates, ask an energy advisor how the current deadline affects your plan before demolition. Select the insulation for the building and budget; treat an unconfirmed rebate separately.
- Renovation in spring 2027: develop the scope, drawings and any permit requirements now. Recheck program terms before booking an assessment or starting work that could affect eligibility.
Which insulation rebate fits your renovation
Start with the renovation you actually need. If it exposes existing walls or floors, check whether insulation belongs in that same scope before finishes go back. A rebate can offset eligible work; it does not pay for the whole renovation.
| Renovation | What opens up | Rebates to plan for |
|---|---|---|
| Basement finishing | Foundation walls included in your scope | Check wall tiers, header and slab eligibility with your advisor. Walls plus header count as one upgrade; a qualifying slab can be the second. Air sealing only counts if the target is achieved |
| Legal basement suite | Foundation walls and the heating plan for the home | The owner applies. Whole-home assessments and centralized heating are required. The PDF excludes homes originally built as multi-family dwellings and two-zone multi-unit buildings requiring separate blower-door tests. Confirm your home’s configuration with the service organization |
| Underpinning | The foundation walls and a new slab | A new slab is a useful time to plan insulation. Eligible slab work and basement walls can count as two upgrades; confirm the design and coverage with the advisor |
| Whole-home renovation | Exterior walls, attic, windows | Check exterior-wall and attic tiers, eligible replacement windows at $100 per rough opening, and air sealing. Coverage, home type and the program cap affect the total |
| Home addition | New rooms, and often the existing attic and walls where they connect | The PDF names exposed addition floors as an example of floor insulation, but that does not make all new construction eligible. Ask which work on the addition and existing house qualifies |
| Kitchen renovation | Often a window or a patio door | An eligible replacement sliding door or at least three eligible replacement windows can count as one upgrade. New openings or cabinetry alone do not establish eligibility |
Lower-income households should check the free programs first: Enbridge’s Home Winterproofing Program and Save on Energy’s Energy Affordability Program offer free upgrades, including insulation, to homes and households that qualify.
How to apply, step by step
For attic-only work, follow the participating contractor process above. The steps below apply when you choose the assessment route.
- Confirm eligibility and timing. Check your home, proposed work and both assessment dates with the service organization.
- Book the first assessment with a registered energy advisor from a program-approved service organization, before any work, demolition included.
- Read the report, then choose your upgrades and the R-values to hit.
- Do the work. Ask your advisor what records they need. Keep the invoices, and photograph the insulation before drywall goes up.
- Book the final assessment with the same service organization: scheduled and entered into the program system by November 30, 2026, and done by December 31, 2026 or within 180 days of the first one, whichever comes first.
- Get paid. After the advisor submits everything, the program says rebates arrive within about 30 days by Interac e-Transfer or 60 days by cheque.
Planning a renovation? Put the insulation in the drawings
Agree on the insulation, air sealing and heating scope alongside the layout and finishes. Complete the initial assessment before demolition, then use its recommendations to inform the drawings and quote. That sequence lets you compare the cost of the proposed work with any confirmed rebate.
Capable Group brings 25 years of renovation experience to Toronto and GTA projects, with a free estimate visit and free 3D design. If you are planning a basement or whole-home renovation, bring your energy advisor’s recommendations into the scope discussion alongside the layout and finishes. That gives the renovation team a clear basis for pricing the work before construction.
Get a Quote and tell us your city, the rooms involved and your timing. Mention whether you have had an energy assessment. This is a renovation enquiry, not a rebate application; your service organization handles the assessment process and the program decides eligibility.
Quick answers
How much is the insulation rebate in Ontario?
Published assessment-based maximums include $1,500 for an attic, $1,500 for basement walls, $3,600 for exterior walls and $500 for a basement slab. The amount depends on your qualifying work, coverage and home type. A separate attic-only program offers up to $1,250 without an energy assessment.
Is there a rebate for basement insulation in Ontario?
Yes. The published basement-wall tiers are $900 for added R-10 to R-22, or $1,500 for more than R-22 at full coverage. Confirm any coverage or home-type reduction with the service organization. You need an assessment before work and at least two qualifying upgrades.
Do I need an energy assessment to get an insulation rebate?
For assessment-based insulation rebates, yes: the first assessment comes before work and the same service organization completes the final one. The separate attic-only program requires a participating contractor’s visit instead.
What are the 2026 insulation rebate deadlines?
The assessment terms require the final assessment to be scheduled and entered into the system by November 30, 2026, then completed within 180 days of the first assessment or by December 31, 2026, whichever comes first. Attic-only installation is due November 30, with documentation entered by December 31. The checked sources do not confirm 2027 terms.
What is the maximum Home Renovation Savings rebate?
$5,000 for homes heated with Enbridge natural gas and $10,000 for homes heated with electricity, oil, propane or wood, under the program’s assessment terms.
Can I get the rebate for work done before my first assessment?
No. The assessment has to measure the home before the upgrade, so work done before the first assessment doesn’t qualify for the assessment-route rebates.
Can gas-heated homes get insulation rebates?
Yes, if you’re an active Enbridge Gas customer who mainly heats with natural gas. The insulation amounts are the same as for electrically heated homes; the total cap is lower ($5,000 instead of $10,000).
Program sources checked October 29, 2026: assessment-based rebates; help and support; assessment eligibility requirements; attic-only rebates; attic eligibility requirements. Confirm current terms before committing to work.
