The best time to make an older Toronto home warmer is during a renovation, while walls, ceilings and floors are already open. Air-sealing and insulating the attic, the exterior walls, the basement walls and the rim joists, upgrading drafty windows and doors, and improving the heating system make the biggest difference. Ontario's Home Renovation Savings program offers rebates on many of these upgrades.
Many Toronto houses were built long before modern energy codes. They have character worth keeping, but they also have drafts, cold rooms and heating bills to match. Here is where the heat goes and how to fix it the right way.
Where Older Homes Lose Heat
Warm air rises and escapes through gaps at the top of the house, which pulls cold air in through gaps at the bottom. That is why air leaks around attic hatches, light fixtures, plumbing stacks, the rim joist and old windows matter as much as the insulation itself. A home energy assessment with a blower door test shows exactly where your house leaks.
Air-Seal First, Then Insulate
Insulation slows heat moving through a wall, but it does little to stop air moving through gaps. Seal the gaps first, then insulate. In the attic, that means sealing around fixtures, chimneys and the hatch before adding insulation. In the basement, spray foam or rigid insulation on the rim joists is one of the most cost-effective fixes in an older house.
Take Care With Old Brick Walls
Many older Toronto homes have solid brick walls rather than a wood frame with a brick veneer. Insulating those walls from the inside changes how they dry out, and in some cases trapped moisture can freeze and damage the brick over time. Have the walls assessed before insulating them, and use details designed for masonry. This is where an experienced team for historic home renovation in Toronto earns its keep.
Windows and Doors
Drafty single-pane windows and old doors are an obvious source of cold. Sometimes good weatherstripping and storm windows are enough to save original features. Where replacement makes sense, ENERGY STAR certified windows and doors qualify for rebates. If you are keeping original trim, ask for the new windows to be fitted without damaging it.
Upgrade Heating, Wiring and Controls While Walls Are Open
An older furnace or boiler may be due for replacement, and a cold-climate heat pump is now a common choice in Toronto homes. Open walls are also the right time to replace old knob-and-tube wiring, which many insurers will not cover, and to add a smart thermostat. Our smart home renovation team in Toronto can tie controls, sensors and heating together.
Ontario Rebates That Help Pay for the Work
The Home Renovation Savings program, run by Save on Energy and Enbridge Gas with support from the Province of Ontario, offers rebates on energy upgrades for homes heated with electricity, natural gas, oil, propane or wood. It has two paths:
- Bundle path: start with a home energy assessment, then complete two or more upgrades such as insulation, windows and doors, and air sealing. Insulation rebates go up to $7,700, and ENERGY STAR windows and doors earn $100 per rough opening.
- Single upgrades: some measures, such as a cold-climate air source heat pump (up to $7,500, depending on size) or attic insulation, can be claimed without an assessment.
Book the assessment before work starts if you plan to use the bundle path, and confirm current amounts and eligibility on the Save on Energy Home Renovation Savings page. Program funding is limited and terms can change.
For more ideas, read our posts on eco-friendly home renovations and how renovations lower energy bills.
Plan the Order of Work
Energy work fits best inside a larger plan. If you are opening walls for a new kitchen or moving a bathroom, insulate and air-seal those walls at the same time. If a whole-home renovation in Toronto is ahead, plan the heating system around the improved envelope, because a well-sealed house often needs a smaller system. Our post on whole-home renovation mistakes covers other planning traps, and our fall renovation checklist lists the outdoor work to finish before the freeze.
Make Your Older Home Warmer With RM Renovation
RM Renovation renovates older homes across Toronto with respect for their original details and modern standards for comfort. See our older home renovation services, read our reviews on Google, and book a free consultation to plan a warmer winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to keep an old house warm in winter?
Seal air leaks first, especially in the attic and around the rim joists, then add insulation. Upgrading drafty windows and doors and the heating system completes the job.
Can you insulate solid brick walls from the inside?
Yes, but carefully. Interior insulation changes how brick dries, and trapped moisture can cause frost damage. Have the wall assessed and use details designed for masonry.
Are there rebates for insulation in Ontario in 2026?
Yes. The Home Renovation Savings program offers insulation rebates of up to $7,700 on the bundle path, which starts with a home energy assessment. Check current terms with Save on Energy.
Should I replace windows in an older home?
If they are rotten or single-pane and drafty, yes, and ENERGY STAR models qualify for rebates. Sound original windows can often be kept with weatherstripping and storm windows.
Written by Robert Milchevich, RM Renovation.