Many customers hoping to take advantage of the federal Greener Homes initiative had to rush to meet yesterday’s deadline for applications.

The $2.5 billion program came to abrupt end yesterday, years ahead of schedule.

The federal government says more than half a million households applied for greener homes grants. It says thousands of applications are still being processed, with more than 165,000 grants handed out.

Ottawa says the “next phase” of Canada Greener Homes initiative will help people in the low to median income range with the installation of heat pumps and address things like drafty windows and energy efficiency.