How to Apply for the National Heat Pump Rebate (What We Know So Far)
Short answer: you can't apply yet. The National Heat Pump Rebate was announced October 8, 2026, and the portal is not open; CBC reported it begins early next year (2027). When it opens, the government says you'll apply online before installing, get approval within 24 hours, install an eligible heat pump, upload receipts, and receive payment by direct deposit (approved within 5 days). No energy audit is required. Amounts: up to $10,000 if your household is below the median income, $2,000 otherwise. Estimate your total.
Confirmed vs. not yet published
| Item | Status | What the government says |
|---|---|---|
| Amount (below median income) | ✅ Confirmed | Up to $10,000 |
| Amount (other eligible homeowners) | ✅ Confirmed | $2,000 |
| Equipment | ✅ Confirmed | Electric cold-climate air-source heat pump on the Eligible Products List (100,000+ options) |
| Energy audit | ✅ Confirmed | Not required, before or after |
| Approval speed | ✅ Confirmed | Within 24 hours |
| Payment | ✅ Confirmed | Receipts via portal; approved within 5 days; direct deposit |
| Limit | ✅ Confirmed | One rebate per person |
| Stacking | ✅ Confirmed | Can be combined with existing provincial programs (PMO) |
| Launch date | ⏳ Not published | CBC: early next year |
| Median income thresholds | ⏳ Not published | CBC: median after-tax income in your province |
| Income definition and tax year | ⏳ Not published | |
| Portal URL | ⏳ Not published | Beware of look-alike sites |
| Eligible Products List | ⏳ Not published | |
| Renters, condos, new builds | ⏳ Not published | |
| Off-grid/remote eligibility | ⏳ Not published |
The expected process, step by step
1. Check you're likely eligible. The program targets homeowners replacing a heating system that broke down or is near end of life. CBC reported it covers replacing natural gas, oil, propane, diesel and electric systems as well as existing heat pumps.
2. Gather basic information. The backgrounder says the application asks only for basic personal information and details of the eligible heat pump you wish to purchase. Expect to need the exact model, so get a quote first.
3. Get a quote for an eligible model. Ask your installer for the indoor and outdoor model numbers and confirm they're on the Eligible Products List once it's published. Request quotes.
4. Apply in the online portal and get approval. The government says approval comes within 24 hours. Do not install before you're approved.
5. Buy and install. The government says a heat pump "can be installed as quickly as a furnace."
6. Upload receipts. After installation, submit receipts in the portal. Payment is approved within five days and sent by direct deposit.
7. Apply for provincial rebates too. Provincial programs have their own rules and often their own pre-approval. Apply to both before installing where required. See your province: BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, NWT, Nunavut.
Below or above the median: which tier are you?
The thresholds aren't published. CBC describes the test as household income below the median after-tax income in your province. Until the government publishes the figures and income definition, any site quoting a specific cut-off is guessing. We'll update this page when official numbers are out.
My furnace died before the program opens. What now?
That's the hard case. Options to discuss with an installer: - A repair or temporary heat to bridge to the launch. - Using a provincial program that's open now (e.g., BC, Quebec, NL). - Whether the federal program will accept installs done before launch is not published; don't assume it will.
See the furnace-died checklist.
Avoid scams
- The real portal will be on a canada.ca or gc.ca address.
- The government won't call you asking for your SIN to "reserve" a rebate.
- This website is not a government site; we can't submit your application.
How this compares with the previous federal program
The National Heat Pump Rebate follows the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) program. Differences, based on official pages:
| Oil to Heat Pump Affordability | National Heat Pump Rebate | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Oil-heated homes, median income or less | Homes replacing many heating types (CBC: gas, oil, propane, diesel, electric, heat pump) |
| Amount | Up to $10,000 federal; up to $25,000 where co-delivered with provinces | Up to $10,000 below median; $2,000 otherwise |
| Status | Closed July 31, 2026 for AB, MB, NT, QC, SK | Announced; not yet open |
| Grid | Integrated grid required; Nunavut and remote areas ineligible | Not yet published |
| Stacking | Can be combined with other programs (NRCan) | Can be combined with provincial programs (PMO) |
If you applied to OHPA before the deadline, NRCan says applications submitted before the deadline continue to be processed.
Documents to have ready
The government hasn't published a document list. Based on what the backgrounder says the application asks for (basic personal information and details of the heat pump), sensible preparation is: - Your installer's written quote with exact model numbers. - Proof of ownership of the home (many programs ask; not confirmed for NHPR). - Your most recent Notice of Assessment, in case income verification uses tax data (not confirmed). - Bank details for direct deposit. - Records of your current heating system (age, fuel, any failure diagnosis).
Provincial pre-approval timing
| Province | Pre-approval needed before install? | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario (HRS) | Yes, mandatory | homerenovationsavings.ca |
| BC (CleanBC ESP) | Yes, pre-register for eligibility code | betterhomesbc.ca |
| Nova Scotia (HEA/MIR) | Yes, Efficiency NS pre-approval | Efficiency NS guide |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Yes, pre-approval; participating installer | takechargenl.ca |
| Manitoba (ASHP) | Contractor submits within 90 days after install | efficiencymb.ca |
| Quebec (LogisVert) | Check program guide; failure replacements excluded | hydroquebec.com |
See also: median income by province (pending), furnace replacement rebates, oil to heat pump guide.
FAQ
When can I apply for the National Heat Pump Rebate?
Not yet. No official date has been published; CBC reported early 2027.
How much will I get?
Up to $10,000 if your household is below the median income, otherwise $2,000.
Do I need an EnerGuide evaluation?
No. The government says no pre- or post-installation energy audits are required.
Can I combine it with my provincial rebate?
The Prime Minister's announcement says yes. Provincial rules still apply.