Glossary · Programs & credentials
CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)
Also called: SCHL · CMHC Eco Improvement · CMHC-insured
Canada's national housing agency; it insures mortgages, publishes homeowner guides and refunds part of your mortgage insurance premium for energy upgrades.
What it means
CMHC runs mortgage loan insurance and much of Canada's housing research. Its CMHC Eco Improvement program refunds 25% of the mortgage insurance premium for buyers with a CMHC-insured mortgage who complete at least $20,000 of eligible energy-saving work and apply within 2 years of closing. Its About Your House guides are also the source of common advice, such as keeping winter humidity near 30% when it's very cold outside.
Why it matters in an audit
If you bought with a CMHC-insured mortgage, an audit-backed renovation plan can also earn back part of your insurance premium, as long as you apply in time.
Typical numbers
Reference values with their sources. Your energy advisor’s report gives the figure for your own house.
| What | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CMHC Eco Improvement | 25% refund of your CMHC mortgage insurance premium after at least $20,000 of eligible energy-efficient work; apply within 2 years of your mortgage closing | cmhc-schl.gc.ca ↗ |
| Winter humidity rule of thumb (CMHC) | 30%–50% relative humidity in the heating season; about 30% when it's below −10°C (14°F) outside | publications.gc.ca ↗ |