Rebates
Ontario heat pump rebate 2026: stack federal + provincial for $5K–$10K off
Ontario homeowners can stack federal and provincial rebates to take $5,000 to $10,000+ off a new heat pump in 2026. This guide tracks what's actually live right now and how the math works on a real Oxford County install.
Ontario homeowners can stack federal and provincial rebates to take $5,000 to $10,000+ off a new heat pump installation in 2026. The exact number depends on whether you have natural gas, what you're replacing, and which programs you qualify for. This guide tracks what's actually live right now and how the math actually works.
We design every heat pump quote with current rebate eligibility in mind — see the rebates page for the live program list. This article goes deeper into how the programs interact.
The short version
| Program | Maximum rebate | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Enbridge HER+ | Up to $6,500 stacked | Enbridge gas customers; pre/post-audit required |
| Federal Greener Homes (successor) | Up to $5,000 on heat pumps | Most Ontario homeowners |
| IESO Save on Energy | $100–$500 (smart thermostats, periodic HP programs) | All Ontario electricity customers |
| Provincial top-ups | Varies | Check current program list |
Realistic stack on a typical Oxford County heat pump install in 2026: $5,000–$10,000 off, depending on which programs apply to your home and what equipment you're installing.
Why heat pumps qualify for the biggest rebates
Heat pumps are the single most efficient way to heat and cool a home with electricity. A cold-climate heat pump can deliver 2–3 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity it consumes, because it moves heat rather than generating it. A gas furnace can't beat 1:1 — burn $1 of gas, get $0.95-0.98 worth of heat (at 98% AFUE).
Both Ontario and Canada have decided to move heating off fossil fuels over the next 25 years, and rebates are the carrot driving the residential side of that shift. That's why heat pumps qualify for the largest single rebates available right now — bigger than what's on offer for furnaces, AC, or insulation.
Enbridge HER+ in detail
Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) is run by Enbridge Gas in partnership with the federal program. It's available to Ontario homeowners who heat with natural gas.
How it works:
- You hire a Registered Energy Advisor for a pre-retrofit audit (currently around $400–$650 — partially reimbursed if you complete enough qualifying work)
- The advisor identifies eligible improvements: insulation, air sealing, windows, doors, furnace, AC, heat pump, water heater
- You do the work using certified equipment installed by qualified contractors
- You hire the advisor for a post-retrofit audit
- Enbridge sends the rebate cheque
Heat-pump-relevant rebates inside HER+ as of early 2026:
- Air-source heat pump (cold-climate certified): up to $6,500
- Ground-source heat pump: higher amounts
- Hybrid system (heat pump + furnace): variable based on configuration
The exact dollar amounts shift year to year. Confirm at the time of quote — we'll have the current number.
Federal Greener Homes successor
The original Canada Greener Homes Grant (which offered up to $5,000 plus a $600 audit reimbursement) closed to new applicants. The successor program covers similar measures with adjusted eligibility — focused on lower-income households and on heat pumps as the priority measure.
As of early 2026, what we know:
- Heat pumps remain the highest-priority measure under the successor program
- Eligibility criteria differ from the original program (income tests, fuel-source rules)
- Application process runs through Natural Resources Canada
- The program has been changing — check the official Natural Resources Canada page for the current state
This program transitions periodically. Our rebates page tracks the current state at a higher refresh rate than this article.
IESO Save on Energy
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) runs periodic incentives for Ontario electricity customers. Heat pump rebates come and go as funding cycles. As of early 2026, the relevant programs include:
- Smart thermostat rebates ($100 typical)
- Periodic heat pump incentives — check savings.saveonenergy.ca for current programs
- Some demand-response programs that pay you a small monthly credit for letting them adjust your thermostat during peak demand
These typically don't move the needle the way HER+ and the federal program do, but every dollar counts.
How to stack them
The programs are designed to be stackable on the same install, but you need to know the rules:
- HER+ requires the audit and certified equipment — if you skip the audit, no rebate.
- Federal successor program has its own equipment eligibility list — most cold-climate heat pumps qualify, but verify before ordering.
- Both programs reimburse after install — you pay the full install cost upfront, then receive rebate cheques weeks to months later.
- Don't double-claim — the same dollar of work can't be reimbursed by two programs.
We design quotes that maximize what you qualify for. We'll point you at the right forms, but the application is yours to submit.
