Energy-Efficient Advantage

Energy-Efficient Program

Energy-Efficient Advantage Program

To support initiatives that promote environmental consciousness and its ongoing protection, we are pleased to offer a 25% premium refund on the Canada Guaranty mortgage insurance premium paid for qualified borrowers purchasing a newly constructed, energy-efficient home.

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Program Overview

Qualified borrowers who purchase a newly constructed energy-efficient home may be eligible to receive a 25% premium refund.

Transaction Types

  • Purchase: New Construction.

Borrower Qualifications

  • Mortgage financing must be insured through Canada Guaranty.
  • Canada Guaranty must receive all original mortgage insurance premiums and applicable fees prior to issuing the partial premium refund.
  • Partial premium refund applications must be submitted within 24 months of the mortgage closing date.

Premium Refund Process

  • Once all required criteria are met, Canada Guaranty will refund the borrower the approved percentage of the standard mortgage insurance premium (including applicable provincial sales tax).
  • Refunds are processed and issued directly to the homeowner within 8-12 weeks after receiving the partial premium refund application.

Mortgage Insurance Premium Refund Example (25%)

$475,000 Mortgage at 95% LTV Premium Payable*
Standard Premium Amount (95% LTV = Premium rate of 4.00%)
Energy-Efficient Premium Refund (25% of premium amount)
Total New Premium (minus refunded amount)
$19,000.00
($4,750.00)
$14,250.00
*For the purpose of this example, the mortgage insurance premium does not include any applicable provincial sales tax.

 

PREMIUM REFUND ELIGIBILITY 


All applicable and required documentation must be submitted together with the completed premium refund application form. In addition to satisfying all borrower qualifications, to qualify for the 25% premium refund, the insured property must be a newly constructed home and meet one of the following criteria:

  1. Property meets eligible certification criteria: Please see the “Eligible Certifications” listed below.
  2. Energy Consumption: Properties with at least 20% lower energy consumption (gigajoules/year) than “A Typical New House”.

Note: Eligibility for the Energy Consumption requirement will need to be assessed using the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) EnerGuide Rating System.

 

(1) Eligible Certifications:

A new construction property that has received a certification from one of the following programs is eligible for the 25% premium refund.

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
CGBC v.4 Gold
Platinum
LEED Building Design and Construction: Homes and Multi-Family Low-Rise
CGBC v.4.1 Gold
Platinum
LEED Building Design and Construction: Residential Single Family
CGBC v1 Design N/A Zero Carbon Building Standard
CGBC v2 Design Flexible
Passive
Renewable
Zero Carbon Building Standard
Canadian Home Builders Association (CHBA) N/A Certified Qualified CHBA Net Zero Energy
CHBA N/A Certified Qualified CHBA Net Zero Energy Ready
Efficiency Manitoba N/A 20% to 90% + improvement New Homes Standard
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) 2012 N/A R-2000
NRCan New Homes Standard version 12.6 N/A ENERGY STAR
NRCan Pilot Certified ENERGY STAR Multi-Family High-Rise (New Construction)
Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs N/A Certified Novoclimat for Homes
Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs N/A Certified Novoclimat for Small Multiple Unit Buildings
Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs N/A Certified 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

 

(2) Energy Consumption:

A new construction property with an NRCan EnerGuide gigajoules/year rating that is at least 20% lower than “A Typical New House” is eligible for the 25% premium refund.

 

DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS


Purchasing a new home

  • Documentation confirming your home was built under a certified program.
    OR
  • A copy of your EnerGuide Label confirming the energy consumption rating meets the Energy Efficient Housing Program requirements.

 

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE PARTIAL PREMIUM REFUND


To apply for a partial premium refund, the homeowner must download, complete, and mail, e-mail or fax the refund application form, together with all required documentation, to the appropriate address/fax number listed below:

Mailing Address Fax Number (Toll Free) E-mail Address
Canada Guaranty
1 Toronto Street, Suite 400
Toronto, ON  M5C 2V6
1.855.318.8946 energyefficient@canadaguaranty.ca

Attention / Subject Line
Finance Department – Energy-Efficient Advantage Program

Once all of the required criteria are met, Canada Guaranty will refund the homeowner the approved percentage of the standard mortgage insurance premium (including applicable provincial sales tax).

Refunds are processed and issued directly to the homeowner within 8-12 weeks after receiving the partial premium refund application.

 

Last Updated: 07/2025