Have you been seeing ads on social media promising huge rebates? Or maybe you’re getting spam calls about government money you’re "missing out on"? You’re not alone.
HOMEOWNER ALERT: Scams, Deceptive Sales Practices, and Rebate Inaccuracies in Home Retrofits
Energy efficiency upgrades can help reduce your energy bills and carbon footprint at home, but not all offers are legitimate. Some companies are taking advantage of homeowners by advertising massive rebates and quick retrofits that are simply too good to be true. Here’s how to protect yourself from these deceptive sales practices.
Note: All images representing fraudulent business or ads in this blog post were created by Green Venture’s Energy team solely for educational purposes. They are fictional examples designed to illustrate common scam tactics and misleading sales practices and are not based on, nor intended to resemble, any actual companies or organizations. Any similarities to real businesses — past or present — are entirely coincidental and unintentional.
Have you been seeing ads on social media promising huge rebates? Or maybe you’re getting spam calls about government money you’re "missing out on"? You’re not alone.
These tactics are often used by certain companies to bypass Ontario’s restrictions on door-to-door sales for items like furnaces, AC units, water heaters, and water purifiers.
Once you invite these companies into your home — sometimes simply by agreeing to the “terms and conditions” or requesting a quote — these restrictions no longer apply. Some may use aggressive sales tactics to pressure you into purchasing overpriced equipment without research or try to lock you into costly rental agreements with hefty monthly fees. They might promote upgrades with promises of rebates and energy savings that often don't materialize.
Images (created by the Green Venture Energy team as educational examples): An Instagram ad, created by the Green Venture team as an educational example, offering a free water heater and a $5,000 rebate with a fake certification. However, when users click "learn more," they are met with terms and conditions revealing that the "energy advisor" organization is a subsidiary of a home services company, granting permission to visit the home and begin selling services and equipment.
Image (created by the Green Venture Energy team as an educational example): Checking a box on a website for more information about a "free energy assessment" from an HVAC company gives them permission to show up at your door to make a sales pitch.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
Red Flag #1: Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers
Image (created by the Green Venture Energy team as an educational example): A website misleadingly describes the Canada Greener Homes Loan as a "carbon rebate" and “free funding”. Phrases like "apply for your carbon rebate" and “lower your energy bill with our help” can lead homeowners to believe they must go through the contractor advertising to access rebates.
Be cautious of companies advertising massive rebates or savings that seem unrealistic. Some organizations promote rebates that don’t exist, have expired, or misrepresent the terms of real programs. In Hamilton, legitimate rebates and loans currently come from the Home Renovation Savings program and the Canada Greener Homes Loan — both have clear guidelines and processes. Past programs that no longer accept new applicants, which may be misrepresented by fraudulent organizations, include Enbridge’s HER+ program, the Canada Greener Homes Grant, and Better Homes Hamilton.
Images (created by the Green Venture Energy team as educational examples): A misleading Facebook ad promoting a heat pump rebate of "up to $5,000," contrasted with the official Enbridge HER rebate amounts for heat pumps. While the total HER rebate cap is $5,000, it requires multiple retrofits to achieve that amount.
Look out for those who guarantee a rebate before an energy assessment is completed. Real programs follow strict steps, and no legitimate rebate is ever guaranteed upfront.
Red Flag #2: Aggressive Sales Tactics
Be cautious of anyone who pressures you into signing a contract on the spot or creates a sense of urgency that makes you feel like you're running out of time. This tactic is often used to rush you into decisions without giving you the chance to fully evaluate your options. Legitimate programs understand the importance of informed decision-making and will provide you with the time you need to consider your choices without any pressure. And remember, it’s okay to seek a second opinion before committing to any agreement.
Image (created by the Green Venture Energy team as an educational example): An Instagram ad from a company pressuring homeowners to submit their contact information using a countdown timer, falsely claiming that potential rebates are an "exclusive offer" that expires in 10 minutes.
