If your home feels hotter than it should be, your insulation might be the problem.

We often think of insulation as a cold weather concern, but proper insulation means a more comfortable home and lower energy bills all year. Two key programs could help you upgrade yours at no cost. 

Why insulation matters, year round

You can think of insulation as a barrier that slows heat transfer between the interior and exterior of your home. Insulation works alongside air sealing: closing gaps around pipes, vents, and other openings where air sneaks through. Together, these measures keep warm air in during the winter, and hot air out in the summer. 

Without good insulation, your heating and cooling systems work harder than they should, your energy bills are higher, and certain rooms are hotter or colder than you’d like. With proper insulation you can save money, while enjoying a more comfortable home — winter and summer. 

Signs your insulation needs an upgrade

If any of these describe your home, an insulation upgrade may be the answer.

• Upper floors feel uncomfortable in winter or summer, or you notice temperature differences between rooms.
• Your energy bills are higher than your neighbours’ with similarly sized homes.
• Your attic insulation is outdated or has never been upgraded.
• Your home was built before modern energy codes.

Upgrade for free with two key programs

Through Save on Energy’s Energy Affordability Program and Enbridge’s Home Winterproofing Program (which also helps keep homes cooler in summer!), residents who qualify can receive free upgrades to make their homes more comfortable, save money, and use less energy. 

The programs provide:

• A free home energy assessment to see what upgrades will help in your home
• Free professional installation, usually completed in a single day
• Other upgrades depending on your energy needs and eligibility. 

Not sure if you’re eligible? We can help. 

EnviroCentre’s dedicated, non-profit team is proud to deliver these programs in your community. We’ve already helped over 18,000 families in Eastern Ontario get free energy-saving upgrades. We’re here to help you, too.

The first step is to answer a few quick questions. The form takes less than 2 minutes to complete, is completely confidential, and has no obligation. If you’re eligible, our friendly customer service team will help you with the next steps. Even if your home doesn’t qualify for insulation, you may still be eligible for other free upgrades. We’ll match you with the program that’s the best fit for your home.

Is your home heated with oil? Now’s the time to upgrade to a heat pump.

If you currently heat your home with oil, switching to a cold-climate heat pump could cut your home heating costs by up to 50%. And you might be able to make this change completely FREE—if you act now.

Save on Energy’s Energy Affordability Program (EAP) has recently expanded their eligibility to include cold climate air source heat humps for oil heated homes, thanks to the funding support from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) through its Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) program.

This means that income-eligible Ontario homeowners who heat with oil may now qualify to receive a high-efficiency heat pump system at no cost. Everything is totally covered, from a home assessment with a Registered Energy Advisor to professional installation.

Apply before December 31, 2026. Limited time offering!

What is a heat pump?

A heat pump is a highly efficient, all-in-one heating and cooling system that runs on electricity. In winter, it pulls warmth from the outside air into your home. In summer, it works in reverse as an air conditioner. It also filters dust and allergens and reduces indoor humidity, so your home is more comfortable year-round.

Why switch from oil to heat pump?

• Save money: Potentially thousands of dollars annually on heating costs
• Stay comfortable: No more oil fumes, soot or poor air quality. Instead, get heating, cooling, and air filtration all in one system
• Save hassle: No more inconvenient oil deliveries or potential leaks
•  Reduce emissions: Significantly cut your household’s greenhouse gas output
• Get it free!: If you qualify, there’s no cost and no catch. Everything is free, from assessment to installation.

Ready to get started?

You may qualify if you:

• Own your home in Ontario
• Currently heat with an above-ground oil tank 
• Meet the income threshold for your household size, or already receive a qualifying government benefit. 

If you live in Eastern Ontario, our team is ready to answer your questions and guide you through the process. EnviroCentre is the only authorized delivery agent of these programs in Eastern Ontario and supports all households with postal codes starting with “K.” 

Take the first step toward a new heat pump or other energy saving programs today. 

Energy costs are squeezing households across Canada, and newcomers face a particular challenge: many are eligible for free programs to lower their bills, but don’t know how to access them. Power Up is a new initiative to change that.

How It Works

Power Up provides language support and hands-on guidance to help newcomer and multilingual residents in Ottawa access existing, fully funded energy savings programs.

