Energy-Efficient Home Rebates in Alberta: How to Get Up to 25% Back on Your Mortgage Insurance
Renee Huse, founder of Spire Mortgage Team in Alberta, is on a mission to help homeowners make smarter, more financially strategic choices — and that includes knowing how to get paid for going green. If you’re buying a home in Alberta, there’s a lesser-known way to save thousands right off the top of your mortgage: energy-efficient home rebates through your mortgage insurer.
If you’re considering a new build or major renovation, this is a move you don’t want to miss.
What's Inside:
- What Is an Energy-Efficient Mortgage Rebate?
- Who Offers These Rebates in Canada?
- How to Qualify for a Rebate in Alberta
- Alberta Case Study: Calgary Couple Saves Over $3,000
- List of Eligible Energy Certifications
- Glossary of Key Terms
- FAQs About Mortgage Rebates for Green Homes
What Is an Energy-Efficient Mortgage Rebate?
Let’s break this down from the start — because most Albertans have never heard of this.
When you buy a home in Alberta with less than 20% down, you’re required to get default mortgage insurance through one of three providers: CMHC, Sagen, or Canada Guaranty. This premium often adds thousands of dollars to your mortgage.
But — if the home you’re buying meets specific energy efficiency standards (like certain ratings or certifications), these insurers will give you a partial refund — up to 25% of that premium. That’s real cash back in your pocket.
Here’s the kicker: this is not automatic. You won’t be told about it unless your mortgage broker knows to bring it up (we do). And unless your home has the right documentation from the builder or renovation team, you won’t qualify — even if the house is super energy efficient.
Who Offers These Rebates in Canada?
Here’s what each insurer offers, and where they’re most applicable:
| Insurer | Program Name | Rebate Amount | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMHC | Eco Plus | Up to 25% | New builds or major retrofits with documentation |
| Sagen | Energy-Efficient Housing | Up to 25% | Widely used in Alberta for new builds with EnerGuide ratings |
| Canada Guaranty | Energy-Efficient Advantage | Up to 25% | Includes bonus rebate for high-level R-2000 homes |
How does it work?
Once your mortgage is approved and funded, your mortgage broker applies for the rebate using energy certification documents provided by the builder or renovation team. If approved, the insurer issues the rebate — typically by cheque or mortgage credit within a few weeks.
How to Qualify for a Rebate in Alberta
Here’s what actually qualifies — and where clients get tripped up:
🔨 1. New Builds
This is where most rebates happen in Alberta. If you’re buying a newly built home, ask your builder one question:
“Will this home have an EnerGuide rating or any efficiency certification?”
If they say yes, ask for a copy of the certificate — this is your golden ticket to a rebate.
Common certifications for Alberta new builds:
- EnerGuide (must meet or exceed insurer thresholds)
- Built Green® Canada (Silver, Gold, Platinum — accepted by most insurers)
- ENERGY STAR® Qualified Homes
- R-2000 (rare but offers max rebates)
Tip: Some builders offer these as upgrades — you may have to request it as part of your home package.
🏡 2. Existing Homes with Major Renovations
Yes — you can qualify with an older home, but only if:
- The home undergoes significant energy retrofits (like new insulation, windows, HVAC systems, etc.)
- You get an EnerGuide pre- and post-renovation assessment
- The final rating meets program thresholds
This is ideal if you're refinancing and making improvements — especially with a Spire-guided refinance-plus-reno strategy.
📄 3. You Must Have Paperwork
No matter how efficient the home seems, if it doesn’t have the proper third-party rating or certification, the insurers won’t give you a rebate. It’s that simple.
Alberta Case Study: Calgary Couple Saves Over $3,000
Alex and Priya from Calgary were first-time buyers looking at new builds in the city’s southeast. They chose a home that was Built Green® Platinum certified, meaning it met the top-tier requirements for energy efficiency in Alberta.
Their purchase:
- Home price: $500,000
- Down payment: 5% ($25,000)
- Mortgage amount: $475,000
- Insurance premium: ~$19,000 (standard for insured mortgage at 3.99%)
Thanks to their home’s certification, they received a 25% rebate, or $4,750 back.
“We used the rebate to pay down our mortgage faster — basically skipped six months of payments,” says Alex. “Our advisor at Spire told us how to structure it upfront so we didn’t miss out.”
This is a perfect example of a starter-smart strategy: choosing a home that saves money today and in the long run.
List of Eligible Energy Certifications
Each insurer accepts slightly different standards, but the following are commonly accepted across Canada — and specifically recognized in Alberta:
- EnerGuide (Canada’s energy rating system for homes)
- ENERGY STAR® for New Homes
- Built Green® Canada (popular in Alberta)
- R-2000 certified homes
- Net Zero Ready (NZR) and full Net Zero Homes
Ask your builder or energy advisor which certification applies to your property — and request documentation.
Glossary of Key Terms
- Default Insurance: Mandatory insurance for buyers with less than 20% down.
- Energy-Efficient Home: A property designed to use less energy, often built to third-party standards.
- EnerGuide Rating: A numeric score showing a home’s energy efficiency.
- R-2000: A Natural Resources Canada-backed program for high-efficiency new homes.
- Built Green®: A Canadian certification program focused on energy and environmental performance.
- Rebate: A refund or partial return of money already paid.
- Amortization: The length of time you take to pay off your mortgage.
- Mortgage Premium: The fee paid for default insurance, added to your mortgage balance.
FAQs About Mortgage Rebates for Green Homes
This section will include FAQ schema on final export.
How much money can I get back for buying an energy-efficient home in Alberta?
Up to 25% of your mortgage insurance premium — which could mean thousands.
Can I get a rebate if I renovate my home to make it more efficient?
Yes, if the retrofit brings the home up to eligible standards and is properly certified.
Does this rebate reduce my monthly mortgage payment?
Not directly — it’s a refund, but you can use it to pay down your balance or apply to lump-sum payments.
Do all builders in Alberta offer energy-efficient homes?
Not all — but many do. Ask your builder if the home meets Built Green®, ENERGY STAR®, or similar standards.
How do I prove my home qualifies for a rebate?
You’ll need to submit a copy of your energy certification to your mortgage broker or insurer when applying.
Give us a call or fill out an application at this link and our team will get in touch with you to start building a plan that suits you.
Written by Renee Huse, licensed mortgage broker and founder of Spire Mortgage. Renee helps Albertans make confident real estate decisions with smart financing strategies tailored to their goals. Learn more about Renee here.