Red Flag #3: Poorly Built Websites and Questionable Reviews
A website that appears hastily constructed or lacks comprehensive information can be a significant warning sign. Look for elements such as broken links, vague content, or a lack of contact information, as these can indicate unprofessionalism or a lack of credibility.
Additionally, be wary of inconsistent or suspicious reviews. If most reviews are overly positive without any constructive feedback, or if they seem to be written in a similar style, they could be fake or manipulated. Always take the time to research the company's reputation across multiple platforms to ensure you’re dealing with a legitimate provider. Trustworthy businesses will have a consistent online presence and authentic customer feedback.
Image (created by the Green Venture Energy team as an educational example): A website that was hastily thrown together with fake / templated reviews using repetitive reviews and Lorem Ipsum, placeholder text commonly used in website development.
Image (created by the Green Venture Energy team as an educational example): A website displaying fake reviews from fictional customers like "John Doe," trying to establish trust with visitors with purely positive reviews, all roughly the same length and tone.
Red Flag #4: Contracts and Hidden Fees
Never agree to any work without a clear, written estimate or formal contract. If a company hesitates or refuses to provide one, or if they try to lock you into a long-term, high-cost contract, it's a red flag. You may end up paying much more than the value of the retrofit. Also, be cautious of requests for large upfront payments. It’s always best to get multiple quotes before moving forward with a retrofit.
Images (created by the Green Venture Energy team as an educational example): Screenshots of social media ads promoting "low monthly cost" home efficiency upgrades, but lacking transparency on the equipment used, repayment timeline, or interest rates.
Be cautious of contractors who refuse to put agreements in writing and insist on communicating only in person or over the phone, avoiding email or other written forms of communication. This can be a red flag, as it not only makes it harder to track agreements but also exposes you to high-pressure sales tactics that wouldn’t hold up if documented. Always ensure that important details — such as quotes, project scope, and terms — are provided in writing and thoroughly reviewed to protect yourself.
Red Flag #5: Misleading Company Names
Be cautious of vague, generic names that sound like government programs, such as “Ontario Energy Rebate Program”, especially if they are difficult to locate on Google.
Some companies may string together names with environmental buzzwords like “Ontario Green Homes” or “HVAC Energy Savings” to make themselves sound like legitimate contractors while remaining hard to research.
Reputable companies and genuine rebate programs should be easily found online. Always do your research to ensure you're dealing with trustworthy organizations.
Some scammers will impersonate legitimate organizations using similar names or stealing their logos to deceive you. Always verify these accounts through trusted channels.
Image (created by the Green Venture Energy team as an educational example): An Instagram ad from a company impersonating Enbridge Gas and the HER+ rebate. Enbridge is real, but this Instagram account is fake.
Image (created by the Green Venture Energy team as an educational example): A company misuses the logos for the Hamilton Utilities Corporation and City of Hamilton with a fake rebate program. Note that the ad claims to be exclusively for Hamilton homeowners while the account name suggests the account represents a Canada-wide rebate.
Red Flag #6: No Local Presence or Physical Address
Always verify the company’s address and check how long they’ve been in business. Many scam companies operate through temporary or shell businesses with no local presence.
You can verify existing businesses here:
Ontario Business Registry | ontario.ca
How to Protect Yourself from Rebate & Retrofit Scams
Tip #1: Verify and Do Your Research
To verify if a company is a legitimate EnerGuide service organization for energy assessments:
- Check their status using Natural Resources Canada's database of authorized service organizations.
For rebates and incentives:
- Confirm offers through official sources. NRCan provides a searchable database for regional energy rebates across Canada.
- In Hamilton, trusted rebates currently come from Enbridge, SaveOnEnergy, the IESO, and the Canada Greener Homes Initiative. Check their websites for details and application steps.
Important: Some contractors have been reported to install ineligible equipment while falsely promising rebates. Always verify eligible equipment through NRCan’s searchable product list and ensure windows and doors are Energy Star certified.
You can also check a business’s recent history on Ontario’s Consumer Beware List. Keep in mind that fraudulent businesses may change their name and contact information frequently to avoid being recognized or contacted.
