Last updated: October 9, 2026
The Government of Canada has announced a new National Heat Pump Rebate that will provide eligible homeowners with up to $10,000 toward an electric cold-climate heat pump.
The federal government is investing $2 billion over eight years and expects the program to support up to 820,000 heat-pump installations across Canada.
For homeowners in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and British Columbia, this is a significant change to the home-heating rebate picture.
There is one important detail to understand first.
The new National Heat Pump Rebate has been announced, but applications are not open yet as of October 9, 2026.
The Government of Canada's official National Heat Pump Rebate page currently describes the program as upcoming and allows homeowners to sign up for launch updates.
If you are considering replacing oil, propane, electric baseboards, an electric furnace or another older heating system, here is what we know so far.
What Is the New Canada Heat Pump Rebate?
On October 8, 2026, the Government of Canada announced a $2 billion investment in home energy retrofits.
The centrepiece for homeowners is the new National Heat Pump Rebate.
The federal government says the program will help up to 820,000 homeowners install eligible electric cold-climate air-source heat pumps.
Two rebate levels have been announced:
- Up to $10,000 for eligible households below the median-income threshold
- $2,000 for other eligible homeowners
The full income thresholds and detailed eligibility rules have not yet been published on the new program portal.
That distinction matters.
Do not assume you qualify for $10,000 based on an income threshold from an older federal program. The new National Heat Pump Rebate will have its own final eligibility rules.
Quick Answer: What Do Homeowners Need to Know?
- The federal government has committed $2 billion over eight years.
- Up to 820,000 homeowners are expected to receive heat-pump rebates.
- Qualifying lower-income households will receive up to $10,000.
- Other eligible homeowners will receive $2,000.
- No pre-upgrade or post-upgrade home energy audit will be required.
- Eligible heat pumps must appear on the federal Eligible Products List.
- The government says more than 100,000 eligible heat-pump configurations will be available.
- The federal rebate is intended to work alongside existing provincial programs.
- Applications are expected through a new online portal.
- The government says approvals are expected within 24 hours once the program launches.
- The application portal is not yet open as of October 9, 2026.
When Does the New $10,000 Heat Pump Rebate Start?
An exact application launch date has not been announced yet.
This is important because some early coverage of the announcement makes the program sound as though homeowners can apply immediately.
Canada.ca currently describes the National Heat Pump Rebate as upcoming.
The government has created a page where homeowners can sign up to receive National Heat Pump Rebate updates, including information about the launch date, eligibility and application process.
Greenfoot will also continue following the rollout across the five provinces we serve.
| Topic | What is announced as of October 9, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Amount and income | Up to $10,000 for eligible households below the median-income threshold; $2,000 for other eligible homeowners. Final income thresholds and eligibility rules have not been published. |
| Application launch | The program was announced on October 8, 2026, but the application portal is not accepting applications yet. No launch date has been announced. |
| Eligible equipment | The heat pump and its configuration must appear on the federal Eligible Products List. Check the list and final requirements before buying. |
| Energy audits | The federal rebate will not require a pre- or post-upgrade energy audit. A provincial program combined with it may still require one. |
| Announced processing targets | The government expects application approval within 24 hours and payment approval within five days after receipts are submitted. These are expected timelines, not guarantees. |
| Combining provincial incentives | The federal government says the rebate is intended to work alongside provincial programs. Stacking rules, combined-funding limits and province-specific terms are still pending. |
Will You Need a Home Energy Audit?
No.
This is one of the biggest differences between the new National Heat Pump Rebate and several previous federal retrofit programs.
The federal backgrounder specifically states that no pre-upgrade or post-upgrade energy audit will be required for the National Heat Pump Rebate.
That should remove a major step from the process.
Some provincial programs still require energy assessments, so homeowners combining the new federal rebate with provincial incentives might still need one for the provincial portion.
How Fast Will the Heat Pump Rebate Be Approved?
The federal government says the new system is being built around fast approvals.
Once the program is live, eligible homeowners will apply through an online portal using basic personal information and details about the heat pump they plan to purchase.
The government says approval will be provided within 24 hours.
After the approved heat pump has been purchased and installed, the homeowner will upload receipts through the portal.
The government says payment approval will then occur within five days.
Those timelines are part of the announced program design. We will know more about the actual processing experience after applications begin.
Why Is the Program Designed Around Fast Approval?
