Glossary · Programs & credentials

ECCC (Environment and Climate Change Canada)

Also called: Environment Canada

The federal environment department, which took over NRCan's Office of Energy Efficiency, including home energy programs, on July 30, 2026.

What it means

ECCC now announces federal home efficiency news such as new CGHAP agreements and the ENERGY STAR Canada awards, and the CGHAP and Oil to Heat Pump Affordability pages say those programs are transitioning to ECCC. ECCC also publishes the climate data, such as heating degree days, used in energy calculations.

Why it matters in an audit

For current federal home energy program information, expect it to come from ECCC even when web pages still carry NRCan's name.

Typical numbers

Reference values with their sources. Your energy advisor’s report gives the figure for your own house.

What	Value	Source
Transfer date	July 30, 2026	gazette.gc.ca ↗

Sources

Learn more here

Related terms

NRCan (Natural Resources Canada) The federal department that built Canada's home energy programs, like EnerGuide; its efficiency office moved to Environment and Climate Change Canada in 2026.
Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (CGHAP) A federal program that pays the full cost of recommended energy upgrades for low- to median-income homeowners and renters, through provinces.
Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program (OHPA) (closed) A federal grant for switching from oil heating to a heat pump; applications closed July 31, 2026, and final paperwork is due Jan 31, 2027.
ENERGY STAR The government-backed blue label for products and some homes that beat minimum efficiency standards by meeting stricter criteria.
Heating degree days (HDD) A measure of how cold a place is: each day adds how far its average temperature falls below 18°C. More degree-days means more heating.
Climate normals Thirty-year averages of temperature, degree-days, precipitation and other weather at a station, used as the typical climate for a place.
National Heat Pump Rebate (announced) A federal heat pump rebate announced in October 2026: $2,000, or up to $10,000 for low- to median-income households, with an online portal due in early 2027.

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