How One Homeowner Replaced Every Window in Her House

Ontario homeowners can get $100 back per window or door opening through the provincial Home Renovation Savings Program when they install ENERGY STAR™ certified products. But knowing the rebate exists is only half the story. Getting it requires someone in your corner who understands the paperwork, the timing, and the bigger picture of what your home actually needs.

Key Takeaways

• Ontario’s Home Renovation Savings Program pays $100 per rough opening for ENERGY STAR™ certified windows and doors, with applications open until 30 November 2026.
• A good estimate visit does more than produce a quote; it uncovers the full scope of what your home needs and what you can get funded.
• The Toronto Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) lets city homeowners borrow up to $125,000 at a fixed low rate, repaid through property taxes over up to 20 years.
• Windows and doors account for up to 35% of a home’s total heat loss, according to Natural Resources Canada.
• Total Home Windows and Doors holds a 4.9/5 Google rating and its project managers walk every homeowner through the rebate process during the estimate visit, at no extra cost.

A Two-Window Quote That Became a Whole-House Project

Eugene Siukayev had a straightforward job on the schedule: drive out to quote two basement windows. Simple enough. Then the homeowner called to say she was running late, stuck at a McDonald’s about 40 minutes away.

Eugene was already nearby. So he offered to pick her up.

She accepted, and on the drive back they talked. Not about windows specifically, just about the house, how long she’d owned it, what she liked about it, what had been bothering her. By the time they pulled into the driveway, he already had a sense that two basement windows were probably not the end of the conversation.

He was right. Walking through the house, the picture became clear quickly. The frames throughout were tired, seals were failing, and in a few spots you could feel the cold air just standing nearby. The kind of thing you stop noticing when you live with it every day, but that a fresh set of eyes spots immediately.

“When I walked through the house with her, it was obvious the whole envelope needed attention. The two basement windows were the reason she called us, but they weren’t the real problem. Once she understood what was actually happening with the heat loss and what options she had, the decision made itself.”

Eugene Siukayev, Project Manager

Eugene didn’t push for a bigger project. He explained what he was seeing, section by section, and let her ask questions. Then he brought up something she hadn’t known about: the Ontario Home Renovation Savings Program, which at the time offered a rebate per window and door opening for ENERGY STAR™ certified replacements. He walked her through how the bridge financing worked, so she could start the project before the rebate arrived rather than waiting to save up the full amount first.

The numbers made sense. A full-house replacement, funded through a government loan, with a rebate coming back on every opening. The monthly cost was manageable. The long-term saving on heating bills was real.

A few days later, Eugene came back to pick her up again so they could sit down and sign the agreement together. Not a detail he had to offer, but the kind of thing that makes a process feel human rather than transactional.

The project went ahead. Every vinyl window and exterior door in the house was replaced with ENERGY STAR™ certified units. The government rebate was applied. The homeowner left a five-star review. And she stayed warm that winter for the first time in years.

What Ontario Homeowners Can Claim Right Now

The programme Eugene used with that homeowner is still active. Ontario’s Home Renovation Savings Program pays $100 per eligible rough opening when you install ENERGY STAR™ certified windows or doors. Applications are open until 30 November 2026, and most complete submissions are processed within four to eight weeks.

To qualify, you need to own a residential property in Ontario, heat it with natural gas, electricity, oil, propane, or wood, and replace at least three openings. No pre-retrofit energy audit is required for the windows-only stream.

Toronto homeowners can also access the Home Energy Loan Program, which offers up to $125,000 at a fixed low interest rate, repaid through property taxes over up to 20 years. Stacking the loan and the rebate together is exactly the kind of bridge financing approach that made the whole-house project in Eugene’s story possible.

“Most homeowners don’t know what’s available to them until someone takes the time to explain it. The rebate and loan programmes change, and navigating them on your own is confusing. We walk through all of it during the estimate visit so there are no surprises later.”

Vitaly Shapiro, Vice President of Sales

The federal Canada Greener Homes Grant and Loan both closed to new applicants in late 2025. The HRSP is the primary active programme for Ontario homeowners in 2026. Check the current terms at saveonenergy.ca before applying, as eligibility details can change.

What to Look For in a Window Estimate Visit

Eugene’s story is not unusual at Total Home; it is the standard. Our project managers are trained to walk the whole house, not just the rooms you mention on the phone. That means looking at frame condition, seal integrity, installation quality, and the overall performance of the building envelope. They explain what they find in plain language, outline what qualifies for rebates, and give you a complete picture before you commit to anything.

A full window replacement cost depends on the number of openings, the window style, and the glass package. Total Home manufactures its own triple-pane and double-pane ENERGY STAR™ certified units at its GTA facility, which means shorter lead times and direct accountability for quality. Standard lead time from consultation to installation is four to six weeks.

If you are thinking about replacing windows before the November rebate deadline, the time to book is now. Get a Free Quote and we will send a project manager to walk through your home, identify what qualifies, and show you exactly what the project costs after your rebate.

Frequently Asked Questions