It's only fair to share...

So, you’re a home owner rolling in dough and aren’t interested in saving money? We didn’t think so. Come to think of it, we’ve never heard a home owner say that, no matter what their bank statement said. That’s because, as you know all too well, expenses related to your home don’t stop at the mortgage. Property taxes, utility bills and renovation or maintenance expenses are continuous (and can sometimes prove to be painful)! That’s why we want to put a little bit of coin back in your pocket.

We think every home owner should know about incentives and rebates that exist, whether they plan on living in their home or are looking at options to increase value for a sale.

Save energy, save money

Carried out through local electric utilities, the Save On Energy program is a government rebate incentive providing discounts to reduce home energy costs. With the heating and cooling incentive, home owners can receive up to $850 for installing an energy efficient furnace or air conditioning system or, for electric heating, $4,000 in heat pump rebates. Coupons for energy savings products such as light bulbs, thermostats, power bars and more provide an instant in-store discount on items that will assist in reducing electricity use. Qualified home owners may also be eligible for a new energy-star refrigerator or air conditioning unit, weather stripping, programmable thermostat, additional insulation and more.
https://saveonenergy.ca

Enbridge Gas rebates provide multiple incentives for upgrades to home equipment that help reduce utility costs. In partnership with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), the Home Energy Conservation Program provides eligible home owners up to $1,600 for qualifying retrofits. Homes where a qualifying programmable thermostat has been installed are eligible to receive $100. If your home was built before 1980, keep the Home Winterproof Program in mind. This incentive offers free winterproofing by a certified contractor to keep your home in tip-top shape.
https://www.enbridgegas.com/homes/manage-energy/rebates-incentive-programs

Grants for people with mobility issues

Finding homes that accommodate a disability or mobility issue are hard to find, so often a home will need to be modified to meet those needs. These types of modifications are especially favourable in a community primarily geared towards senior housing. Offered through March of Dimes Canada, the Home and Vehicle Modification incentive provides a rebate of up to $15,000 for modifications made to a home or vehicle to accommodate a disability.
http://www.marchofdimes.ca/EN/programs/hvmp/Pages/HowtoApply.aspx

Similarly, the Easter Seals Grant offers an incentive of up to $3,000 to aid with home renovations or non-coverable equipment for children up to 19 years of age with a mobility disability.
http://www.easterseals.org/services/parent-resources/easter-seals-financial-assistance

There’s help for your in-law suite 

Does your home have a full-functioning secondary suite? Are you considering renovating your home to create one? Homes with this feature are becoming more popular in today’s market and could be eligible for a grant of up to $25,000 through the Simcoe Secondary Suites Grant. Eligible applicants are limited to the amount of income they are able to collect for rental, but this grant aims at providing assistance with home improvement expenses in the renovation or creation of a secondary suite.
http://www.simcoe.ca/SocialHousing/Documents/2017_Secondary%20Suites%20Application%20Package_Rev.2.pdf

Relief for lower-income home owners

The Land Tax Deferral program offers low-income seniors and people with disabilities an option to have a portion of their provincial land tax deferred. To qualify, the property must be used as a principle residence for a minimum period of one year. The incentive applies to the portion of increase for the current tax year.
http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/refund/plt/seniors.html

A rebate of up to $500 is available to seniors and those with a disability qualifying for the Property Tax Grant. This program aims at assisting in the payment of property taxes for those with an income of less than $50,000 annually.
http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/credit/shptg/index.html

As part of the Ontario Trillium Benefit, the Energy and Property Tax Credit provides a rebate for low to moderate income home owners to aid with property tax and home energy sales tax costs. Eligible applicants can receive up to $1,023 depending on property tax values. Seniors can receive up to $1,165. Up to $227 is offered if living on a reserve or in a long-term care home. And students can receive a credit of $25 if any of their housing expenses are associated to energy costs.
http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/credit/oeptc/index.html

No one likes receiving their monthly electricity and utility bills. The Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) provides eligible applicants with a reduction on their energy bill by way of a credit applied directly to the bill. Applicants are assessed based upon household income and rebates are applied on an ongoing monthly basis, as long as the recipient continues to meet qualification standards.
https://ontarioelectricitysupport.ca

For one-time assistance in payment towards an electricity bill, home owners could apply for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). Eligible applicants could receive a one-time payment of up to $500 towards their account, could have a security deposit waived or receive a grace period on disconnection of services until payment is made.
https://www.oeb.ca/rates-and-your-bill/help-low-income-consumers

It's only fair to share...