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Rebate basics

6 min read · Updated October 2026 · Written by Kelvin Mechanical

Ontario Heat Pump Rebates Explained in Plain Language

A plain-language look at how Ontario's Home Renovation Savings program tends to work for heat pumps, what usually trips people up, and where to confirm current rules.

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Why Ontario offers heat pump rebates at all

Heating and cooling are among the largest energy uses in an Ontario home. Programs such as Home Renovation Savings exist to encourage upgrades that use energy more efficiently, ease demand on the electricity system and reduce greenhouse gas emissions over time. A rebate lowers the upfront cost, which is often the biggest hurdle for homeowners.

A heat pump moves heat instead of making it by burning fuel. Depending on what you heat with now, your home and the equipment chosen, that may mean lower energy use and lower emissions. It is not automatic, and results are not promised. A home with poor insulation or a poorly matched system will see less benefit.

Who may qualify, in plain terms

Rebate information on this site is Ontario-only. The program decides who qualifies, and rules can differ by property type, current heating fuel and the equipment installed. Expect the program to look at several things:

  • Where the property is: it needs to be in Ontario
  • Who owns the property and whether tenants live in it: Home Renovation Savings requires the applicant to own the home, and the owner applies where there are tenants
  • Your current heating system and fuel type
  • The equipment itself: qualifying models only, often as a matched indoor and outdoor set
  • The contractor, since for heat pumps Home Renovation Savings requires a participating HVAC contractor

Eligible Ontario customers may qualify for up to $7,500 depending on the program rules, equipment, property and funding available at the time. The amount can be lower, and some projects do not qualify. Confirm current rules with the program.

The usual route from first call to rebate

Some programs ask you to register or get approval before work starts: the Home Renovation Savings Program states that pre-approval is mandatory and that installations done before approval are not eligible. Do not assume you can apply afterward. Confirm the timing rule first.

  • Check the program's current page for eligibility, funding status and the list of qualifying equipment
  • Book a site review so the heat pump is sized with a load calculation and the install plan is realistic
  • Choose equipment on the qualifying list, and ask your contractor to confirm model numbers in writing and to submit any pre-approval or pre-installation application the program requires
  • Ask how the rebate will be handled: applied to the invoice, paid to you after approval, or paid through the contractor
  • Complete the installation only after any required approval, with permits and ESA notification where required for electrical work
  • Keep your records: signed quote, invoice, equipment model and serial numbers, photos and proof of address
  • After installation, follow the program's post-installation steps and wait for confirmation

Small details that cause delays or lost rebates

  • Buying a unit that looks the same but is not on the qualifying list
  • Starting work before a required approval or registration step
  • Missing or unclear photos and nameplate details
  • Names, addresses or invoices that do not match across documents
  • Funding closing or pausing while a project is in progress
  • Assuming the maximum amount applies to every home

Because funding is limited and programs can change or pause, never treat a rebate as certain. A written quote should say how a rebate is handled and what happens if it is declined.

How Kelvin Mechanical helps, and where our role stops

Kelvin Mechanical does not own or run the program, and we cannot approve a rebate. What we can do is help you review whether a project may line up with current Ontario requirements, size the system properly with a load calculation, put model numbers and scope in writing and keep installation records ready for your submission.

Start with the rebate eligibility page, or read the Heat Pump Selection Guide to decide on the type first. For project scope, see heat pump installation and ductless mini split installation. If you would like to spread the cost, see financing options. Any offer is subject to provider approval, terms and expiry.

Programs, amounts and deadlines can change without notice. Confirm current rules with the program before you sign a contract.

Help centre

Common questions

Does every home get the full amount?

No. The amount depends on the program rules, the equipment, the property and the funding available at the time. The top figure is a ceiling for eligible customers, not a promise for every project. Under the current Home Renovation Savings rules, homes heated with natural gas have a lower ceiling than homes heated with electricity, oil, propane or wood, and replacing an existing heat pump or installing one in a new-build home does not qualify.

Do I need to use a particular contractor?

For heat pumps, Home Renovation Savings requires a participating HVAC contractor, and the program publishes its list. Ask any contractor, including us, whether they take part and exactly how the rebate is handled on the invoice and paperwork.

Can a ductless mini split qualify?

It depends on whether the specific equipment is on the program's qualifying list. Check the model numbers with the program before you commit.

What happens if funding runs out before my project is done?

That is a real risk with any funded program. Ask about timing rules before work starts, and make sure your agreement says who pays if a rebate is not approved.

Will Kelvin Mechanical apply for the rebate for me?

We can help you prepare for it, with sizing, model numbers, scope and installation records. The program makes the eligibility decision. Ask us at quote time exactly which paperwork steps we handle.

Is there an Ontario heat pump rebate right now?

Programs such as Home Renovation Savings have supported heat pumps, but rules and funding change. Eligible Ontario customers may qualify for up to $7,500 on qualifying heat pump equipment, depending on the program rules, equipment, property and funding available at the time. Check the program's current page before you plan, and confirm the rules again before you sign.

Does my current heating fuel affect the rebate?

Yes. Under the current Home Renovation Savings rules, homes heated with natural gas have a lower maximum than homes heated with electricity, oil, propane or wood, and the amount is set per ton of rated capacity. The program decides, not the contractor. Tell the contractor what you heat with now, and check the program's current conditions for your fuel.

Can landlords get a heat pump rebate for a rental property?

Possibly. Under the current Home Renovation Savings rules the applicant must own the home, and where a home has tenants the owner applies; tenants cannot. Rules can also differ by type of building. Ask the program, not only the contractor, and confirm who is the applicant and who gets paid. Funding and rules can change before the project is complete.

Do I pay the full price first and wait for the rebate?

That depends on how the program handles payment. Some rebates are applied through the contractor and others are paid to the customer after approval, and timing is set by the program. Ask how it works on your quote and plan your budget as if the rebate may be delayed or not approved. Put the answer in writing.

How do I check that a heat pump qualifies for a rebate?

Ask the contractor for exact model numbers for the indoor and outdoor equipment, in writing, then check them against the program's current qualifying list yourself. A look-alike model may not qualify, and matched sets often matter. Do this before you sign. Qualifying lists and conditions can change.

Which documents should I keep for a heat pump rebate?

Keep the signed quote, the final invoice, model and serial numbers, photos of the nameplates, proof of address and any permit or inspection records. Names and addresses should match across documents. Follow the program's submission steps and deadlines. Missing details are a common cause of delay, so check the list before work finishes.

Are new-build homes eligible for the Ontario heat pump rebate?

No. The program says new build homes do not qualify, meaning homes that have been occupied for six months or less. If you are building or buying new, ask your builder what is included in the price. Programs and funding can change, so confirm the rules on the program help page at the time you apply.

Quote and booking

Check my rebate eligibility

Share a few details and we will follow up. A written quote comes after a site review. There is no online checkout.

  • City and service type help us route your request
  • Urgency and property details let us prepare properly
  • Optional equipment photos speed up repairs and replacements

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