Heating systems rarely fail at a convenient time.
According to the federal announcement, more than 80% of heating-system replacements happen after the old system breaks unexpectedly.
That creates a problem with rebate programs requiring weeks of paperwork before work starts.
If your furnace dies in January, you do not have several months to wait.
The new National Heat Pump Rebate is being designed so homeowners can receive approval quickly and move directly into installation.
The program will also allow homeowners to apply before a breakdown when an existing heating system is approaching the end of its useful life.
What Heat Pumps Will Qualify?
The federal government says eligible equipment must appear on its Eligible Products List.
The announcement says the list contains more than 100,000 heat-pump options and configurations suited to Canadian conditions.
This is important.
Buying a heat pump does not automatically make the purchase eligible for the federal rebate.
The exact equipment and configuration will need to meet the program requirements.
If you are planning a system now, Greenfoot's heat pump team can assess your home and recommend cold-climate ductless, centrally ducted or other heat-pump options while the final federal program requirements are released.
How Much Could a Heat Pump Save on Energy Bills?
The federal government estimates households switching from oil, propane or electric resistance heating, including electric furnaces and baseboards, will save an average of more than $1,400 per year on energy costs.
That is a national average, not a guaranteed saving for every house.
Your result depends on:
- Your current heating system
- Fuel and electricity prices
- Home size
- Insulation and air leakage
- Heat-pump efficiency
- Local climate
- Temperature settings
- How much supplementary heat you use
A home switching from expensive oil heating has a different savings calculation from a highly efficient home already using low-cost electric heat.
The federal $1,400 figure is useful as a national benchmark, but your home needs its own assessment.
Can the New Federal Heat Pump Rebate Be Combined With Provincial Rebates?
Yes, according to the federal announcement.
The Government of Canada says the new rebate will be able to combine with existing provincial programs.
That could make the new program especially valuable in provinces where heat-pump incentives are already available.
There is still an important unknown.
The final stacking rules, maximum combined funding limits and interaction with each provincial program have not been published yet.
Do not simply add every advertised rebate together and assume the total will be available for one project.
Wait for the final federal and provincial program rules. Our guide to combining heat-pump and insulation rebates explains the checks to make before adding incentives together.
What Does the New Heat Pump Rebate Mean in New Brunswick?
New Brunswick already has active home-energy programs through SaveEnergyNB.
The previous Oil to Heat Pump Affordability advance-funding intake closed in 2026, but support remains available.
SaveEnergyNB currently lists heat-pump rebates of up to $2,000 through its Total Home Energy Savings Program for qualifying homeowners.
Households with incomes of $70,000 or less might also qualify for free energy-efficiency upgrades through the Enhanced Energy Savings Program.
The new federal rebate creates another potential funding source for New Brunswick homeowners.
Ottawa has stated that the National Heat Pump Rebate can combine with provincial programs, but the exact New Brunswick stacking process has not yet been released.
Greenfoot also maintains a dedicated guide to heat pump rebates in New Brunswick as programs change.
What Does the New Heat Pump Rebate Mean in Nova Scotia?
Nova Scotia still has active provincial efficiency programs.
The federal Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program closed to new Nova Scotia applicants on July 2, 2026 after available funding was allocated.
That did not end heat-pump support in the province.
Efficiency Nova Scotia's Moderate Income Rebate continues to support qualifying homeowners, and eligible households can currently combine up to $5,000 from the Moderate Income Rebate with up to $5,000 through the Home Energy Assessment program.
Lower-income homeowners also have access to Efficiency Nova Scotia's HomeWarming program.
The National Heat Pump Rebate will create a new federal layer of support.
The final rules will determine exactly how the new federal $10,000 or $2,000 rebate interacts with Nova Scotia's existing incentives.
Greenfoot is an Efficiency Nova Scotia Preferred Partner+ and maintains an updated Nova Scotia heat-pump rebate guide.
What Does the New Heat Pump Rebate Mean in Prince Edward Island?
PEI is one of the provinces where this announcement matters most right now.
PEI's general residential heat-pump rebates ended on April 15, 2026.
Applications for PEI's free heat-pump program and the previous Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program are also closed to new applicants.
The Government of Prince Edward Island confirms those closures on its current heat-pump page.
The new National Heat Pump Rebate therefore has the potential to reopen meaningful federal financial support for Island homeowners who missed the earlier programs.
