ONTARIO HEAT PUMP REBATES • HOME RENOVATION SAVINGS
Heat pump rebates in Ontario: understand the rules before you install.
Ontario’s Home Renovation Savings™ program currently offers incentives for eligible cold-climate air-source and ground-source heat pumps. DAVESDUCTS is a participating HVAC contractor and can help eligible homeowners select qualifying equipment and complete the required heat-pump application process.
CURRENT HEAT PUMP INCENTIVES
Your existing primary heating source affects the available rebate.
Home Renovation Savings currently calculates cold-climate air-source heat-pump incentives according to the home’s qualifying primary heating source and the eligible heat pump’s rated heating capacity. Program terms, eligibility and incentive amounts can change, so the official program requirements govern.
ENBRIDGE NATURAL GAS
Up to $2,000 for a qualifying cold-climate air-source heat pump.
Current incentive: $500 per ton, calculated using the eligible unit’s rated heating capacity at 8.3°C (47°F), up to $2,000.
The home must meet the applicable program requirements, including the requirements for Enbridge Gas customers who primarily heat with a natural-gas furnace or boiler.
ELECTRICITY • OIL • PROPANE • WOOD
Up to $7,500 for a qualifying cold-climate air-source heat pump.
Current incentive: $1,250 per ton, calculated using the eligible unit’s rated heating capacity at 8.3°C (47°F), up to $7,500.
The homeowner must meet the applicable program requirements, including Ontario electricity-grid and primary-heating-source requirements.
GROUND-SOURCE HEAT PUMPS
Ground-source incentives are also available.
The program currently lists a $3,000 flat incentive for qualifying Enbridge natural-gas customers and up to $12,000 for qualifying electricity, oil, propane or wood-heated homes, subject to the applicable program rules and eligible equipment requirements.
IMPORTANT: PRE-APPROVAL
Do not install the heat pump before the program approves the pre-installation application.
For the Home Renovation Savings heat-pump stream, pre-approval is mandatory. The participating contractor submits the pre-installation application, and installation completed before approval is not eligible for the heat-pump rebate.
1 • CONFIRM
Check Eligibility
Confirm that the homeowner, property, existing primary heating source and proposed project meet the current program requirements.
2 • APPLY
Pre-Installation Application
Work with a participating HVAC contractor to select qualifying equipment and complete the required pre-installation submission.
3 • WAIT
Receive Approval
Installation should proceed only after the required program pre-approval has been received.
BASIC ELIGIBILITY
Who may qualify for the heat-pump rebate?
The following summarizes key current requirements. It is not a substitute for the official program terms and conditions.
Homeowner & Property
- The applicant must own the home where the heat pump will be installed.
- Where an owner has tenants, the owner must apply.
- Eligible dwelling types include qualifying detached, semi-detached, row houses, townhomes and mobile homes on permanent foundations.
- New-build homes do not qualify; the program currently requires more than six months of occupancy.
Existing Primary Heating
- Natural-gas homes must meet the program’s Enbridge Gas customer and primary-heating requirements.
- Homes primarily heated with electricity, oil, propane or wood must meet the applicable Ontario electricity-grid requirements.
- Special eligibility restrictions apply to some electricity customers, including Cornwall Electric customers.
Heat Pump Project
- The heat pump must meet the program’s current qualified-product requirements.
- Cold-climate air-source systems must be active eligible models on Natural Resources Canada’s qualified-products list.
- The program currently requires a first-time installation of a space-heating heat-pump system.
- Replacing an existing space-heating heat pump does not currently qualify.
Contractor & Installation
- The heat-pump work must be completed through a participating HVAC contractor.
- The contractor must be participating before the project proceeds under the rebate stream.
- Pre-installation approval is mandatory.
- The contractor completes the post-installation application after the qualifying installation.
FIRST-TIME HEAT PUMP RULE
Already have a heat pump for space heating? A replacement is not currently eligible.
This is an important Home Renovation Savings rule. The current heat-pump stream requires the eligible project to be the home’s first installation of a space-heating heat-pump system. Replacing an existing heat pump used for space heating does not qualify under the current rules.
POTENTIALLY ELIGIBLE
Adding a first space-heating heat pump.
A homeowner converting from an eligible furnace, boiler or other qualifying primary heating source may potentially qualify when all other program requirements are satisfied.
NOT CURRENTLY ELIGIBLE
Replacing an existing space-heating heat pump.
The current program FAQ specifically states that heat-pump replacements are not eligible. Always confirm current rules before proceeding.
HYBRID / DUAL-FUEL SYSTEMS
You may be able to keep a gas furnace and add a qualifying heat pump.
