If You're Thinking of Buying or Building an Energy-Efficient Home
Step 1: Find out how energy-efficient your house or unit is and obtain the supporting documentation
In order for your application to be processed you will have to provide confirmation that your home or unit complies with the applicable qualifying requirement.
For houses and units located in low rise residential buildings
The house or unit must:
For purchases with a closing date... |
EnerGuide Rating Required |
On or after January 1st, 2013 |
82 |
From April 1st, 2010 to December 31st, 2012 |
80 |
From July 27st, 2005 to March 31st, 2010 |
77 |
You must obtain and provide CMHC with one of the following supporting documents:
To be eligible, the supporting documentation must be dated no more than five years prior to the date of the application for a partial premium refund. Where the applicable supporting documentation is older than 5 years, the borrower is required to obtain a current energy efficiency evaluation.
For units located in high rise residential buildings
To demonstrate eligibility you must obtain a letter signed by the project engineer, builder / developer or Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) confirming:
If the closing date of your mortgage is on or after January 1st, 2013, the building in which the unit is located has to be the higher of:
- 5% more energy-efficient than if constructed to meet provincial/territorial requirements (where they exist); or
- 20% more energy-efficient than if constructed to meet the Model National Energy Code for Buildings (MNECB).
If the closing date of your mortgage is prior to January 1st, 2013, the building in which the unit is located has to be at least 25% more energy-efficient than if constructed to meet the requirements of the Model National Energy Code for Buildings (MNECB).
The letter must include the building address and confirm that it meets the applicable qualifying requirement (as described above). The Condominium Corporation or builder / developer may be able to help you obtain the letter.
If you are planning on building a new home and your builder is not a member of a CMHC-eligible energy-efficient building program, you should have an energy advisor evaluate the building plans before the house is built. This can help you ensure that you will meet CMHC's requirements once the construction of the home is complete and it is evaluated.
Step 2: If required, boost your energy efficiency
If the house you plan to buy does not meet the applicable energy-efficiency requirement (see step 1 for more details), to be eligible for a refund, you will need to obtain an EnerGuide rating through an NRCan qualified energy advisor and renovate using part of the CMHC insured funds based on your energy advisor's list of recommendations in order to increase your score by at least 5 points and to a minimum overall rating of 40.
Step 3: Discuss and arrange a CMHC-insured mortgage
Talk to your lender and ask for a CMHC insured mortgage.
Step 4: Confirm the improvement
After you make the renovations recommended by your energy advisor, you will need to have a second assessment done to determine the energy-saving effectiveness of the renovations. To be eligible for a premium refund, the second rating must show that the house has achieved an increase of 5 points to a minimum overall rating of 40.
Step 5: Apply for your Premium Refund
-
Apply online for your premium refund.
OR
- Complete the PDF version of the application form Energy-Efficient Renovations or Purchase of an Energy-Efficient Home and send it to CMHC, along with the supporting documentation by fax at 1-800- 245-9274, or by mail at 700 Montreal Road, Suite 1000, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0P7. NOTE: You can choose to complete the PDF form electronically or by hand. In both cases, you will have to print it and sign it.