Are there any NB government grants or rebates for building an energy-efficient garage in New Brunswick?

There are currently no NB provincial grants or rebates specifically for building a new energy-efficient garage. However, depending on how your garage project integrates with your home, you may be able to access certain federal and provincial energy efficiency programs — particularly if you are building an attached garage that improves the overall thermal envelope of your dwelling, or if you are converting a garage to living space and upgrading insulation and heating systems as part of the project.

The Canada Greener Homes Grant (federal program through Natural Resources Canada) has provided rebates of up to $5,000 for home energy efficiency upgrades including insulation, air sealing, windows, doors, and heat pumps. This program has gone through multiple phases and funding cycles — as of 2025-2026, check the current status at nrcan.gc.ca, as eligibility and funding availability change. The key requirement is that the upgrades must apply to your primary residence, which means a detached garage used solely for vehicle storage would not qualify. However, if you are building an attached garage and the project includes upgrading the shared wall insulation, adding a high-efficiency heat pump (such as a ductless mini-split), or improving the overall building envelope where the garage connects to the house, portions of that work may be eligible.

New Brunswick's NB Power energy efficiency programs offer rebates on specific products and upgrades including heat pumps, insulation, and air sealing for residential properties. If you install a ductless mini-split heat pump in a garage workshop or loft space that is part of your home's heated envelope, you may qualify for an NB Power heat pump rebate of $500 to $1,500 depending on the unit and current program terms. NB Power has also offered rebates on insulation upgrades — if your garage project includes insulating the shared wall between an attached garage and the house, or insulating a garage that contains heated living space above, check with NB Power for current eligibility.

EV charger installation is one area where incentives do exist and directly relate to garage construction. The federal Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) program and various provincial and utility programs have offered rebates on Level 2 EV charger installation. If you are building a new garage and wiring it for a Level 2 EV charger (a dedicated 40-amp 240V circuit), check current federal and NB incentives — rebates of $200 to $600 for charger hardware have been available through various programs. Planning EV-ready wiring during initial garage construction costs only $300 to $600 versus $1,500 to $3,000 for a retrofit after the garage is finished and insulated.

For homeowners considering a garage conversion to a secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit (ADU), there may be additional incentive programs available. The federal government has introduced programs supporting ADU construction as part of housing affordability initiatives, and some municipalities in NB are relaxing zoning restrictions to allow secondary suites. If your garage conversion creates a self-contained rental unit, check with CMHC and your local municipality for current incentive programs.

Property tax implications are worth understanding even though they are not a rebate. Adding a garage to your property will increase its assessed value, which means higher property taxes. In most NB municipalities, a standard two-car detached garage adds $15,000 to $30,000 to the assessed value, resulting in a property tax increase of $200 to $500 per year depending on the municipal tax rate. A garage with a finished loft or bonus room will be assessed higher. This is not a reason to avoid building a garage — the increase in property value and usability far exceeds the tax increase — but it is a cost to factor into your long-term budget.

The most practical way to build an "energy-efficient garage" in NB is to invest in the right insulation, air sealing, and heating systems during initial construction when the cost is lowest. Insulating a two-car garage with batt insulation in the walls and ceiling costs $1,500 to $4,000 during construction versus $3,000 to $7,000 as a retrofit. Spray foam insulation at $3,500 to $7,000 provides superior air sealing and vapour control in NB's Maritime climate. A garage built to high energy efficiency standards will save hundreds of dollars per year in heating costs if you use the space as a workshop, and it protects your vehicles and stored items from NB's extreme winter temperatures.

For the most current information on available programs, contact NB Power's energy efficiency team, check Natural Resources Canada's website for federal programs, and speak with your local municipal office about any local incentives. New Brunswick Garages can also help connect you with contractors who are experienced with energy-efficient garage construction through the New Brunswick Construction Network.