Ontario unveils new rebates, incentives under $10.9B energy plan

The Ontario government is rolling out new rebates for energy-efficient home appliances and incentives for industrial, municipal, institutional and healthcare organizations as part of its  $10.9-billion, 12-year commitment to energy efficiency.

Beginning this fall, as part of the Home Renovation Savings Program (HRSP), homeowners can receive rebates of up to $200 for a wide range of energy-efficient appliances, including refrigerators, freezers and laundry machines. Appliances can be purchased from any retailer, either online or in-store, with rebates issued within 60 days of approval. All homes on Ontario’s electricity grid, including condos and apartments, will be eligible, provided the appliance meets the criteria, such as replacing older, less energy-efficient electric models.

These changes build on the first phase of the HRSP, launched in January 2025, which continues to offer savings on insulation, smart thermostats, and rooftop solar.

The expanded program will now also provide rebates for attic insulation without requiring a home energy assessment, while still offering the assessment-based option.

Electricity demand is expected to rise significantly over the next 25 years, with many homes and businesses still relying on inefficient appliances and industrial processes that increase costs. The energy savings program is already on track to exceed its 2025 targets, delivering up to 685 gigawatt-hours in energy savings and 226 megawatts in peak demand reduction as of June 2025 – the equivalent of removing more than 220,000 homes from the grid.

“Ontario’s investment in energy efficiency shows how demand-side solutions can lower costs, create good jobs, and make our energy system more reliable,” said Corey Diamond executive director of Efficiency Canada. “When we treat saved energy like a resource, it pays people instead of power plants — and that’s a smart approach for affordability and climate progress.”

Large-scale energy efficiency projects

The province is also expanding support for major energy efficiency projects in industrial, municipal, institutional, and healthcare sectors. Under the Save on Energy XLerate Program, the maximum incentive per project will rise from $5 million to $15 million, helping fund large, complex industrial projects that deliver measurable energy savings through technologies and reduced electricity consumption.

Key features include:

• Feasibility study support: Covers 50 per cent of study costs, up to $100,000, to help organizations scope and develop eligible projects;
• Streamlined application processes: A single sign-off and first-come-first-served intake making it faster and easier to apply; and
• Broader eligibility and longer timelines: To support early-stage planning and implementation across a wider range of sectors.

Ontario’s Energy Efficiency Framework is forecasted to reduce the province’s peak demand by 3,000 megawatts by 2036.