Modern heat pump system installed outside a home in Ontario eligible for 2026 government rebates
Rebates & Savings

How to Apply for and Stack Ontario Heat Pump Rebates in 2026

EFEcoFrost TeamNovember 14, 2025Updated October 20268 min read

Updated October 2026. This guide is about the process: how to apply for the Home Renovation Savings heat pump rebate, in what order, and what you can stack on top of it. The amount depends on how your home is heated: up to $7,500 for a cold-climate air-source heat pump in a home heated by electricity, oil, propane or wood, or up to $2,000 in a natural-gas home. Every program and amount, including geothermal and the no-cost option for income-qualified homes, is on our Ontario heat pump rebates hub.

How to Claim the HRS Heat Pump Rebate, Step by Step

01

Confirm your heating fuel

The amount depends on it: up to $7,500 for electric, oil, propane or wood heat, or up to $2,000 if you are an Enbridge customer heating with natural gas.

02

Choose a participating contractor

Only contractors on the Home Renovation Savings participating list can submit your application. Ask before you sign.

03

Pick a qualifying heat pump

Cold-climate air-source units must be on the Natural Resources Canada qualified products list for cold-climate heat pumps. Your contractor should confirm the exact model.

04

Get pre-approval before installing

Your contractor submits the pre-installation application. Installations done before approval are not eligible.

05

Install, then claim

After installation the contractor submits the post-installation application. Once it is approved, the cheque should arrive by mail within about 60 days. Keep your invoice and the model and serial numbers.

What Heat Pumps Qualify for 2026 Rebates?

Not every heat pump makes the cut. Here's what to look for:

  • Cold-climate air-source models listed on the Natural Resources Canada qualified products list (ground-source units have their own list)
  • Installed by a participating Home Renovation Savings contractor, with pre-approval before installation
  • Installed in an owned detached, semi-detached, row or town home, or a mobile home on a permanent foundation (new builds do not qualify)
  • Brands commonly qualifying: Daikin, Mitsubishi, Carrier, Lennox, Bosch, LG

What Stacks on Top of the Heat Pump Rebate

The heat pump rebate is the base, and it needs no energy assessment. These Home Renovation Savings rebates can go on the same project; note which ones need an assessment, because that changes the order you book things in.

Stackable in 2026

  • Home Renovation Savings - Heat Pump Water Heater: $500 rebate (home energy assessment and at least one other upgrade required)
  • Home Renovation Savings - Smart Thermostat: $125 on models from the program list, before or after you buy (no assessment)
  • Home Renovation Savings - Insulation: $1,250 for attic insulation on its own (no assessment), or up to $7,700 for attic, wall, foundation and exposed floor insulation done with an assessment as part of two or more upgrades
  • Municipal financing: Some cities offer low-interest loans repaid through your property tax bill, such as Toronto's Home Energy Loan Program (HELP). These are loans, not rebates, so check what your own municipality offers.

How Much Can You Actually Save?

Rebate amounts depend on your heating fuel. Here are the maximum upfront rebates for the two common cases. Running-cost savings depend on your home, your old system and energy prices, so ask for a home-specific estimate rather than a rule of thumb.

SourceNatural-gas homeElectric / oil / propane home
Home Renovation Savings - Heat Pump (air-source)+ $2,000+ $7,500 (non-gas homes)
Home Renovation Savings - Smart Thermostat+ $125+ $125
Maximum upfront rebateup to $2,125up to $7,625
🌡️ Ontario winters are tough on heat pumps always choose a model rated for at least -25°C to -30°C. A hybrid system (heat pump + gas backup) can be a smart middle ground while the grid continues to decarbonize.

Closed and Changed Programs, and What to Claim Instead

Deadlines trip people up, and some contractors still quote programs that no longer take applications. Here is where each one stands for an Ontario homeowner. If you are quoted one of these, ask which current program the contractor is actually applying for.

