If You're Thinking of Buying or Building a Home
Step 1: Find out how energy-efficient it is
If the house you're considering buying is:
- an energy-efficient R-2000 model;
- has an energy efficiency rating of 77 (on or after July 27th, 20051) or above;
- was or will be built under a CMHC-eligible energy-efficient building program; or
- the building in which the condominium unit you're buying (on or after July 27th, 20051) is 25% more energy efficient, than if constructed to meet the requirements of the Model National Energy Code for Buildings (MNECB), you could be eligible for a 10% mortgage loan insurance premium refund and extended amortization when you use CMHC insured financing to purchase that home or condominium unit.
The house's energy efficiency rating can be obtained by:
- having an energy assessment completed by an NRCan qualified energy advisor;
- obtaining an R-2000 certificate or CMHC declaration from your R-2000 certified builder;
- obtaining a CMHC declaration from your builder that is a member of a CMHC-eligible energy-efficient building program;
- or for condominium units, a letter from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) or the project engineer for condominium units must be obtained.
If you are planning on building a new home and your builder is not R-2000 certified or a member of a CMHC eligible energy-efficient building program, you should have an energy advisor evaluate the building plans before the house is built. This can help you ensure that you will meet CMHC's requirements once the construction of the home is complete and it is evaluated.
1 An energy rating of 80 is required for purchases occurring on or after November 18th 2004 and until July 26th 2005.
Step 2: Boost your energy efficiency
If the house you plan to buy has an energy rating below 77 (effective July 27th, 2005. A rating of 80 is required for purchases and renovations occurring on or after November 18th, 2004 and until July 26th, 2005), to be eligible for a 10% premium refund, you will need to obtain an energy assessment through a NRCan qualified energy advisor and renovate using part of the CMHC insured funds based on your energy advisor's list of recommendations in order to increase your score by at least 5 points and to at least 40 overall.
Step 3: Discuss and arrange a CMHC-insured mortgage
Talk to your lender and ask for a CMHC insured mortgage.
Step 4: Confirm the improvement
After you make the renovations recommended by your energy advisor, you will need to have a second assessment done to determine the energy-saving effectiveness of the renovations. To be eligible for the 10% premium refund, the second rating must show that the house has achieved an increase of 5 points to a minimum overall rating of 40.
Step 5: CMHC 10% Premium Refund
Download and print the form:
Energy-efficient Premium Refund Form
Follow the instructions on the form to apply for your refund.