If you’ve been thinking about replacing your windows, there’s never been a better moment to plan it smartly. The Canada Greener Homes Loan (CGHL) is a federal, interest-free loan designed to help homeowners complete energy-efficiency upgrades—including ENERGY STAR® windows and doors—that make homes more comfortable and lower monthly energy costs. Below is a comprehensive, plain-English guide tailored to window projects: what the loan is, who qualifies, how to apply, where timelines stand in 2025, and how Nordik can help you navigate the process start to finish.
Bottom Line
“Interest-free loans of up to $40,000 with a repayment term of 10 years to help you undertake major home retrofits.”
Quick Answers to the Questions People ask us Most
Is the Canada Greener Homes Loan ending?
No official end date has been announced as of August 22, 2025. In fact, the program was extended with an additional $600 million in funding to meet strong demand, according to the federal delivery partner CMHC .
When is the Canada Greener Homes Loan ending?
No firm end date is posted by NRCan. Government programs do operate within budgets and policy cycles, so availability is funding-dependent. Always check the official NRCan/CMHC pages before you apply.
Did the Canada Greener Homes Grant end?
Yes—for new applicants. The Canada Greener Homes Grant (the grant, not the loan) stopped taking new applicants in 2024 . If you were already in the grant stream, the final deadline to complete your work and request funding is December 31, 2025 (11:59 p.m. ET).
Bottom Line
“The grant intake closed, but the interest-free loan remains available as of today, and has been extended with additional funding.”
What the Canada Greener Homes Loan is (and why it’s great for window projects)
The Canada Greener Homes Loan is a government, interest-free financing program that helps homeowners pay for major, audit-recommended energy retrofits. It provides $5,000 to $40,000, repayable over 10 years at 0% interest. The loan exists to help you implement measures that measurably improve home performance—new high-efficiency windows and doors are among the most popular upgrades.
A few key points straight from the program framework:
The loan is for eligible retrofits that have not yet been started—you can’t use it for work already completed or underway.
Eligible measures must be recommended by a licensed energy advisor following a pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation.
Repayment is 10 years, interest-free, making bigger, whole-home projects (like full-frame window replacement) easier to budget.
Windows and Doors: What’s Eligible under the Loan?
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) treats windows and doors as part of the “building envelope”. For the Greener Homes Initiative (which includes both the grant and the loan), the retrofit lists and performance criteria align: ENERGY STAR® certification and listing in the eligible product database are essential.
What that means for your window project:
ENERGY STAR® matters. NRCan’s guidance is that windows and doors must be ENERGY STAR® certified and appear on the program’s eligible lists. This ensures verified performance for thermal efficiency and comfort.
Full replacement vs. partial swaps. For the grant, “glass-only” or “sash-only” replacements, and door slab/insert-only swaps are not eligible; the intent is to upgrade the whole unit for real performance gains. The loan follows the program’s eligible retrofit lists. If your window scope is a full unit replacement with a certified product, you’re on the right track.
Choose from verified products. Canada maintains searchable lists (including windows and doors) that manufacturers register against. It’s a straightforward way to confirm that your selection qualifies. ( spl-lpi.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca )
Tip: At Nordik Windows & Doors, our window and door systems are engineered to meet stringent efficiency criteria. We can help you match your selections to the qualifying lists and prepare the paperwork that your energy advisor and loan application will require.
Who Qualifies for the Loan?
NRCan’s eligibility is built around homeowners of primary residences in Canada. At a high level:
You must be a Canadian homeowner, applying for a home you own and live in (your principal residence).
You must complete a pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation with a registered energy advisor, and your application measures (for example, full-frame ENERGY STAR® window replacements) must be recommended in the advisor’s report.
You cannot include work that has already started; your window project must still be pending when you apply.
Because it’s a loan, credit approval applies and CMHC administers the financing. The federal page emphasizes that the loan is interest-free and targeted at completing major retrofits, including windows, that improve energy performance.
Step-by-step: How to use the Loan for a Window Project
1) Request a quote from a window company who will assist you in booking your pre-retrofit audit.
Our windows are ENERGY STAR® Most Efficient 2025 which means they're easily eligible for the loan. Your Nordik consultant can help pair the right window types and glazing packages with the orientation of each wall to balance heat loss, solar gain, and comfort, and ensure they align with the program database.
Then, we'll help you coordinate a licensed energy advisor to examine your home and issue a report with recommended upgrades and modeled energy savings. Ask your advisor about full-frame replacement and target performance metrics. Your loan application must reflect measures they recommend.