We do not yet know whether PEI will introduce a new provincial incentive alongside the federal program.
Until new provincial details are announced, homeowners should treat the federal rebate as upcoming rather than assuming a combined federal-provincial amount.
What Does the New Heat Pump Rebate Mean in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Newfoundland and Labrador currently has a mix of energy-efficiency support rather than a broad standard residential heat-pump rebate through TakeCharge.
TakeCharge currently states that it does not offer a general residential heat-pump rebate, although Newfoundland Power customers can access financing for qualifying electric heating systems.
There is also a separate income-qualified program.
The TakeCharge Greener Homes Program is currently accepting applications and provides qualifying households with a limited number of no-cost upgrades, including heat pumps, insulation, air sealing and heat-recovery ventilators.
The new federal National Heat Pump Rebate could give many Newfoundland and Labrador homeowners another route to direct heat-pump funding.
Final interaction between the programs will depend on the federal rules released at launch.
What Does the New Heat Pump Rebate Mean in British Columbia?
B.C. already has some of the strongest existing heat-pump incentives among the provinces Greenfoot serves.
BC Hydro currently offers up to $4,000 for eligible homeowners replacing electric heating with a qualifying heat pump.
Some communities have additional incentives.
Eligible participants in BC Hydro's community-based programs can receive further top-ups, and a limited-time 2026 promotion adds additional funding for qualifying installations completed within the promotional period.
The new federal announcement specifically states that the National Heat Pump Rebate is intended to work with existing provincial programs.
That makes B.C. one of the most interesting provinces to watch as the final stacking rules are published.
Do not assume that a $10,000 federal rebate automatically adds dollar-for-dollar to every existing B.C. incentive. Program caps and cost-sharing rules still need to be confirmed.
Greenfoot maintains an updated British Columbia heat-pump rebate guide for homeowners comparing available programs.
Who Gets the Full $10,000 Heat Pump Rebate?
The federal announcement says households below the median income will qualify for up to $10,000.
Other eligible homeowners will receive $2,000.
The federal government has not yet published the final income table for this new program.
This means we do not yet have a reliable dollar threshold for a one-person, two-person or larger household under the National Heat Pump Rebate.
Older income thresholds from the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program should not be treated as the new program's thresholds unless Ottawa confirms them.
Will Electric Baseboard Homes Qualify?
Electric resistance heating is specifically mentioned in the federal announcement.
The government identifies electric furnaces and electric baseboards among the heating systems where households switching to heat pumps are expected to see significant energy savings.
Full eligibility rules have not yet been published, so homeowners should wait for the program guide before assuming any specific home qualifies.
If you currently use electric baseboards, Greenfoot also has a guide explaining how ductless heat pumps work with existing baseboard heating.
For supplementary heating considerations, see whether you still need baseboard heating with a heat pump.
Will Oil and Propane Homes Qualify?
The federal announcement specifically highlights households currently heating with oil and propane among the groups expected to benefit from switching to heat pumps.
The directly administered federal Oil to Heat Pump Affordability intake closed on July 31, 2026. Provincial delivery partners have their own intake rules and closure dates.
The National Heat Pump Rebate appears designed to create a broader replacement program rather than simply extending the old oil-only incentive.
Detailed eligibility by existing fuel type still needs to be confirmed when the final program guide launches.
Can Landlords Get the New Heat Pump Rebate?
The federal announcement specifically gives an example involving landlords.
Only one rebate per person will be issued.
The government says that if a landlord uses the rebate to install a heat pump in a property they own, the same person cannot also claim another National Heat Pump Rebate for their own residence.
More detailed landlord and rental-property eligibility rules are expected with the full program terms.
What Should Homeowners Do Right Now?
If your furnace or heating system is still working and replacement is not urgent, waiting for the complete federal program rules makes sense.
There are several useful steps you can take now.
- Sign up for federal updates. Use the official Government of Canada National Heat Pump Rebate page.
- Find out what heating system your home needs. Heat-pump sizing should be based on the home, layout, climate and existing heating system.
- Check existing provincial programs. Some incentives are already available and might eventually combine with the federal rebate.
- Do not buy equipment solely because someone promises it will qualify. The heat pump will need to appear on the federal Eligible Products List.
- Keep your quote and equipment details clear. The federal application will require information about the heat pump being purchased.
- Wait for pre-approval once the program launches. The federal process is designed around approval before purchase and installation.
