Eligibility criteria for the Rénoclimat program

The Rénoclimat program is intended for owners of single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and small multi-unit residential buildings.

The Rénoclimat program is for homeowners who want to improve their home’s energy efficiency through renovations.

The homeowner may be:

• an individual;
• an estate;
• a trust;
• a company;
• a condominium syndicate;
• a non-profit organization;
• a band council.

The following types of homes are eligible for the Rénoclimat program:

• Single-family home (detached, semi-detached, or row house, mobile home, rooming house, year-round cottage, etc.);
• Duplex;
• Triplex;
• Multiple unit residential building, not more than 3 storeys above ground, and a maximum ground area of 600 m².

The home must also meet the following criteria:

• Be located in Québec;
• Be habitable year round;
• Have a building envelope that is in a suitable condition for the airtightness test;
• Have been built and inhabited for at least 12 months prior to participation in the program.

Specifics about semi-detached and row houses

Semi-detached and row houses are generally considered single-family homes. You can request an energy evaluation of your home without requiring adjacent units to participate.

However, if semi-detached or row houses are connected by a shared space that allows air circulation between units—whether in the roof, foundation, or living space—the situation is different. Under the Rénoclimat program, these houses will be assessed and treated as a multi-unit residential building. A single energy evaluation will be conducted for the entire building.

Ineligible homes

If you have doubts about your home’s eligibility, discuss them with a Rénoclimat energy efficiency advisor when scheduling your appointment.

If the blower door test cannot be performed, the home will be considered ineligible for the Rénoclimat program.

Make sure you have not started your renovations and that the building envelope remains intact before the energy evaluation.

A home that meets all program criteria may still be deemed ineligible if:

• It is not airtight enough or is too large;
• It has an unusual configuration.

A travel fee of $75 will be charged if the energy evaluation cannot be conducted.

Rénoclimat supports energy-efficient renovations by providing financial assistance for:

• Insulation work;
• Airtightness work;
• Replacement of doors and windows;
• Installation or replacement of certain mechanical systems.

The retrofits must improve the home’s energy performance to qualify for financial assistance.  

• Learn more about your home’s EnerGuide rating.
• See the Financial assistance amounts section for details on eligible retrofits and required conditions.

The following types of work are not eligible for Rénoclimat financial assistance:

• The installation of electronic thermostats;
• The installation, replacement, or repairing an air conditioner, air heat pump, or geothermal system;
• Home extensions;
• The renovation or insulation of an area adjacent to the dwelling, but not heated, such as a garage, cold room, or porch;
• The replacement of garage doors or windows, whether it’s heated or not;
• The replacement of roofing or exterior wall cladding;
• Any other measure that does not improve a home’s energy efficiency.

Some of these renovations can improve energy efficiency, but Rénoclimat does not provide financial assistance for them.

These retrofits may qualify for other financial assistance programs from the government, municipalities, or energy distributors.

Home extensions

If you improve your home’s energy efficiency while also expanding the home, the expanded portion will be excluded from Rénoclimat financial assistance calculations.

Examples of home extensions:

• Adding a room;
• Adding an additional storey;
• Building a new foundation;
• Any work that modifies the building envelope.

Rénoclimat financial assistance is based on comparing your home’s energy performance before and after renovations. Any home additions made between the two evaluations will not be included in the financial assistance calculations.