Heat pump rebates in Ontario have changed a lot in a few years. Federal grants that many people still remember have closed, and the main program now is a provincial one run jointly by Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy. This guide sets out what is available to a homeowner around Hamilton in 2026, how much it is roughly worth, and the steps to follow so you do not lose it on a technicality.
Rebate programs change their amounts and rules, sometimes with little notice. Check the official program site before you sign a contract, and ask your contractor to confirm the current amount in writing.
The Home Renovation Savings Program
The Home Renovation Savings Program (HRS) launched in early 2025 as a joint program of Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy, the province’s electricity conservation program. It offers rebates on heat pumps, insulation, windows and doors, air sealing, smart thermostats and some other upgrades. It is not income-tested.
There are two ways in. Single upgrades such as a heat pump or a smart thermostat can be claimed without a home energy assessment. Bigger bundles of two or more upgrades go through an assessment path, which can unlock more measures and pays toward the assessment itself.
How much for a heat pump
The amount depends on what heats your home today, the kind of heat pump and its size.
- Homes heated with electricity, oil, propane or wood: up to $7,500 for a qualifying cold-climate air-source heat pump, calculated by capacity (program guides list about $1,250 per ton).
- Homes heated with natural gas: a much smaller air-source rebate (program guides list about $500 per ton, up to around $2,000). Confirm the current figure before you sign.
- Ground-source (geothermal) heat pumps: up to $12,000 for qualifying systems in homes not heated with gas.
- Smart thermostats: a small rebate, around $75 to $125 depending on the path.
The official program site lists heat pumps at up to $12,000 and cold-climate air-source heat pumps at up to $7,500 as of October 2026. Your rebate will be calculated on the actual equipment installed, so ask the contractor to show you the expected amount for the specific model and size.
What qualifies
- The heat pump must be on the program’s qualifying list, which draws on Natural Resources Canada and cold-climate specifications. Not every heat pump sold in Ontario is on it.
- It must be installed by a participating contractor registered with the program.
- The home must be an existing residential property in Ontario served by the program’s utilities.
- For the full non-gas amount, the home’s main heat must currently be something other than natural gas.
Do it in the right order
The most common way people lose a rebate is by installing first and applying later. The usual order is:
- Get quotes from participating contractors, and confirm the model is on the qualifying list.
- Register or get pre-approval before the work starts, usually with the contractor’s help.
- Have the heat pump installed and commissioned.
- Submit the invoice, model and serial numbers and any photos the program asks for.
- Receive the rebate, typically by cheque or direct deposit some weeks later.
What has closed
- Canada Greener Homes Grant: closed to new applicants in 2024.
- Canada Greener Homes Loan: the interest-free loan stopped taking new applications on October 1, 2025.
- Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (federal): the federal intake closed in July 2026. Income-qualified Ontario households may still be able to get a heat pump through Save on Energy’s Energy Affordability Program, which decides eligibility itself.
Some websites still advertise these as open. If a contractor quotes a federal grant as part of the price, ask exactly which program and check it yourself.
Income-qualified help
Save on Energy’s Energy Affordability Program provides free energy upgrades, which can include heat pumps in some cases, to income-qualified households. Eligibility and what is offered are set by the program, not by contractors. If your household might qualify, apply there first: it can be worth far more than a rebate.
Gas homes: is it still worth it?
The smaller rebate for gas-heated homes reflects the fact that heat pumps save less money against natural gas than against oil, propane or electric heat. For a gas home, the strongest case is usually a hybrid system installed when the air conditioner needs replacing. The rebate then helps cover the difference between a new AC and a heat pump. See heat pump vs furnace and the heat pump vs gas calculator.
Other upgrades that pair well
Air sealing and attic insulation reduce the heat loss a heat pump has to cover, which can let you buy a smaller unit and keep the backup heat off more often. The same program offers rebates on those. A heat pump water heater, an electric water heater with its own small heat pump, is another option worth asking about.
Tax and paperwork
Keep the contract, invoice, the model and serial numbers, the program approval and the rebate confirmation together. If you sell the house, buyers increasingly ask about heating equipment and rebates, and the paperwork also supports warranty claims.
Getting a rebate-ready quote
Send one request for a heat pump quote and say you want to claim the Home Renovation Savings rebate. We pass it to a licensed contractor in your area who installs cold-climate heat pumps. Ask them to confirm they are a participating contractor and to include the expected rebate on the quote. Read heat pump installation for what the job involves.
Questions people ask
How much is the heat pump rebate in Ontario?
Up to $7,500 for a qualifying cold-climate air-source heat pump in a home not heated with natural gas, and a smaller amount (around $2,000 at most) for gas-heated homes, under the Home Renovation Savings Program. Ground-source systems can receive more.
Do I need an energy audit to get a heat pump rebate?
Not for a single heat pump upgrade. The assessment path is for bundles of two or more upgrades, and it can unlock additional rebates.
Is the Canada Greener Homes Grant still available?
No. The grant closed to new applicants in 2024, and the Greener Homes Loan stopped accepting applications on October 1, 2025.
Can I install first and claim the rebate later?
Usually not. The program expects a participating contractor and registration or pre-approval before installation. Check the current rules before work starts.