If you are comparing heat pump installation costs in Ontario, the current rebate path to review first is the Home Renovation Savings program. The program is delivered by Save on Energy and Enbridge Gas with support from the Ontario government, and it includes rebates for eligible cold climate air-source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, smart thermostats, and other efficiency upgrades.
For Oshawa and Durham Region homeowners, the important point is that rebate amounts depend on your existing heating fuel, the equipment selected, system capacity, ownership/rental structure, and approval before installation. Fortis Heating & Air Conditioning can help you compare heat pump options for your home, but final rebate eligibility should always be confirmed through the program rules before work begins. If you are ready to look at equipment, start with our heat pump installation services.
Current Ontario Heat Pump Rebate Amounts
Home Renovation Savings lists heat pumps as a single-upgrade option, which means eligible homeowners may be able to apply without bundling a full home energy assessment package. The current public program summary lists cold climate air-source heat pumps at up to $7,500 and ground source heat pumps at up to $12,000, with the final amount based on the size and type of system installed.
The detailed heat pump stream requirements separate the rebate by baseline heating fuel:
- Electricity, oil, propane, or wood heated homes: eligible cold climate air-source heat pumps may qualify at $1,250 per ton, up to $7,500.
- Enbridge natural gas heated homes: eligible cold climate air-source heat pumps may qualify at $500 per ton, up to $2,000.
- Ground source heat pumps: eligible systems may qualify up to $12,000 for electricity, oil, propane, or wood heated homes, or a flat $3,000 amount for Enbridge natural gas heated homes.
- Related upgrades: eligible smart thermostats may qualify for $100, and qualified heat pump water heaters may qualify for $500 under the broader program.
Program amounts, funding windows, and application rules can change. Review the official Home Renovation Savings program page and the official heat pump program stream requirements before making a purchase decision.
How the Heat Pump Rebate Process Works
The heat pump stream is built around pre-installation approval. The program requirements say the homeowner must use an HVAC contractor from the participating contractor list, and the contractor is responsible for submitting the pre-installation application before the eligible heat pump is installed.
That pre-installation step matters. It generally includes documentation such as an itemized work order and photos or nameplate details for the existing heating system. If the equipment is installed before the required program approval, the homeowner may lose eligibility.
After installation, the post-installation application must be approved before the rebate is paid. Keep copies of the quote, model numbers, AHRI or qualified product information, invoices, photos, and any program correspondence so there is a clear record.
Who May Qualify
Most Durham Region homeowners start by confirming their current heating source. The heat pump stream is available to eligible Enbridge residential customers whose homes are primarily heated by natural gas, and to eligible Ontario homeowners with oil, propane, wood, or electric-resistance heated homes connected to the IESO-controlled grid. Cornwall Electric customers are excluded because they are not connected to that grid.
The home and equipment also need to meet program rules. Important checks include:
- The applicant must own the eligible home. Tenants cannot apply on behalf of the owner.
- The home cannot already have an existing heat pump system used for space heating.
- A new build generally must be occupied for at least six months before it can qualify.
- The heat pump must be an eligible cold climate air-source or ground source system listed by the program.
- The system must be properly sized, installed by a licensed and trained participating HVAC contractor, and capable of heating and cooling the home year-round.
Choosing the Right Heat Pump for an Ontario Home
Ontario homes need equipment that can perform in cold weather. Cold climate heat pumps are designed to keep producing useful heat at low outdoor temperatures, which is why they are usually the right starting point for homes in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, Bowmanville, and nearby communities.
Ducted heat pumps can be a good fit when your home already has forced-air ductwork. Ductless mini-splits can work well for additions, older homes without ductwork, finished garages, bonus rooms, or homes where only part of the house needs targeted heating and cooling. Hybrid systems can pair a heat pump with a backup furnace when that design makes sense for comfort, cost, or fuel-source reasons.
What Determines Your Actual Rebate and Long-Term Savings
Two Durham Region homes can install nearly identical heat pumps and still end up with different rebate amounts and different monthly savings. The rebate side is driven by program factors — your baseline heating fuel, the rated heating capacity of the system, whether it is an air-source or ground source unit, and whether every documentation and approval step is completed in the right order. Because those variables move the number up or down, treat any figure you see online as a starting reference and confirm the current amount for your specific project before you buy.
Your long-term savings depend on the house as much as the equipment. A well-sealed, properly insulated home in Whitby or Bowmanville lets a right-sized heat pump run at lower output for longer, gentler cycles, which is where both efficiency and steady comfort come from. A leaky or under-insulated home forces the system — and any backup heat — to work harder on the coldest nights. Before committing, it is worth having the heating load calculated for your home rather than sizing from whatever furnace happens to be there now, since an oversized heat pump short-cycles and an undersized one leans too heavily on auxiliary heat during an Oshawa cold snap.
Local electricity and gas rates, how you use overnight temperature setbacks, and whether the system is designed with a sensible backup-heat strategy all influence how quickly the investment pays back. A licensed contractor who installs cold climate heat pumps across Durham Region every winter can model these factors for your home so the estimate reflects your actual situation instead of a general average.
How to Avoid Rebate Problems
Before signing a heat pump contract, confirm three things: the contractor can participate in the program, the proposed equipment appears on the current eligible product list, and the pre-installation application will be submitted before installation. Those checks are more important than relying on a general rebate estimate.
Also avoid treating the maximum rebate amount as guaranteed. Two homes can choose similar heat pumps and receive different rebate amounts because the program considers baseline heating fuel, rated heating capacity, system type, and eligibility documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ontario Heat Pump Rebates
How much can I get back for a heat pump in Ontario in 2026?
Eligible cold climate air-source heat pumps may qualify for up to $7,500, and eligible ground source heat pumps may qualify for up to $12,000. Enbridge natural gas homes generally have lower cold climate air-source heat pump rebate caps than electricity, oil, propane, or wood heated homes. Confirm the current program rules before purchase.
Do I need approval before installing the heat pump?
Yes. The heat pump stream requires a pre-installation application before the eligible equipment is installed. Installing first and applying afterward can put the rebate at risk.
Can a ductless mini-split qualify?
It can, if the system meets the program’s cold climate air-source heat pump requirements and the rest of the home, contractor, and application rules are satisfied. Rebate amounts are still based on program eligibility and system capacity.
Is a home energy assessment required?
Home Renovation Savings includes both bundled upgrades and single upgrades. Heat pumps are listed as a single-upgrade option, but some other rebate paths still require assessments. Check the current program path before starting.
Can I combine a heat pump rebate with other incentives?
Possibly, but combined funding cannot exceed eligible project costs and every program has its own rules. Confirm stacking rules with the program administrator before assuming multiple incentives will apply.
Will the rebate amounts still be the same when I apply?
Not necessarily. Rebate amounts, funding windows, eligible product lists, and application steps are all set by the program and can change over time. Always confirm the current amount and rules for your specific home and equipment through the official program before you sign a contract or install anything.
Get a Heat Pump Estimate in Durham Region
A heat pump can lower energy use and improve year-round comfort when the system is properly selected for the home. The rebate can help with the upfront cost, but the right equipment, sizing, and approval sequence matter just as much.
Fortis Heating & Air Conditioning serves Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, Bowmanville, Cobourg, and surrounding Durham Region communities. Call (289) 688-4822 to book a heat pump estimate and review which system options make sense for your home before you apply.