The model is practical and powerful: we hire and train community members to work in their own neighbourhoods, in their native languages. These trusted Energy Ambassadors offer education and support in Arabic, Mandarin, Hindi, and Spanish, helping residents navigate programs they’d otherwise miss. Hindi services are also available in Belleville.

The Ambassadors guide residents all the way through the process, from first conversation to eligibility check, application, and installation. Through programs including the Save on Energy™ Energy Affordability Program and the Enbridge Gas Home Winterproofing Program, participating households can reduce their annual energy bills by hundreds of dollars.

Meet our Ambassadors

From left to right: Mia is originally from China and provides help in Mandarin; Sourabh is originally from India and provides help in Hindi; Mario is originally from Mexico and provides help in Spanish; Noor is originally from Lebanon and provides help in Arabic.

“When people receive information in their own language and feel understood, they are more confident accessing supports and making informed decisions for their families. That’s what motivates me.”

– Dana Al Mansour, Energy Ambassador. Dana is originally from Kuwait and provides help in Arabic.

From Pilot to Province-Wide

Power Up launched in Ottawa in June 2026 as a pilot project, focusing on five neighbourhoods: Heron Gate, Bayshore, Cyrville, Kanata West and Greenboro/South Keys. These areas have among the highest proportions of non-English and non-French-speaking residents in Ottawa, combined with higher-than-average home energy cost burdens.

In its first year, the program aims to engage 2,000 residents and connect 300 households to fully funded home energy upgrades. Once we show it works here, we plan to bring Power Up to communities province-wide in 2027.

Partner with Us

Power Up aims to engage people in the languages and communities where they live. If you work with newcomer or immigrant communities — whether you’re a settlement agency, cultural association, language program, or community health centre — we’d love to work together. Email us at powerup@envirocentre.ca to connect.

Looking for help?

If you speak Arabic, Mandarin, Hindi, or Spanish at home and want to learn more about free energy upgrades, visit the Power Up program page, or email us to get started.

Upgrading your home’s energy efficiency can feel overwhelming — but the financial help available across Canada makes it much more accessible.

From heat pumps and insulation to solar panels and smart thermostats, federal, provincial, and municipal programs offer rebates, loans, and incentives to reduce both your energy use and your costs. Browse the programs below by region to find what’s available where you live.

Central Canada 

Ontario 

• Better Homes Kingston 
  Get a zero-interest loan for energy-efficiency upgrades. 

• Better Homes Lanark 
  Low-interest loans for deep energy retrofits for single-family homeowners in Lanark County. 

• Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program 
  Ottawa residents can get low-interest loans to make your home more energy efficient. 

• Better Homes Peterborough Loan Program 
  Borrow up to $50,000 to make your home more energy efficient. 

• Home Renovation Savings (HRS) Program 
  Get money back for upgrades like windows, doors, insulation, smart thermostats, heat pumps, and solar panels. 

Quebec 

• LogisVert by Hydro‑Québec 
  Financial assistance for energy-efficient appliances and heating systems. 

• Rénoclimat program 
  Get advice and financial support to lower energy use in your home. 

Federal Programs 

• CMHC Eco Plus Program 
  You can get a rebate of up to 25% on your mortgage insurance premium for energy improvements in your new home. 

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Western Canada 

Alberta 

• Province of Alberta Incentives  
  Find municipal government programs that help pay for upgrades like doors, windows, insulation, HVAC systems, and solar panels. 

British Columbia 

• CleanBC  
  Get rebates and other incentives for energy-efficient upgrades across the province. 

Manitoba 

• Efficiency Manitoba 
  Find all available energy-saving programs for Manitobans. 

Saskatchewan 

• SaskEnergy  
  Rebates and incentives for energy-saving home improvements. 

• City of Saskatoon Home Energy Loan Program 
  Low-interest loans for energy saving upgrades, renewable energy installs, and water conservation. 

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Atlantic Canada 

Nova Scotia 

• Efficiency Nova Scotia 
  Find all available programs and services to help Nova Scotians save energy. 

New Brunswick 

• SaveEnergyNB  
  Find all available energy programs across the province. 

