IMPORTANT
To qualify, your home must meet the building standards of eligible certifications or the energy efficiency target based off the EnerGuide Rating System (ERS).
CMHC Eco Plus
Apply for a 25% partial premium refund if you’re CMHC insured and buying a newly built¹ energy efficient home. ¹Newly built means a new home that has never been occupied. For a condominium unit, newly built means that the home must never have been occupied for residential purposes other than during a period in which the borrower assumed occupancy on an interim basis before the registration of the condominium declaration or before taking possession.
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CMHC Eco Plus
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Starting July 8, 2025, CMHC Eco Plus will only be available for newly built homes with an energy efficiency certificate or rating. This change will help us better support homeowners and make the refund process simpler.
As energy efficiency standards improve, so will the criteria for the Eco Plus program. It will continue to include certifications and align with Natural Resources Canada's EnerGuide rating system.
Am I eligible?
CMHC Eco Plus eligibility criteria includes an updated and expanded list of energy efficiency certifications, and an energy efficiency target based on total Energy Consumption.
The intent of Eco Plus is to encourage consumers to purchase newly built homes with high energy efficiency standards.
Eligible Certificates | Energy Consumption* |
---|---|
Properties awarded an eligible certificate | Properties with a gigajoules/year rating of at least 20% lower than “A Typical New House” |
*Eligibility is assessed using the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) EnerGuide Rating System.
To qualify, your home must have an energy efficiency certificate or meet the energy efficiency target.
Don’t have an energy efficiency certificate? Have your home assessed by a Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) qualified energy advisor.
ELIGIBLE CERTIFICATIONS (INCLUDING INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM UNITS)
Organization | Version | Level(s) | Certification Name |
---|---|---|---|
BC Energy Step Code | N/A | Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 |
Part 3 |
BC Energy Step Code | N/A | Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 |
Part 9 – Detached Homes |
Built Green Canada | 2019-2021 | Gold Platinum |
Built Green High Density |
Built Green Canada | 2019-2021 | Gold Platinum |
Built Green Single Family |
Canada Green Building Council (CGBC) | 2009 | Gold Platinum |
LEED Canada for Homes |
Canada Green Building Council (CGBC) | v.4 | Gold Platinum |
LEED Building Design and Construction: Homes and Multi-Family Low-Rise |
Canada Green Building Council (CGBC) | v.4.1 | Gold Platinum |
LEED Building Design and Construction: Residential Single Family |
Canada Green Building Council (CGBC) | v1 Design | N/A | Zero Carbon Building Standard |
Canada Green Building Council (CGBC) | v2 Design | Flexible Passive Renewable | Zero Carbon Building Standard |
Canadian Home Builders Association (CHBA) | N/A | Certified | Qualified CHBA Net Zero Energy |
Canadian Home Builders Association (CHBA) | N/A | Certified | Qualified CHBA Net Zero Energy Ready |
Efficiency Manitoba’s New Homes Program | N/A | 25% improvement or better | Certified Energy Efficient |
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) | 2012 | N/A | R-2000 |
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) | New Homes Standard version 12.6+ | Certified |
ENERGY STAR |
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) | Pilot | Certified | ENERGY STAR Multi-Family High-Rise (New Construction) |
Ministère de l’Énergie et des Ressources naturelles du Québec | N/A | Homologué | Novoclimat for Homes |
Ministère de l’Énergie et des Ressources naturelles du Québec | N/A | Homologué | Novoclimat for Small Multiple-Unit Buildings |
Ministère de l’Énergie et des Ressources naturelles du Québec | N/A | Homologué | Novoclimat for Big Multiple Unit Buildings |
Passive House Canada | 9 | Classic Plus Premium | Certified Passive House |
Passive House Canada | 9 | Classic Plus Premium | EnerPHit Certified Retrofit |
HOW TO GET YOUR REFUND
After closing your mortgage, eligible borrowers have 2 years to submit the refund request, along with the necessary supporting documentation, directly to CMHC. It's easy, convenient and hassle-free!
How to Get Your Premium Refund
If your home meets the energy efficiency requirements and you have CMHC mortgage loan insurance, you can apply for the Eco Plus refund.
Make sure you have the following documentation:
- final certificate from the list of eligible third-party certifications and/or
- EnerGuide label or EnerGuide Renovation Upgrade Report (RUR), if available
APPLY TODAY
IMPORTANT!
Your application must be submitted within 24 months (2 years) of the closing date of your mortgage.
1. Download and complete the application form.
2. Send us the completed application form with your home’s energy certificate or report:
- Email: eemrefund@cmhc-schl.gc.ca
- Fax: 1-800-245-9274
- Mail: 700 Montreal Road (Suite 1000), Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0P7
Why You Should Apply for CMHC Eco Plus
-
Save on Your Insurance Premium
Receive a partial refund of 25% on your CMHC insurance premium when you buy a newly built energy efficient home. -
Contribute to a Sustainable Future
Take an active role in reducing housing's impact on climate change while lowering your energy costs. -
Flexibility in Financing
Finance the purchase or construction of a newly built energy-efficient home using CMHC-insured financing (purchase or build). Or apply within 2 years of your mortgage closing date. -
Straightforward Application Process
Apply for the Eco Plus premium refund by completing the application form and submitting it with the necessary supporting documentation directly to CMHC.
Grant and Rebate Options for Energy Efficiency
Federal, provincial and municipal governments and local utilities may offer grants and rebates for energy-saving renovations. For example, CMHC Eco Plus offers a premium refund of 25%. You may be eligible if you buy a newly built energy efficient home, or renovate for energy efficiency using CMHC-insured financing.