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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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.
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).
Please note that due to a high volume of applications for this product, there is currently a delay in processing time of a minimum of 24 weeks. CMHC is working on reducing the backlog as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
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.
| 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 |
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!
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:
IMPORTANT!
Your application must be submitted within 24 months (2 years) of the closing date of your mortgage.
Please note that due to a high volume of applications for this product, there is currently a delay in processing time of a minimum of 24 weeks. CMHC is working on reducing the backlog as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
1. Download and complete the application form.
2. Send us the completed application form with your home’s energy certificate or report:
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.