What If Your Furnace Breaks Before the Program Launches?
This is the difficult situation.
The government designed the National Heat Pump Rebate specifically around emergency heating-system replacement, but the online application portal is not open yet.
Do not assume a heat pump installed before the official program launch will qualify retroactively.
No retroactive eligibility rule has been announced.
If your heating system fails before the program launches, check the current federal and provincial rules before making a rebate-based decision.
You still need heat.
Waiting for a future rebate during a Canadian winter is not always practical.
Why the New Program Is Different From the Canada Greener Homes Grant
The old Canada Greener Homes Grant required a more involved process for many upgrades, including EnerGuide evaluations.
The new National Heat Pump Rebate is being designed around one specific upgrade and a much faster application.
The announced process looks like this:
- Choose an eligible cold-climate heat pump.
- Submit a simple online application.
- Receive approval, targeted within 24 hours.
- Purchase and install the pre-approved system.
- Upload your receipts.
- Receive payment approval, targeted within five days.
No pre-upgrade or post-upgrade energy audit is required by the federal rebate itself.
That simplified process could make the program far easier to use when an old furnace suddenly fails.
Is the National Heat Pump Rebate Available Now?
No, not yet.
As of October 9, 2026, the Government of Canada has announced the program but has not opened the application portal.
The official website currently asks homeowners to sign up for information about:
- Launch dates
- Eligibility
- Rebate amounts
- How to apply
That is the best indication that additional program details are still coming.
National Heat Pump Rebate FAQ
What is the new Canada heat pump rebate for 2026?
The National Heat Pump Rebate is a new $2 billion federal program announced on October 8, 2026. It is expected to support up to 820,000 homeowners installing eligible electric cold-climate air-source heat pumps.
How much is the new federal heat pump rebate?
Eligible households below the median-income threshold will receive up to $10,000. Other eligible homeowners will receive $2,000.
When does the $10,000 heat pump rebate start?
The federal government has not yet published an exact launch date. As of October 9, 2026, Canada.ca describes the rebate as upcoming and is collecting registrations for launch updates.
Is the National Heat Pump Rebate open for applications?
No. The announcement has been made, but the application portal is not yet open as of October 9, 2026.
Do I need a home energy audit for the new heat pump rebate?
No. The federal government says no pre-installation or post-installation energy audit will be required for the National Heat Pump Rebate.
Can I combine the federal heat pump rebate with provincial rebates?
The federal government says the new rebate can combine with existing provincial programs. Exact stacking limits and province-specific rules still need to be released.
Can I get $10,000 if I have electric baseboards?
The federal announcement specifically identifies electric resistance heating, including baseboards, among the systems where switching to a heat pump is expected to reduce energy costs. The full income and property eligibility rules are still pending.
Do oil-heated homes qualify for the new heat pump rebate?
The announcement specifically identifies oil-heated households among those expected to benefit. Final eligibility requirements for existing heating fuels will be confirmed when the complete program rules are released.
What heat pumps qualify for the federal rebate?
The system must appear on the federal Eligible Products List. The government says the list includes more than 100,000 eligible heat-pump options and configurations suited to Canadian conditions.
How fast will the federal heat pump rebate be approved?
The government says applications will receive approval within 24 hours once the program launches. After installation, receipt submissions are expected to receive payment approval within five days.
How much money will a heat pump save each year?
The federal government estimates average annual energy savings of more than $1,400 for households switching from oil, propane or electric resistance heating. Actual savings depend on the home, existing heating system, local energy prices and heat-pump performance.
Does Greenfoot install rebate-eligible heat pumps?
Greenfoot installs cold-climate ductless, centrally ducted and other heat-pump systems across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and British Columbia. Final eligibility under the new federal program will depend on the equipment appearing on the National Heat Pump Rebate Eligible Products List.
Planning a Heat Pump Upgrade?
The new National Heat Pump Rebate could significantly reduce the upfront cost of switching to a cold-climate heat pump.
But the program is not open yet.
The best move right now is to understand what system your home needs, review the incentives already available in your province and watch for the official federal launch.
Greenfoot Energy installs cold-climate heat pumps across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and British Columbia.
As the new federal program rolls out, Greenfoot will continue updating rebate information to reflect the final eligibility rules, qualifying equipment and provincial stacking requirements.
Get a free heat pump assessment and find out which system fits your home.