What Is the Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+)?
The Home Efficiency Rebate Plus — commonly called HER+ — is a rebate program offered by Enbridge Gas to its residential customers in Ontario. It provides cash rebates for completing eligible home energy upgrades, with the goal of reducing natural gas consumption and improving overall home comfort.
Unlike the federal Canada Greener Homes Loan, which is a financing program, HER+ offers direct rebates — money paid back to you after eligible work is completed and verified. The program is funded through Enbridge Gas's Ontario Energy Board-approved conservation programs.
For Renfrew County homeowners who heat with natural gas, HER+ represents one of the most accessible rebate pathways currently available in Ontario. However, this distinction is critical: you must be an Enbridge Gas customer to participate. Homes heated with propane, oil, or electric baseboard heat do not qualify for HER+.
Who Is Eligible?
To participate in HER+, you must meet all of the following conditions:
- Enbridge Gas customer: Your home must be connected to and billed by Enbridge Gas for natural gas service
- Ontario residential property: Detached, semi-detached, row houses, and some multi-unit residential buildings may qualify depending on the measure
- Pre-retrofit EnerGuide assessment: A registered energy advisor must complete a home energy audit before any retrofit work begins — this is a mandatory requirement for most measures
- Post-retrofit EnerGuide assessment: A follow-up audit after work is completed verifies the improvements and triggers rebate eligibility
For homeowners in parts of Renfrew County where Enbridge Gas distribution extends — including portions of Pembroke, Renfrew town, Arnprior, and some rural service areas — this program is worth investigating before starting any major home improvement project.
What Upgrades Are Covered and What Are the Rebate Amounts?
HER+ covers a range of home energy measures. Rebate amounts vary by measure and are periodically updated by Enbridge Gas — always confirm current figures on the official program page before planning work. As of June 2026, eligible measures include:
- Attic insulation — Rebates based on R-value improvement achieved; higher upgrades yield larger rebates
- Wall insulation — Exterior or interior wall insulation upgrades
- Air sealing — Professional blower door-guided air sealing to reduce infiltration throughout the building envelope
- Windows and doors — Replacement with ENERGY STAR-certified units; rebates typically in the range of $200–$500+ per opening depending on type
- Smart thermostats — ENERGY STAR-certified Wi-Fi programmable thermostats; rebates often in the $100–$150 range
- Heat pumps — Air-source heat pumps that reduce reliance on natural gas for heating; rebates can reach $4,800 or more depending on the equipment and upgrade scenario
Note that exact rebate amounts shift over program years. The figures above reflect approximate ranges reported as of mid-2026 — the Enbridge Gas rebate page provides current figures and any program caps or tier adjustments.
How to Apply
The application process for HER+ flows through Enbridge Gas directly:
- Confirm your eligibility — Verify you are an active Enbridge Gas customer with a residential account in Ontario
- Book a pre-retrofit EnerGuide assessment — Find a registered energy advisor through the NRCan directory or through the Enbridge program portal. The assessment evaluates your home's current energy performance and identifies eligible upgrades
- Review your audit report — The energy advisor produces a report showing your home's current EnerGuide rating and recommended improvements with projected outcomes
- Complete the eligible upgrades — Have the work done by qualified contractors. Keep all invoices and product specifications — these are required for the rebate application
- Book the post-retrofit assessment — After upgrades are complete, a second energy advisor visit confirms the improvements and updates your EnerGuide rating
- Submit your rebate claim — File the claim through the Enbridge Gas HER+ portal with supporting documentation. Rebates are typically paid out within several weeks of a complete submission
Full details and the current application portal: Enbridge Gas — Home Efficiency Rebate Plus
Important Limitations for Renfrew County Homeowners
A significant portion of rural Renfrew County is not served by Enbridge Gas distribution infrastructure. Many properties in the county's townships and smaller communities rely on:
- Propane (delivered by truck — not connected to natural gas distribution)
- Heating oil
- Electric baseboard heat
- Wood or pellet stoves
None of these fuel types qualify for HER+. If your home uses propane or oil for heat, the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program (OHPA) and the Canada Greener Homes Loan are more relevant options. The Canada Greener Homes Loan in particular has no fuel-type restriction and covers a wide range of retrofit measures regardless of your current heating system.
Combining HER+ With Other Programs
HER+ can sometimes be combined with the federal Canada Greener Homes Loan — allowing you to receive a rebate from Enbridge on the same measures for which you are also drawing on interest-free federal financing. This stacking can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Check with Enbridge Gas and NRCan before committing to a project plan to confirm current stacking rules, as these can change between program years.
Relevant Services
- Insulation contractors in Renfrew County — attic, wall, and basement insulation are top rebate categories