Newfoundland and Labrador 

• TakeCHARGE  
  Get rebates for insulation, thermostats, and heating systems. Find all the information you need in one place. 

Prince Edward Island 

• Net Zero Navigator 
  Find all available energy-saving programs in PEI. 

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Northern Canada 

Northwest Territories 

• Arctic Energy Alliance 
  This is the place to get advice and find all energy saving programs in NWT. 

Nunavut 

• Renewable Energy Cabin Grant Program 
  One-time non-repayable grants to help cabin owners install sustainable energy systems. 

Nunatsiavut 

• Nunatsiavut Energy Efficiency Retrofit (NEER) Program 
  Get help with energy-saving upgrades to use less energy in your home and cut greenhouse gas emissions.  

Yukon 

• Good Energy Program 
  Get rebates for energy-saving upgrades to homes and buildings. 

If you’re thinking about applying to a free energy-saving program but still feel unsure, you’re not alone. We get asked all the time whether these programs are real, whether they actually help save money, or whether there’s a catch. 

Here are two great programs we deliver that you might qualify for: 

• Energy Affordability Program from Save on Energy  
• Home Winterproofing Program from Enbridge Gas 

The good news? These programs are totally legit! Both programs are fully funded home energy retrofit programs for income-eligible Ontarians. They’re designed to help you lower your energy bills and make your home more comfortable. And best of all – there’s no cost to you.  

EnviroCentre Affordability is the only authorized delivery partner of the Save on Energy: Energy Affordability Program and Enbridge Gas Home Winterproofing Program in Eastern Ontario. We can help households with postal codes starting with “K.”   

What to expect, step by step 

Step 1: Check your eligibility 

Applying is easy! You won’t need to dig through piles of paperwork. Just fill out our quick form to get started. 

Step 2: A quick screening call 

After you apply, someone from our team will give you a call. We’ll ask a few simple questions to confirm your eligibility and match you with the right program for your home. It’s fast, we’re friendly, and we’re here to help guide you through the process. 

Step 3: Your in-home energy assessment 

If you qualify, we’ll schedule a home visit with a Registered Energy Advisor. Here’s what happens during the visit: 

• You’ll sign a few forms, and we’ll check your documents to confirm eligibility. 
• With your permission, the advisor may install free upgrades such as LED light bulbs, efficient showerheads, faucet aerators, and even a clothes drying rack. 
• They’ll ask about your appliances and how you use energy at home. You’ll get tips to help you save even more. 
• The advisor will check the age and efficiency of your appliances, and in some cases, look for drafts and measure insulation. 
• They’ll take photos of different parts of your home and appliances to help us figure out what upgrades you would benefit from the most. 

Step 4: After the visit 

After the assessment, our team will review everything to see if your home qualifies for more upgrades, like new appliances or insulation. 

If you qualify, we’ll contact you with the results and walk you through the next steps for professional installation through our trusted contractors. You can choose to accept or decline any upgrades that we offer, it’s totally up to you. 

Why you can trust us 

We get it – free programs can sound too good to be true. That’s why we’ll never show up at your home without an appointment or ask for any form of payment.  

These programs are fully funded by Ontario’s energy utilities and the federal government:  

• Save on Energy (through the Independent Electricity System Operator)  
• Enbridge Gas  
• And Natural Resources Canada  

They were created to help people like you save energy and stay comfortable all year. So far, we’ve helped over 18,000 households in Eastern Ontario get free energy saving upgrades, and yours could be next! 

Ready to get started? 

Want to find out if you qualify and take the first step to saving energy at home? 
Check your eligibility – it’s free! 

If you’re interested in lowering your energy bills and making your home more comfortable, improving your home’s energy efficiency is a great place to start. But figuring out where to start can be confusing. Luckily, there are free programs that can help and applying is easier than you might think.  

EnviroCentre works with trusted partners to deliver energy-saving upgrades for low-income households. These upgrades can include a cold climate heat pump, LED light bulbs, better insulation, energy-efficient appliances, and smart thermostats. They can help your family stay comfortable while spending less on energy and more on what matters most. 

How to apply to energy affordability programs 

Wondering where to start? We’ll walk you through the steps, fill in any gaps, and make sure you’re matched with the support you need.  