A realistic example
Mid-sized Woodstock home, replacing a 15-year-old furnace + AC with a cold-climate heat pump + high-efficiency gas furnace as backup:
| Line item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Cold-climate heat pump (3-ton, mid-tier) | ~$8,000 |
| High-efficiency gas furnace backup (mid-tier) | ~$6,000 |
| Install labour, ductwork tune-up, commissioning | ~$3,500 |
| Energy audit (pre + post) | ~$650 |
| Subtotal before rebates | ~$18,150 |
| Enbridge HER+ stacked rebate (heat pump + insulation if applicable) | -$5,500 |
| Federal successor program (heat pump portion) | -$3,000 |
| IESO smart thermostat | -$100 |
| After-rebate cost | ~$9,550 |
That's a directional example — your home's numbers will be different. The point is the stacked rebates can take roughly 40-50% off the total spend on a hybrid heat pump install when everything qualifies.
What can disqualify you
- Installing before the pre-audit (HER+) — the rebate program requires the audit happen first.
- Using equipment not on the eligible list — Enbridge and the federal program both publish equipment lists. We'll spec from those lists.
- Cutting corners on the install — both programs require licensed contractors and proper documentation. We provide that documentation; uncertified installs are non-rebatable.
- Missing the post-audit (HER+) — if you skip the post-audit, you don't get the rebate.
A note on heat pump performance in Oxford County winters
A common worry: do heat pumps actually work in Ontario? Yes, with the right equipment. Modern cold-climate heat pumps maintain effective heating down to around -25°C. Below that, the backup furnace (in a hybrid setup) takes over.
For most Oxford County homes, the heat pump handles 85-90% of the heating hours each year. The furnace only kicks in during the coldest stretches. That's where the operating-cost savings come from — heat pumps are roughly 2-3× more efficient than gas furnaces for the temperature range they cover well.
For more on this, see our guide on heat pump vs furnace for Oxford County winters.
Common questions on stacking
Some of the rebate language gets confusing because programs change names and rules. A few things to know:
- The "Greener Homes Loan" (interest-free loan up to $40,000) is separate from the grant programs and may still be available
- HER+ used to be called the "Home Efficiency Rebate" before adding the federal-stack option
- Some rebates flow through the contractor (instant discount at quote-time), others come as cheques to you weeks later
We track which is which at quote-time. The total dollar amount is the same either way — the timing of when you receive the money differs.
Ready to see your specific rebate math?
We'll come out, look at your home, calculate exactly what you qualify for under current programs, and quote a heat pump install with the after-rebate number. No estimate written in advance, no surprise lines.
Heat pump installs work in Woodstock, Ingersoll, Tillsonburg, and the rest of our 30-minute service area.
Common Questions
Frequently asked
How much can I save on a heat pump with Ontario rebates in 2026?
Realistic stack on a typical Oxford County heat pump install: $5,000–$10,000 off, depending on which programs you qualify for. Enbridge HER+ contributes up to $6,500 for natural-gas customers who complete the audit process. The federal Greener Homes successor program adds up to $5,000 on heat-pump-specific equipment. IESO and small provincial programs add another few hundred.
Do I need a home energy audit?
For Enbridge HER+, yes — a pre-retrofit audit is required (currently around $400–$650). After you complete the work, a post-retrofit audit triggers the rebate. The federal successor program has separate eligibility rules. We design jobs that work with the audit process.
Can I stack federal and provincial rebates?
Yes, they're designed to be stackable on the same install. The rule is no double-claiming — the same dollar of work can't be reimbursed by two programs. The programs split coverage so they don't overlap on the same line items.
Do heat pumps qualify for the biggest rebates?
Yes. Heat pumps qualify for the largest single rebates available in 2026 — larger than what's on offer for furnaces, AC, or insulation alone. Both Ontario and Canada have decided to move heating off fossil fuels, and rebates drive the residential side of that shift.
What can disqualify me from rebates?
Installing before the pre-audit (HER+), using equipment not on the eligible list, skipping the post-audit, or using an uncertified installer. We document the install for rebate eligibility and use equipment from the approved lists.
When do I actually receive the rebate money?
Both HER+ and the federal program reimburse after install — you pay the full install cost upfront, then receive rebate cheques weeks to months later. Some smaller IESO programs flow through the contractor as instant discount at quote-time. The total dollar amount is the same either way.
