Energy rebates for renters in Canada

Can renters get energy rebates?

Most large rebates pay whoever owns the equipment, and in a rental that’s the landlord. Ontario’s Home Renovation Savings says it plainly: tenants can’t apply, so landlords apply for rental units. The federal National Heat Pump Rebate is also described for owners and landlords.

But a growing number of programs are written with tenants in mind, especially if you pay your own energy bills. The federal Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program is the first federal retrofit program to include tenants who pay their own bills, delivered through provincial partners.

Programs open to renters, by province

A selection of open programs that list renters as eligible, from our database:

Getting landlord permission

Programs that touch the building usually need the owner’s written consent. Enbridge’s Home Winterproofing Program asks for written landlord permission; B.C.’s Energy Savings Program and Manitoba’s assistance program have landlord consent forms.

When you ask, make it easy to say yes:

1. Send the program link and point out that the upgrade is free or paid by the program.
2. Explain what will be installed and roughly how long the work takes.
3. Offer to handle the scheduling and be home for the visits.
4. Ask for consent in writing (email is often enough) and keep a copy.

Upgrades renters can buy and take with them

These are yours, earn a rebate or lower your bills, and move when you do. We list what qualifies, not brands.

Income-qualified programs that include renters

Free-upgrade programs are where renters can get the most. Typical conditions: household income under a limit set by household size, the energy account in your name, and the landlord’s consent for anything installed.

• Ontario: the Energy Affordability Program qualifies you automatically if you received OESP, LEAP, Ontario Works, ODSP or GIS in the past 12 months.
• Québec: Éconologis serves owners and tenants of any heating type, though 2026–2027 registration is full.
• Nova Scotia: HomeWarming is homeowner-only for now, even though the federal funding behind it allows renters. Renters in electrically heated homes can use Free Product Installation instead, with written permission from the landlord.
• P.E.I.: the Winter Warming Program offers free air sealing to low- and moderate-income Islanders, including tenants.

Bills a worry this winter? Our page of heat pump rebates by province shows the income-tested programs in each province, several of which your landlord can apply for on your behalf.

Talking to your landlord about bigger upgrades

Landlords have real money available, which makes the conversation easier than it sounds:

• Ontario landlords can claim Home Renovation Savings for rental units they own, at the same rates as owner-occupiers when they buy the equipment (the lower $500-per-ton rate is for rented heat pumps).
• New Brunswick’s Rental Owners Rebate funds heat pumps, insulation and windows in rental buildings.
• LogisVert pays an extra $100 per 1,000 BTU/h for Cold Climate wall units in older multi-unit rentals in designated areas, when each unit has its own meter, tenants pay their own electricity and the building’s value per unit is below the regional median (condos excluded).
• Énergir’s low-income thermostat supplement in rental buildings is split 40% to the owner and 60% to the tenants.
• The upcoming National Heat Pump Rebate lists landlords as eligible.

A short email with the program name, the amount and a link is often all it takes. If your landlord agrees, our form can connect them with local installers who work with these programs.