2) Apply for the Canada Greener Homes Loan.
The federal portal is linked by NRCan and administered by CMHC. You’ll submit your energy advisor’s recommendations, your window/door quotes, and homeowner documents. The loan amounts typically range from $5,000–$40,000 over 10 years at 0%.
3) Wait for approval & follow the instructions in your loan agreement.
CMHC will review your application and, if approved, provide the terms. Read them carefully; the loan is tied to the exact retrofits in your application (e.g., replace X windows with specified certified models). Changes later may require re-approval or may not be allowed.
4) Complete your installation with a qualified contractor.
Once you have authorization to proceed, schedule your installation. Keep all labels and invoices until your post-retrofit evaluation is complete; your energy advisor will need to verify products and installations.
5) We'll help you coordinate your post-retrofit evaluation & finalize your file.
Your advisor revisits, measures the upgrades, and submits the post-retrofit file. Follow the CMHC/NRCan instructions for any final documentation or confirmations to keep your loan in good standing.
How Much can you Borrow for Windows?
The program’s design is needs-based and quote-based: the maximum eligible loan is calculated from the retrofits you select (e.g., full-frame window replacements) and the quotes you provide, subject to program caps and norms. Overall, you can apply for $5,000–$40,000 with a 10-year, interest-free repayment term.
Example planning scenarios (purely illustrative, not guarantees):
Small project: Replace 4–6 key windows on the draftiest side of the house; typical budget might be well within the $5,000–$12,000 borrowing range.
Medium project: Whole-house main floor (10–12 openings); many projects sit in a $15,000–$25,000 band depending on sizes, styles, and trim.
Full-home upgrade: Two storeys or 20+ openings, specialty shapes, and patio doors may call for $25,000–$40,000 (sometimes more), which is where the 0% financing is especially helpful.
Your actual approval will depend on your chosen measures, quotes, and the program’s eligibility calculations.
Why Windows are a Major Use of the Loan
Energy and comfort: Windows are a major factor in heat loss and drafts. New, properly installed ENERGY STAR® units can dramatically reduce air leakage, radiant heat loss, and cold-surface discomfort, especially on windy winter nights. NRCan’s product database and guidance ensure you’re selecting units built and tested to recognized standards.
Summer comfort & solar control: For south- and west-facing exposures, modern glazing can cut overheating while still admitting pleasant daylight. (NRCan even cautions about very high solar heat-gain glass facing south or west in certain contexts—your advisor will tailor recommendations to your home’s design.)
Airtight installation: Full-frame replacement allows proper integration with your wall assembly (insulation, air and vapour control layers), giving you a bigger jump in real-world performance than glass-only swaps ever could—one reason partial replacements don’t qualify under the grant criteria, and why the loan follows eligible retrofit standards.
Frequently Asked Questions (expanded)
Is the Canada Greener Homes Loan ending?
Not at this time. There is no official end date posted by NRCan, and CMHC has announced an extension with an additional $600 million to keep meeting demand. Like all programs, it remains subject to available funding, so applying sooner is prudent.
When is the Canada Greener Homes Loan ending?
No date has been announced by the federal program owner (NRCan). We recommend checking the NRCan loan page and CMHC’s loan page immediately before you apply; both are kept current with status updates.
Did the Canada Greener Homes Grant end?
Yes for new applicants. The grant stream’s intake closed in 2024. If you were accepted earlier, your hard deadline to finish work and request your grant is December 31, 2025 (11:59 p.m. ET). After that, the grant program winds down.
Can I still get help if the grant is closed?
Yes. The Loan remains available (subject to funding) and is interest-free over 10 years—a powerful tool for window projects even without grant dollars.
Do my windows have to be ENERGY STAR®?
Yes. The program references ENERGY STAR® certification and eligible product lists. Your Nordik consultant will gladly show you our RevoCell® windows on the approved lists , and your energy advisor will verify them.
Can I start work before I apply?
No. The loan is for retrofits that have not yet been started, and that are recommended by your energy advisor following the pre-retrofit evaluation.
How much can I borrow?
Between $5,000 and $40,000 interest-free, repayable over 10 years at 0%. The exact loan amount depends on your selected, eligible measures and quotes.
How Nordik Windows & Doors Helps you Succeed
We design for Canadian winters. Our systems are engineered for low air leakage, robust frames, and high-performance glazing options. They’re designed to meet or exceed the ENERGY STAR® performance benchmarks referenced by NRCan.
We speak “program” fluently. We’ll help you choose eligible models, assemble clean quotes that align with the energy advisor’s report, and keep all the documentation in order so your loan application reflects exactly what’s being installed.