ProgramStatus / MaxKey Requirement
Oil-to-Heat-Pump Affordability Program (Ontario delivery)OPEN in Ontario: no-cost heat pump install, up to $25,000Income-qualified oil-heated homes; apply through Save on Energy. The July 31, 2026 deadline applied only to federally run provinces
Canada Greener Homes LoanCLOSED to new applications October 1, 2025Was up to $40,000 at 0% interest
Canada Greener Homes GrantCLOSED to new applicants February 5, 2024 (final documents were due December 31, 2025)No federal replacement in Ontario; use HRS
Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+)CLOSED: final applications December 31, 2025Replaced by the Home Renovation Savings Program
💡 Pro Tip: If you currently heat with oil and your income qualifies, you can still get a no-cost heat pump in Ontario through Save on Energy's Energy Affordability Program. If you do not qualify by income, an oil-heated home counts as a non-gas home under HRS, so you qualify for up to $7,500 for an air-source heat pump (up to $12,000 for geothermal).

Why Heat Pumps Are Dominating 2026 Rebate Programs

Both federal and provincial governments have made electrification of home heating a top priority. Heat pumps which move heat rather than burning fuel can deliver 2 to 4 times more energy than they consume. That efficiency is why regulators are offering substantial incentives to push adoption. Modern cold-climate heat pumps now keep operating, at reduced capacity, down to about -25°C to -30°C, making them a genuine solution for Ontario winters rather than just a southern-Canada option.

This guide is about stacking. Every active program with its current amount, the closed ones people still get quoted, and the paperwork we file are on our Ontario heat pump rebates hub. If you want the amount for a specific piece of equipment, furnace, AC, water heater or thermostat, see rebates by service type.

EcoFrost Can Handle the Entire Rebate Process

Many homeowners leave money on the table simply because the paperwork is confusing. At EcoFrost, we help Toronto and GTA homeowners navigate every available rebate, choose a qualifying heat pump, and complete the application on your behalf.

#heat pump#rebates#Ontario#savings#energy efficiency

?Frequently Asked Questions

How much can I get when I stack Ontario heat pump rebates in 2026?

Under the Home Renovation Savings Program (HRS), the air-source heat pump rebate plus the $125 smart thermostat rebate comes to up to $7,625 in a home heated by electricity, oil, or propane, or up to $2,125 in a natural-gas (Enbridge) home. Larger totals need a home energy assessment and more upgrades: the insulation package pays up to $7,700 with an assessment as part of two or more upgrades. The federal Canada Greener Homes Loan closed to new applications October 1, 2025. Income-qualified homes heated by electricity or oil can instead get a heat pump installed at no cost through Save on Energy.

Can income-qualified households get extra help?

Yes, if the home is heated by electricity or oil. Save on Energy's Energy Affordability Program installs a cold-climate heat pump at no cost for income-eligible households in those homes (for oil homes it is funded through the federal Oil-to-Heat-Pump program). You apply to Save on Energy yourself. Income-eligible gas-heated homes may qualify for free insulation and draft proofing through Enbridge's Home Winterproofing Program instead.

Do I need an energy audit before applying for a heat pump rebate?

No. The HRS heat pump rebate does not require a pre- or post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation. An assessment is only needed for the bundled upgrades, such as the comprehensive insulation package (up to $7,700).

Is the Canada Greener Homes Loan still available?

No. The federal Canada Greener Homes Loan (up to $40,000 at 0% interest) closed to new applications on October 1, 2025 once its funding was fully committed. Homeowners already approved keep access to their funds, but new loans are no longer issued. For financing today, ask EcoFrost about standard equipment financing options.

How do I apply for the Ontario heat pump rebate step by step?

Choose a contractor on the Home Renovation Savings participating list. The contractor submits a pre-installation application, and installation can only start once it is approved. After installation the contractor submits the post-installation application; once that is approved, the cheque should arrive by mail within about 60 days. No EnerGuide evaluation is required for the heat pump rebate.

Is there an income-tested program for heat pumps in Ontario?

Yes. Save on Energy's Energy Affordability Program installs a cold-climate heat pump at no cost for income-eligible households whose homes are heated by electricity or oil. Income limits depend on household size (for example, $96,439 before tax for a household of four), and households on OESP, LEAP, ODSP or Ontario Works also qualify.
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