How to Qualify for HVAC Rebates in Ontario (2026 Guide)
If you're planning to upgrade your heating system in Ontario, there is one rebate program that actually matters for most homeowners: the Home Renovation Savings Program, delivered by Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy and backed by the Government of Ontario. It offers real money toward a qualifying cold-climate heat pump. There's also a separate federal program for oil-heated homes. Here's what's live in 2026, who qualifies, and how the process actually works.
At Imperial Heating, we install program-eligible heat pumps across Toronto and the GTA and give homeowners a straight, no-inflated-numbers read on what their home qualifies for.
The Program That Actually Matters: Ontario's Home Renovation Savings Program
This is Ontario's main heat pump rebate. It offers up to $7,500 on a qualifying cold-climate air-source heat pump and up to $12,000 on a ground-source (geothermal) heat pump. The exact amount depends on your home's current heating fuel and the size of the heat pump installed.
- Homes heated by oil, propane, or electricity qualify for the most — up to $7,500 for air-source, up to $12,000 for ground-source
- Homes heated by natural gas qualify for less — roughly up to $2,000
- A heat-pump water heater (ENERGY STAR) is eligible for $500
- A qualifying smart thermostat is eligible for $100
- Standard gas furnaces and standard central air conditioners are not rebated — the program is aimed at heat pumps and heat-pump water heaters
No home energy assessment is required for the heat pump itself when it's claimed as a single upgrade. (An assessment is required for some other measures, like insulation or windows, but not for a stand-alone heat pump.) The heat pump also has to be a cold-climate model on Natural Resources Canada's qualified products list.
Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program (OHPA)
OHPA is a separate federal program (not provincial) for homes currently heated by oil. It's income-tested and can provide up to $10,000 toward converting from oil to a qualifying heat pump, and it can be used alongside the Home Renovation Savings Program. Registration is winding down in 2026, so oil-heated homeowners should confirm current status before planning a project. Imperial Heating does not administer OHPA applications — check ohpa.ca for current details.
Who Actually Submits the Rebate Application?
This is the part most homeowners don't realize: the Home Renovation Savings heat-pump rebate has to be submitted by a contractor registered with the program, and it has to be pre-approved before installation begins. Not every HVAC company that installs a heat pump is registered to file that paperwork.
Imperial Heating installs high-efficiency, program-eligible cold-climate heat pumps and gives you an honest read on what your home qualifies for. Before you book with any installer — us included — confirm their current program-registration status directly with the Home Renovation Savings Program, since the rebate can only be filed by a contractor on that list. We also offer Enbridge Sustain $0-down financing as a separate way to make an upgrade affordable regardless of rebate timing.
Real-World Example: The Math
Take a typical GTA home converting from an aging gas furnace to a cold-climate heat pump:
- Heat pump installed cost: roughly $10,000–$14,000, depending on home size and equipment
- Home Renovation Savings Program rebate: up to $7,500 for oil, propane, or electric homes; roughly up to $2,000 for gas homes
- Net cost: for a gas-heated home, expect the rebate to cover a smaller slice; for an oil, propane, or electric home, it covers considerably more
Oil-heated homes may also be able to combine the Home Renovation Savings rebate with the separate federal OHPA program, which can meaningfully reduce net cost further — confirm income eligibility and current OHPA status before counting on it. Financing is also available to spread whatever's left after any rebate.
Program Timeline
The Home Renovation Savings Program is confirmed through November 30, 2026, but funding and terms can change or close earlier without notice — always confirm current status before planning a project. OHPA registration is winding down in 2026 and is oil-heated homes only.
What Systems Actually Qualify?
Under the current program, eligible upgrades are:
- Cold-climate air-source heat pumps (ductless mini-split or central)
- Ground-source (geothermal) heat pumps
- Heat-pump water heaters (ENERGY STAR)
- Smart thermostats
Standard gas furnaces and standard central air conditioners are not eligible, on their own, for a Home Renovation Savings rebate — no matter what upgrade you pair them with.
Common Questions About HVAC Rebates in Ontario
Q: Can I combine multiple rebates?
A: Generally, one home upgrade qualifies for one Home Renovation Savings rebate tier. The exception is oil-heated homes, which may be able to combine the provincial rebate with the separate federal OHPA program. Confirm current eligibility and amounts directly with each program before installation.
Q: What if I don't own my home? Do renters qualify?
A: The rebate program requires homeownership. Renters should check with their landlord, since the property owner is the one who applies.
Q: Who actually files the rebate paperwork?
A: A contractor registered with the Home Renovation Savings Program submits the application, and it must be approved before installation starts. Confirm your installer's program-registration status before you book — an unregistered contractor, however good the install, can't file the rebate for you.
Q: Do I have to pay upfront and wait for the rebate?
A: Yes, the rebate is paid out by the program after installation and final documentation — it isn't deducted at the point of sale. If you'd rather not carry the upfront cost, Imperial Heating offers Enbridge Sustain $0-down financing that spreads the cost over predictable monthly payments.
HVAC Rebates for Toronto and GTA Homeowners
The Home Renovation Savings Program is available to homeowners across Ontario, including Toronto, Scarborough, Mississauga, and Brampton — there's no geographic restriction within the province, though the amount you qualify for still depends on your home's current heating fuel.
Imperial Heating has installed program-eligible heat pumps for homeowners across Scarborough, North York, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Brampton, Ajax, and Aurora, and we'll give you a straight answer on what your specific home qualifies for — no inflated numbers. Call (647) 852-2359 for an honest assessment.
Get a Straight Answer on Your Rebate
Ready to look at a heat pump upgrade? Imperial Heating installs program-eligible cold-climate heat pumps and tells you honestly what the current Ontario rebate covers for your home — and reminds you to confirm any installer's program-registration status before you book, us included.
Book a free assessment, or call us at (647) 852-2359.
Explore our heat pump installation services or learn more about financing options to make your project affordable now.