Quick answer: Newmarket winters are hard on under-insulated attics, and many homes from the 1970s to 1990s show it through ice dams, cold bedrooms and wildlife damage. Pro Home Insulation cleans up, air seals and insulates to at least R-50. You may get up to $1,000 to $1,250 back through Ontario’s Home Renovation Savings Program, currently scheduled to run until March 31, 2027. Amounts can change.
Updated November 2026
On this page
- 6 reasons to check your Newmarket attic before winter
- How to tell if wildlife have been in your attic
- What your rebate looks like at different starting points
- Numbers that explain cold-weather heat loss
- Clean and top up vs remove and replace after wildlife
- Step by step: from wildlife problem to warm attic
- Winter-ready attic checklist
- Example project (illustrative)
- Neighbourhoods we serve in Newmarket
- Seasonal attic planner
- Frequently asked questions
- Get a free attic assessment
6 reasons to check your Newmarket attic before winter
- Ice dams along the eaves. Heat leaking into the attic melts snow on the roof, and it refreezes at the colder edge.
- Raccoon and squirrel damage. Wooded areas near the Holland River trails and older neighbourhoods see a lot of wildlife, and attics are an easy target.
- Older insulation in established areas. Homes in Central Newmarket, Gorham-College Manor and Bristol-London may have thin or compressed insulation.
- Settling in 1990s and 2000s homes. Loose fill in Stonehaven, Summerhill Estates and Woodland Hill may have settled below R-50.
- Frost on the roof deck. Warm, moist air escaping through ceiling leaks can form frost that melts and drips in spring.
- Better timing. Fall work means you see the benefit through the whole heating season.
How to tell if wildlife have been in your attic
Listen for scratching or thumping at dawn and dusk. Outside, look for bent roof vents, torn soffits or gaps at the roof edge.
From the hatch, look for flattened paths in the insulation, droppings or shredded material. Do not disturb droppings without protection. Our animal and insect feces removal service handles cleanup and sanitizing before new insulation goes in.
What your rebate looks like at different starting points
The standalone attic rebate pays 50% of your after-tax insulation cost, up to the tier cap. Here is a $2,400 job at each open-attic tier.
| Starting R-value | Cap | 50% of $2,400 | Rebate |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-12 or less | $1,250 | $1,200 | up to $1,200 |
| Above R-12 to R-25 | $1,000 | $1,200 | up to $1,000 |
| Above R-25 to R-35 | $800 | $1,200 | up to $800 |
Amounts can change and funding is first-come, first-served. See full rules on our Ontario attic rebate page and our rebates hub.
Numbers that explain cold-weather heat loss
- Air leakage represents about 20–30% of heat lost from an older home (Natural Resources Canada).
- One small air leak can let in 100 times more moisture than diffusion through the same area (Natural Resources Canada).
- Windows, doors and skylights can account for up to 35% of heat loss (Natural Resources Canada).
- Going from R-16 to R-50 cuts heat flow through the insulation layer by about 68%, simplified (1 − 16/50).
Clean and top up vs remove and replace after wildlife
| Spot clean and top up | Full removal and replace | |
|---|---|---|
| When it fits | Small, contained activity | Widespread droppings, urine or nesting |
| Odour | May linger if contamination is missed | Removed with the old material |
| Air sealing access | Partial | Full access to the ceiling plane |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Rebate | Yes, if you reach R-50 | Yes, if you reach R-50 |
Read more about insulation removal.
Step by step: from wildlife problem to warm attic
- Seal entry points. Make sure animals are out and openings are closed before cleanup.
- Free assessment. We measure insulation and map contamination, moisture and ventilation.
- Cleanup. We remove contaminated insulation and sanitize affected areas.
- Air seal. Top plates, wiring holes and fixtures get sealed with air sealing.
- Vent and insulate. Baffles go in at the eaves, and blown insulation brings the attic to at least R-50.
- Rebate documents. You receive what you need to submit.
Winter-ready attic checklist
- Look for icicles or ice ridges along the roof edge after a snowfall
- Check soffits and roof vents for damage from animals
- Listen for noises in the ceiling at dawn and dusk
- Confirm bath fans vent outside, not into the attic
- Book your assessment before the coldest months if you can
Example project (illustrative)
example — not a specific customer.
A 1987 two-storey home in Glenway has about R-16 of fiberglass, with a raccoon-damaged corner. The damaged section is removed and sanitized, entry points are sealed, then the attic is air sealed and insulated to R-50.
- After-tax insulation cost: $2,400
- 50% of cost: $1,200
- Tier maximum (above R-12 to R-25, to R-50): $1,000
- Estimated rebate: $1,000 (the cap applies)
- Net insulation cost: $2,400 − $1,000 = $1,400
Cleanup is a separate line on the quote.
Neighbourhoods we serve in Newmarket
- Central Newmarket
- Gorham-College Manor
- Bristol-London
- Huron Heights
- Leslie Valley
- Armitage
- Glenway Estates
- Stonehaven
- Wyndham Village
- Summerhill Estates
- Woodland Hill
- Quaker Hill
We also serve nearby Aurora and Richmond Hill.
Seasonal attic planner
A simple year-round plan to keep your attic working.
| Season | What to do |
|---|---|
| Fall | Book an assessment, check soffits and roof vents, top up before heating season |
| Winter | Watch for ice dams, frost on nails or the roof deck, and cold rooms |
| Spring | Look for water stains from melting frost and signs of nesting animals |
| Summer | Note hot upstairs rooms and check bath fan ducts |
Use our attic insulation checklist for a more detailed walkthrough.
Frequently asked questions
Will more insulation stop ice dams on my Newmarket home?
It helps a lot. Air sealing and insulation keep heat out of the attic, and clear soffit vents keep the roof deck cold. Together, they address the main cause of ice dams.
Do I need to deal with raccoons before you insulate?
Yes. Animals must be out and entry points sealed before cleanup and insulation, or the new material can be damaged again.
My home in Woodland Hill is fairly new. Should I check the attic?
It is worth a look. Newer homes can have settled insulation or thin edges. If you measure R-35 or less, you may qualify for a rebate when upgrading to R-50.
Can I get the rebate if I heat with Enbridge Gas?
Yes. Homes heated with Enbridge natural gas qualify, as do homes heated with electricity, oil, propane or wood. You must own the home.
Is the cleanup part of the rebate?
The rebate is based on your after-tax insulation cost. We show cleanup and insulation as separate lines so your submission is clear.
Get a free attic assessment
Pro Home Insulation has more than 10 years of experience helping York Region homeowners get their attics ready for winter. Call (647) 250-0606 or Book online.