Ontario Heat Pump Rebates 2026: Home Renovation Savings + Greener Homes Loan Explained

2026-03-12 · By Mohanad, Owner & Lead Technician, IKAD Mechanical · Rebates & Financing

Reviewed: 2026-05-21 · This article is reviewed periodically. Pricing and rebate amounts current as of the date shown.

The rebate landscape in Ontario shifted significantly in January 2025. Enbridge HER+ ended. The new Home Renovation Savings Program (HRS) replaced it, jointly delivered by Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy, and the rules are simpler and the rebates are bigger. Most Halton homeowners who installed a heat pump in 2024 missed money they could have claimed under the new program if they'd waited.

Here's exactly what's available in 2026 and how to stack it.

Home Renovation Savings Program (HRS) — Your Main 2026 Rebate

The Home Renovation Savings Program is the dominant residential HVAC rebate in Ontario for 2026. It launched January 28, 2025 and runs through May 31, 2026 for registration. Key facts:

• No energy audit required. The biggest single change from HER+. You don't need a pre-retrofit Energy Advisor visit (save $400–$600).
• Participating contractor required. Your installer must be registered with the program (we are).
• Direct deposit. Rebate is direct-deposited to your bank, no rebate card.
• Stackable with the Greener Homes Loan. You can claim HRS and finance the entire upgrade through the interest-free loan in the same project.

Heat Pump Rebate Amounts Under HRS (2026)

Equipment	Gas-Heated Home	Non-Gas-Heated Home
Air-source heat pump (cold-climate)	$500 / ton, up to $7,500	$1,250 / ton, up to $7,500
Ground-source (geothermal) heat pump	Up to $12,000	Up to $12,000
Heat pump water heater	$1,000	$1,000
Ductless / mini-split (single zone)	$1,000 base	$1,250 / ton
96%+ AFUE gas furnace	$250 (eligible only with simultaneous HP install or specific bundle)	N/A
Smart thermostat (Ecobee / Nest / Honeywell)	$75 – $100	$75 – $100

HRS Eligibility For Halton Homes

• You must own the home (rentals not eligible).
• The home must be your primary residence in Ontario.
• Equipment must meet the program's specific make/model list, we check this before quoting.
• Install must be done by a participating contractor.
• Registration must be submitted by May 31, 2026.

Canada Greener Homes Loan (Still Active)

• Interest-free loan up to $40,000
• 10-year repayment term, principal-only payments
• Eligible work: heat pumps, insulation, windows/doors, solar PV, on-site renewables, heat pump water heaters
• Still requires a registered Energy Advisor audit (different from HRS, this one's not waived)
• Applied through Natural Resources Canada portal
• You apply, get approved, do the work, get reimbursed (the loan amount), then make monthly payments

Real-World 2026 Stacking Example

A typical Halton homeowner doing a hybrid heat pump + new 96%+ furnace upgrade in 2026:

• Gross install cost: $18,500 (3-ton cold-climate heat pump + matched 80k BTU furnace + smart thermostat)
• HRS rebate (3-ton heat pump in gas-heated home): -$1,500
• HRS rebate (smart thermostat): -$100
• HRS rebate (gas furnace, bundled with HP install): -$250
• Manufacturer Lennox promo: -$500
• Energy Advisor audit (for Greener Homes Loan): +$525
• Greener Homes Loan: $16,675 financed at 0% over 10 years
• Net out-of-pocket today: ~$525
• Monthly loan payment: ~$139 for 10 years
• Estimated annual energy savings: $550–$900 on gas + electric combined

For most Halton homes, energy savings offset 50–80% of the monthly loan payment.

When You Still Need An Energy Advisor Audit

The HRS Program no longer requires the audit. But the Greener Homes Loan still does. So:

• If you're only claiming HRS: no audit needed, skip it.
• If you want both HRS and the Greener Homes Loan financing: get the audit. One audit unlocks both.
• If you're claiming HRS only and want to finance: use a private HVAC finance partner, no audit required.

Don't Forget The Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate

Most Halton homeowners overlook this one. A heat pump water heater (Rheem ProTerra, A.O. Smith Voltex) replacing an electric or gas tank gets a $1,000 HRS rebate plus may be eligible for Greener Homes Loan financing. Installed cost is typically $4,500–$6,500, so the rebate is meaningful. Compare with tankless in our cost guide.

Common Reasons HRS Claims Get Rejected

• Equipment not on the program's approved make/model list (always check before buying)
• Installer not registered as a participating contractor
• Rental property or non-primary residence
• Project registered after May 31, 2026 deadline
• Heat pump sized incorrectly (program audits some claims for proper Manual J sizing)

Municipal Programs Worth Asking About

• Town of Oakville: occasional clean-energy property-tax loan programs (Local Improvement Charge). Worth asking your municipality at quote stage.
• City of Burlington: Better Homes Burlington pilot program (limited availability)
• Halton Region: Climate Action Plan funding for specific neighborhoods

How To Actually Claim Your Rebates (Step by Step)

1. Get a quote from a participating contractor. We include rebate amounts in every quote.
2. Register the project on the Home Renovation Savings Program portal (we do this for you).
3. (Optional) Book an Energy Advisor audit if you want Greener Homes Loan financing.
4. Apply for the Greener Homes Loan through Natural Resources Canada if applicable.
5. Install the equipment with your participating contractor.
6. Submit the invoice and equipment serial numbers to the HRS Program portal (we file this).
7. Rebate direct-deposited within 4–8 weeks.

Want help figuring out exactly what your specific home and project qualifies for in 2026? Request a free quote or contact us, we'll walk you through every program that applies, register the project on your behalf, and handle the paperwork at install. See also our heat pump vs furnace comparison and our 2026 furnace cost guide for related decisions.

---

---

---