Tip #2: Get a Second Opinion
Don’t be pressured into buying equipment that you’re unsure about, or make a rushed decision to sign a contract or lengthy lease agreement. Always seek a second opinion if you feel uncertain about the terms being offered.
Tip #3: Understand the Process
When planning retrofits to take advantage of incentive programs, it's essential to understand how these programs operate to ensure you receive the benefits that you're entitled to. Misleading information can lead to missed opportunities or disqualification from rebate programs. Genuine incentive programs have clear rules and processes that you can find online, but some sources may mislead you or be unaware of the guidelines themselves. Always do your own research to stay informed about the rebate process.
Image (created by the Green Venture Energy team as an educational example): An infographic misrepresenting the process of the Home Renovation Savings program, suggesting that homeowners hire contractors and complete upgrades before getting an energy assessment. NOTE: any upgrades completed before the initial energy assessment are ineligible for incentives.
You do not need an "authorized contractor" to schedule an energy audit. All audits must be booked directly with an official service organization to ensure their validity. Be cautious of contractors who claim otherwise, as private companies have a financial incentive to sell you equipment or services that you may not actually need. This creates a conflict of interest, and can lead to biased recommendations and advice.
Some companies and contractors may have partnerships with NRCan-approved service organizations that provide legitimate energy assessments. However, it’s crucial to verify that the assessment on your home is conducted by a certified energy advisor from an official NRCan service organization. For the Home Renovation Savings program, ensure the audit is carried out by one of the eight authorized service organizations delivering these audits.
For unbiased, accurate results, always go through official channels for energy assessments.
Image: All NRCan Registered Energy Advisors will provide you with an official EnerGuide rating and report after completing your energy assessment. To proceed with any retrofits eligible for rebate or grants that require an audit, you must receive this report first. / Image source: Better Homes BC
A legitimate energy assessment also must result in a detailed report, which you should receive before any retrofits are performed. If someone offers to assess your home for a rebate and install upgrades like windows or heat pumps at the same time, they are misleading you.
Registered energy advisors under Natural Resources Canada cannot perform retrofits themselves. Anyone offering both an assessment and retrofit services is violating program rules.
Registered Energy Advisors (REAs) are required to remain impartial under their contract with Natural Resources Canada, which includes a strict code of conduct. REAs are prohibited from selling equipment, performing retrofits in your home, or recommending specific contractors (e.g., HVAC, insulation, or window installers).
Image: Official sources also often have fraud alerts, such as the one above for Enbridge and SaveOnEnergy’s Home Renovations Savings program. Note that as government programs come and go, scams will evolve to reflect new changes.
What to Do if You’ve Been Scammed
If you believe you’ve been the victim of a scam, act quickly.
Step #1: Report the Fraud
Contact NRCan, Enbridge, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to report the scam. You can also report it to your local police or call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
Step #2: Learn Your Rights
Under the Consumer Protection Act(CPA), you have specific rights when you make a purchase of over $50 from a salesperson at your door or in your home. Here's what you should know:
- You can cancel any contract, for any reason, within 10 days of receiving a written copy of the agreement.
- The CPA requires that your contract includes key details about the product or service, along with your rights as a consumer. If the contract lacks this information, you have up to one year to cancel it.
- If the salesperson or company made any false or misleading statements when selling you the product or service, you can cancel the contract within one year, regardless of its value.
For advice or assistance, call Consumer Protection at 1-800-889-9768.
Step #3: Dispute Charges
If you’ve made payments, immediately contact your credit card company. Don’t wait — time is critical when addressing fraudulent charges.
Step #4: Stay Informed
Home energy retrofits can be beneficial, but only if handled through legitimate, trusted channels. Be cautious, stay informed, and always verify any rebate or offer before making any commitments.
By staying vigilant and aware of these deceptive practices, you can protect yourself from falling victim to a scam. Keep these tips in mind, and make sure your next home improvement project truly benefits you and your home.
Have questions? We’re here to help. Contact the Green Venture Energy Team at (905) 540-8787 extension 1, or [email protected]
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