We coordinate with energy advisors. We can help you book the pre-retrofit evaluation promptly and make sure the window plan aligns with the advisor’s recommendations—no surprises when it’s time for the post-retrofit visit.
Strategy Tips for Getting the Most from the Loan on a Window Project
Prioritize biggest wins first. If your budget won’t cover whole-home replacement, target the coldest rooms or windiest exposures first (often north- and west-facing walls). You’ll feel an immediate comfort boost in winter and shoulder seasons.
Think “whole opening.” Full-frame replacement allows continuous insulation and air-seal integration around the perimeter. That’s the real-world performance jump NRCan is encouraging.
Match glazing to orientation. High-gain glazing can be great for south winter sun, but can cause summer overheating on big west-facing windows. A balanced approach—sometimes mixing glazing types by elevation—delivers year-round comfort. ( NRCan’s database cautions about high SHGC on some orientations .)
Don’t forget installation details. Performance depends on the window and the install. Proper flashing, air/vapour control connections, and foam/insulation details are essential. Nordik’s trained crews follow best practices designed for Canadian conditions.
The Evolving Program Landscape in 2025: What You Need to Know
Policies evolve, but here are the federally posted facts that matter today (August 22, 2025):
The Greener Homes Grant stopped taking new applicants in 2024; existing participants have until December 31, 2025 to finish and request their grant.
The Greener Homes Loan remains available with no posted end date and has been extended with $600 million in additional funding to meet demand.
The Loan continues to offer $5,000–$40,000, 0% interest, 10-year repayment, for eligible retrofits recommended by an energy advisor—including ENERGY STAR® windows and doors.
What could change? Government programs are budget-limited and can be updated. If you’re planning a 2025–2026 window project, acting now helps ensure you can access current program terms. Always check the official NRCan and CMHC pages at the moment you apply.
A Simple Checklist for your Window-loan Journey
Contact Nordik for a qualifying-product consultation and a free quote.
We'll help coordinate your pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation with a registered energy advisor.
Apply for the Canada Greener Homes Loan via the federal portal.
Upon approval, we'll get your products in production and then schedule an installation according to your loan agreement instructions.
Keep labels and invoices intact for the post-retrofit verification.
We'll help coordinate your post-retrofit evaluation; confirm any final steps with CMHC/NRCan.
Why Act Now (even without the Grant)?
With the grant now closed to new applicants, many homeowners are reconsidering timelines. We constantly hear: “Is it still worth it?” In our experience: yes. Here’s why:
0% financing over 10 years cushions the cash-flow impact of a high-impact upgrade that you might otherwise delay.
Energy savings and comfort start immediately after installation—drafts drop, rooms equalize, and condensation issues are reduced.
Program stability as of today: the loan remains open and has been extended with additional funding; aligning your project now reduces your risk of missing a program window if policies shift later.
How Nordik can Help—Start to Finish
Qualifying product selection: We’ll help you pick ENERGY STAR® our RevoCell® windows and doors that appear on the eligible lists and deliver real comfort improvements.
Advisor-friendly quotes: We prepare your quote package so it mirrors the energy advisor’s recommendations, streamlining your loan review.
Installation excellence: Full-frame replacement done right—thermal breaks, air sealing, flashing—so your new windows perform as modeled.
Post-retrofit support: We’ll make sure labels and documentation are ready for verification and help you wrap up your file cleanly.
Final Word
The Canada Greener Homes Loan remains one of the most homeowner-friendly tools in Canada for tackling window and door upgrades that genuinely move the needle on energy, comfort, and value. Even with the grant closed to new applicants, the loan provides exactly what most households need to act: affordable, interest-free financing tied to high-quality, certified products and verified performance.
If you’re ready to explore your options, Nordik Windows & Doors can map your upgrade, coordinate with your energy advisor, and install a system engineered for Canadian winters—all in a way that fits the program rules and your family’s budget.
Sources and Official References
NRCan: Canada Greener Homes Initiative (loan details & overview). ( Natural Resources Canada , Natural Resources Canada )
NRCan: Eligible retrofits and product lists for windows/doors (ENERGY STAR®). ( Natural Resources Canada , Natural Resources Canada )
NRCan: Grant wind-down and final deadline (Dec 31, 2025). ( Natural Resources Canada , Natural Resources Canada )
CMHC: Canada Greener Homes Loan page & funding extension notice. ( Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation )
This article reflects the program status on August 22, 2025. Always confirm current terms on the official NRCan and CMHC pages before applying.