The current program permits an eligible heat pump to operate as a standalone system or with backup heating. For qualifying natural-gas or propane applications where the heat pump is paired with a furnace, the program states that the furnace may be new or existing. The backup heating equipment itself is not part of the heat-pump rebate.
DUCTLESS / MULTI-SPLIT PROJECTS
Ductless systems have specific rebate requirements too.
For eligible mini-split and multi-split projects, the current program requires both the indoor and outdoor equipment to be installed. Replacing only one component or simply adding another indoor unit to an existing heat-pump system is not eligible for the heat-pump rebate.
THE DAVESDUCTS PROCESS
From eligibility review to post-installation submission.
DAVESDUCTS is presently enrolled as a participating Home Renovation Savings HVAC contractor. For a qualifying project, we can help guide the heat-pump portion of the process while designing the HVAC system around the home rather than around the rebate alone.
STEP 1
Confirm the Starting Point
Review the home’s existing primary heating system, existing heat-pump equipment if any, property type and project objectives.
STEP 2
Assess the HVAC System
Consider heating and cooling requirements, existing furnace or air handler, ductwork and airflow, electrical requirements and the intended heating strategy.
STEP 3
Select Qualifying Equipment
Where a rebate is being pursued, verify that the proposed matched heat-pump system satisfies the applicable current qualified-product requirements.
STEP 4
Complete Pre-Installation Submission
Submit the required project information and wait for program approval before completing the rebate-dependent installation.
STEP 5
Install & Commission
Complete the approved HVAC project and commission the system according to the equipment and installation requirements.
STEP 6
Post-Installation Application
Complete the required post-installation submission. After approval, the program currently advises that the rebate cheque should arrive by mail within approximately 60 days.
DESIGN THE HVAC SYSTEM FIRST
A rebate should help fund the right heat pump — not determine which heat pump your house needs.
Rebate eligibility is only one part of a heat-pump project. Equipment capacity, low-temperature performance, ductwork, airflow, electrical capacity, indoor equipment, controls and backup-heating strategy still need to make sense for the home.
ONTARIO HEAT PUMP REBATE FAQ
Common questions about Home Renovation Savings heat-pump incentives.
How much is the Ontario rebate for a cold-climate heat pump?
Under the current Home Renovation Savings program, qualifying Enbridge natural-gas customers can receive $500 per ton up to $2,000 for an eligible cold-climate air-source heat pump. Qualifying homes primarily heated with electricity, oil, propane or wood can receive $1,250 per ton up to $7,500. The incentive is calculated using the eligible heat pump’s rated heating capacity at 8.3°C (47°F), and all program requirements apply.
Do I need a home energy assessment for the heat-pump rebate?
The current Home Renovation Savings heat-pump stream is offered as an upgrade that does not require a home energy assessment. Other Home Renovation Savings upgrades and bundles can have different requirements.
Do I need pre-approval before installing the heat pump?
Yes. The current program states that pre-approval is mandatory and that installations completed before approval are not eligible for the heat-pump rebate.
Can I use any HVAC contractor?
No. The current program requires homeowners to work with a participating HVAC contractor for the heat-pump rebate stream.
Is DAVESDUCTS a participating Home Renovation Savings contractor?
Yes. DAVESDUCTS is presently enrolled as a participating HVAC contractor in the Home Renovation Savings program.
Can I keep my existing gas furnace and still receive a heat-pump rebate?
Potentially, yes. The current program permits qualifying heat pumps to work with backup heating. For eligible natural-gas and propane applications paired with a furnace, the furnace may be new or existing. The heat pump and overall project must still satisfy the program requirements.
Can I get a rebate to replace my existing heat pump?
Not under the current heat-pump rules. The program currently requires a first-time installation of a space-heating heat-pump system and states that heat-pump replacements are not eligible.
Does every cold-climate heat pump qualify?
No. The exact proposed equipment must meet the program’s current qualified-product requirements. For cold-climate air-source heat pumps, the program requires an active eligible model on Natural Resources Canada’s qualified-products list.
How long does the rebate take after installation?
The participating contractor completes the post-installation application. The program currently states that, once that application is approved, the rebate cheque should arrive by mail within approximately 60 days.
Can the rebate rules or amounts change?
Yes. Program incentives, eligibility rules, qualified equipment and application requirements can change. The official Home Renovation Savings terms and conditions in effect for the project determine eligibility.
HEAT PUMP REBATES • TORONTO & THE GTA
Confirm eligibility before ordering the equipment.
If you are considering your first space-heating heat pump, DAVESDUCTS can review the existing HVAC system, discuss central or ductless options and help determine whether the proposed project may fit the current Home Renovation Savings heat-pump stream.