We’ll match you to one or both of these programs: Save on Energy’s Energy Affordability Program, or Enbridge’s Home Winterproofing Program. You don’t need to figure out which one fits; you’ll just fill out a quick form, and we’ll take care of the rest.  

Our team is here to make the process easy. We’ll ask the right questions and connect you to the best-fit program. If it’s a match, we’ll schedule your free home energy visit during the same phone call. You don’t have to figure it all out alone. We’ll do the work, so you can enjoy the benefits. 

Applying doesn’t have to be hard: Your next steps  

1. Start with a quick eligibility check. This takes less than two minutes and doesn’t need any paperwork up front. You don’t need to know which program you qualify for; we’ll do the matching for you. 

2. Your free home energy assessment is scheduled. If you qualify, we’ll book a free home energy assessment. A Registered Energy Advisor will visit your home to look for ways to improve your home’s energy use. They’ll look at things like sealing drafts, upgrading insulation, or replacing older appliances.   

3. Receive your free upgrades. The upgrades you receive will depend on your home’s needs and heating system. You could get LED light bulbs and smart thermostats, or major upgrades like basement and attic insulation or a cold-climate heat pump. All installed by professionals. All at no cost to you!

Common questions  

Our team makes it easy to participate in these programs, and we’ll help you every step of the way. Whether you’re a renter, homeowner, or helping your parents apply, we’re here to guide you through the process.  

Can I apply if I rent my home or live in an apartment? 

Yes! Renters and apartment residents may qualify. You might need your landlord’s permission for some upgrades, but we’ll help guide you through that.  

Can I apply on behalf of someone else – like a parent? 

Absolutely. If you’re helping someone who could benefit from these programs, you can assist with the application. We’ll make sure they get matched to the right program. 

Is this really free? What’s the catch? 

Yes, it’s really free! There’s no catch. These programs are funded by the government and utility partners. There are no loans, no hidden fees, and no obligations. Just real help for people who need it. 

Still have questions? We’re here to help. Fill out the form to the best of your knowledge – we’ll fill in the gaps and make sure you’re matched with the right support.  

Why you should apply today 

So why apply? Because energy-efficient upgrades aren’t just about saving money. They’re about peace of mind. A well-insulated home means fewer cold spots and more consistent temperatures. A smart thermostat gives you better control over your comfort. And a cold-climate heat pump could mean finally having air conditioning in the summer. 

These programs also help make Ontario’s energy system stronger and more equitable. By reducing energy waste, we’re cutting emissions and making sure everyone can enjoy a cleaner, more efficient future. 

Ready to get started? 

If you’re ready to get started, take a moment to check your eligibility. It only takes two minutes.  

Check your eligibility – it’s free! 

Heating your home shouldn’t come with a side of worry, especially in winter. That’s why Ontario’s energy utilities are investing in programs that help families cut costs, stay warm, and use less energy.

And here’s the part that surprises most people: these upgrades are 100% free for eligible Ontario households. Yes, free!

Free programs for Ontario families

Eligible families can take part in the:

• Energy Affordability Program from Save on Energy
• And the Home Winterproofing Program from Enbridge Gas

These programs help Ontario families use less energy and stay comfortable all year.

What you could get at no cost to you

 The upgrades depend on each home, but they often include:

• Energy-efficient appliances that cut electricity use and last longer
• LED light bulbs that use up to 90 per cent less energy than older ones
• Added insulation and draft proofing to keep the heat where it belongs
• A cold-climate heat pump built to handle Ontario winters

Each household begins with a free home energy assessment, where an expert finds the best ways to save. From there, EnviroCentre’s team takes care of the installation and follow-up, at no cost to you.

For many families, the benefits go beyond savings. Drafts disappear; rooms stay evenly warm, and energy bills drop. These are real changes that make winter a little easier.

Why it’s free

These programs are funded by Ontario’s energy utilities and the federal government — Save on Energy (through the Independent Electricity System Operator), Enbridge Gas and Natural Resources Canada.

They’re part of a province-wide effort to make energy use more efficient. When homes waste less heat and electricity, it lowers demand on the system, reduces emissions and helps keep costs stable for everyone.

We’ve already helped over 18,000 families in Eastern Ontario get free energy saving upgrades.

We’re here to help you, too!