Quick Answer: The window replacement program Ontario homeowners can use in 2026 is Home Renovation Savings, run by Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy. It pays $100 per rough opening for ENERGY STAR certified windows, plus $600 toward energy assessments, when you bundle windows with at least one other eligible upgrade.
What Is the Window Replacement Program in Ontario?
The window replacement program in Ontario is Home Renovation Savings, a rebate delivered by Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy with support from the Ontario government. It pays $100 per rough opening when you swap old units for ENERGY STAR certified windows as part of an assessment-based retrofit with two or more upgrades.
It’s the only broad window rebate left. The federal Canada Greener Homes Grant, which paid $125 to $250 per rough opening, is closed, and December 31, 2025 was the last day to submit documents. The interest-free loan is gone too. Natural Resources Canada confirms both on its Canada Greener Homes Initiative page. The remaining federal option, the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program, is delivered through provinces and territories for low-to-median-income households. Eligible retrofits and grant amounts – Natural Resources Canada +2
One correction to much of what you’ll read online: windows alone don’t qualify.
The official rules require you to start with a home energy assessment and complete at least two upgrades. For homeowners in Mississauga, the GTA and the Greater Golden Horseshoe, where Leedway Group builds and renovates, that detail changes how a project should be planned.
How Much Does Window Replacement Cost in Ontario in 2026?
Replacement windows in Ontario run about $450 to $2,000 or more per window installed in 2026, according to current Ontario contractor pricing guides. A typical home with 12 to 16 windows lands between $8,000 and $25,000. Frame material, glass package and installation method account for most of that spread.
Window Frames: Vinyl vs. Fiberglass Windows
Window frames move the price more than any other choice you’ll make.
| Option | Installed cost per window | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl, double pane | $500 to $1,200 | Costs 30 to 40% less than fiberglass or wood |
| Fiberglass | $900 to $1,800 | Stable in temperature extremes and paintable |
| Triple pane upgrade | Add $150 to $350 | Better cold-wall comfort in winter |
| Full-frame install | Add $200 to $400 | Compared with an insert replacement |
Vinyl wins on price, which is why it’s the most common choice in the province. Fiberglass windows cost more, but the material doesn’t expand and contract as much as vinyl through an Ontario year. That matters on large openings and dark colours.
These are published ranges, not quotes. Bay windows, custom shapes and second-storey access in older brick homes push numbers higher.
Are Triple Pane Windows Worth the Upgrade?
Triple pane windows add a few hundred dollars per opening. Natural Resources Canada lists triple glazing among the key features to look for in windows, noting it delivers better exterior noise reduction and even more energy savings. canada
Here’s the tradeoff. The provincial rebate is a flat $100 per opening for any ENERGY STAR certified model, so the third pane has to earn its keep through comfort and lower heating bills. On a busy street or a north-facing wall, it usually does. On a sheltered south wall, the case is weaker.
How Do You Qualify for the Ontario Window Rebate?
To qualify for the Ontario window rebate, book an initial home energy assessment before any work starts. Then replace at least three window rough openings with ENERGY STAR certified models, complete one more eligible upgrade such as insulation or air sealing, and pass a follow-up assessment. The program pays out after it verifies the work.
Run the math before you get excited. Twelve windows earn $1,200, and a $600 rebate offsets the two assessments. That’s $1,800 against a project that likely costs $8,000 or more. The bigger money sits in the second upgrade: insulation rebates reach up to $7,700. If you’re already planning a larger renovation, coordinating windows with envelope work through a single design-build renovation team keeps the sequencing clean.
Timing is the real risk in fall 2026. Published summaries of the program terms say the follow-up assessment must be scheduled and entered in the program’s system by November 30, 2026. The date was already extended once from November 2025, and no further extension has been announced. Confirm current deadlines with the program before you sign a contract. ottawaservicedirectory
Energy Efficient Windows and ENERGY STAR Rules
Not every new window counts. To carry the ENERGY STAR mark in Canada, a model needs a U-factor of 1.22 W/m² or lower, or an Energy Rating of 34 or higher. The Most Efficient tier requires a U-factor of 1.05 or lower, or an ER of 40 or higher. nrcan-rncan
Why bother? NRCan’s guide to ENERGY STAR certified windows, doors and skylights says these openings can cause up to 25% of a home’s energy loss. Certified energy efficient windows are about 20% more efficient than the average window. canada
Check the exact model number on the federal searchable list of certified windows before you order. A brand name on a quote isn’t proof.
Window Installation and Window Maintenance After the Rebate
A certified window installed badly performs like a cheap one. NRCan advises homeowners to hire a professional, since trained installers ensure the products perform their best. It also suggests windows with higher insulation values on the eastern and northern sides of the house. For south and west exposures, solar heat gain values above 0.45 can cause uncomfortably warm rooms and higher cooling costs. key features helpful tips windows doors skylights +2
Good window installation also means keeping the labels on. Leave every ENERGY STAR label in place until the follow-up assessment is complete.
Window maintenance after that is simple. Inspect exterior caulking and weatherstripping each fall, and keep tracks and weep holes clear so water drains out instead of into the wall. Looking through completed renovation and custom home projects is a useful way to judge how a contractor handles those details.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much is the window rebate in Ontario in 2026?
The window rebate Ontario homeowners receive is $100 per rough opening through Home Renovation Savings, plus a $600 rebate that offsets the two required energy assessments. A 12-window project returns $1,800 in total. Insulation or air sealing completed in the same project earns separate rebates on top of that amount.
2. Can I get the rebate if I only replace my windows?
No. Home Renovation Savings places windows and doors in its assessment stream, which requires an initial home energy assessment and at least two eligible upgrades. Windows and doors together count as one upgrade, so you need a second measure such as insulation, air sealing or a heat pump water heater to qualify.
3. Is the Canada Greener Homes Grant still available for windows?
No. Natural Resources Canada lists the Canada Greener Homes Grant and the Canada Greener Homes Loan as closed, with December 31, 2025 as the final date to submit grant documents. The Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program still operates through provincial partners, but it serves low-to-median-income households rather than all homeowners.
4. What do windows need to qualify for the rebate?
Home Renovation Savings sets four conditions for windows:
- ENERGY STAR certified models only
- At least three window rough openings replaced
- An initial energy assessment completed before work begins
- One additional eligible upgrade and a follow-up assessment
Labels should stay on the glass until the energy advisor has completed the follow-up visit.
5. How much energy can new windows save?
Up to 25% of a home’s energy loss can come from windows, doors and skylights, according to Natural Resources Canada. ENERGY STAR certified windows are about 20% more efficient than average models, and Most Efficient models are up to 55% more efficient. Actual bill savings depend on your existing windows, heating fuel and installation quality.
Conclusion
New windows are a comfort and durability decision first. The rebate is a modest bonus that rewards doing the work alongside insulation or air sealing. If you want help planning a bundled renovation, Leedway Group answers common pre-construction and budgeting questions for homeowners across the GTA. Check deadlines first, because the current window replacement program Ontario offers is funded only through late 2026.
