RénoClimat: understanding the 4 categories of eligible work

Unlike LogisVert, RénoClimat isn't a direct invoice reimbursement: the program is based on comparing two EnerGuide energy evaluations, done by an accredited advisor, before and after the work. That's why the file's mechanics — and the documents required — differ quite a bit from what contractors used to LogisVert might expect.

The most critical rule, and the one that costs poorly-informed clients the most: no work may start before the first energy evaluation. The official guide is explicit about this — work started before the initial evaluation simply isn't eligible. If a client calls you after already starting renovations, it's unfortunately too late for RénoClimat.

The program covers four categories of work: insulation (roof, exterior walls, foundations, exposed floor), air tightness, door and window replacement, and mechanical systems (heat or energy recovery ventilator, greywater heat recovery). Note that heat pump and geothermal system replacement has been excluded from the program since May 2024 — that work now falls under the Chauffez vert program, a separate application.

The documents required vary a lot by measure. For air tightness, there's literally nothing to upload: the advisor redoes the blower door test themselves during the visit. For doors and windows, on the other hand, the ENERGY STAR label must be visible on every installed product, and the invoice must detail the name, address, installation date, brand, model, and NRCan reference number for each unit — a detail that's easy to miss if the supplier doesn't include it on the invoice by default.

An important security point to know: the owner's social insurance number or business number, required to issue the payment, must never be sent by regular email or uploaded into a tool like DossierVert. Rénoclimat provides a dedicated secure channel after the post-retrofit evaluation — that's the only path to use, and it's worth repeating clearly to your clients to avoid confusion.

On timing: expect 8 to 10 weeks of processing after the post-retrofit evaluation, plus about two weeks of mail delay for the cheque. The pre-retrofit evaluation costs about $150 plus tax (refundable if assistance is granted), and the post-retrofit evaluation is free. Maximum assistance is $20,000 per unit for an owner-occupant, and up to $40,000 for a duplex, triplex, or multi-unit building.