If you're planning to install a heat pump in Ottawa this year, the good news is that generous rebates are still on the table — but the programs have changed significantly. The federal grant that made headlines for years has closed, and a new set of provincial and federal incentives has taken its place. This 2026 guide explains exactly what Ottawa homeowners can claim, how much, and how to stack the programs for maximum savings.
First, the Big Change: The Canada Greener Homes Grant Has Closed
For several years, the Canada Greener Homes Grant offered up to $5,000 toward heat pumps and other energy upgrades. That program is now closed — new applications ended in 2025 and the final post-retrofit evaluation deadline passed on December 1, 2025. If you've read older articles promising the "Greener Homes Grant," they're out of date. The important thing for 2026 is that the money didn't disappear — it moved into newer, often larger programs.
Your Main 2026 Rebate: Ontario's Home Renovation Savings Program
The centrepiece for Ottawa homeowners is the Home Renovation Savings Program (HRS), delivered by Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy with support from the Government of Ontario. It succeeded the old Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) and is confirmed to run through November 2026. For an air-source heat pump, the rebate depends on how your home is currently heated:
- Natural gas homes (Enbridge customers): $500 per ton, up to $2,000
- Electric, oil, propane or wood-heated homes: $1,250 per ton, up to $7,500
- Ground-source (geothermal) systems: up to $12,000 for non-gas homes
One of the best features for homeowners is that a heat pump counts as a single-measure upgrade, so no pre-retrofit energy audit is required — you simply work with a registered contractor. To qualify, you generally must own a low-rise residential home (detached, semi, townhouse or mobile on a permanent foundation) connected to Enbridge Gas or the Ontario electricity grid. Dtech is happy to confirm your eligibility and manage the application. See our current rebate programs page for the latest details.
For Oil-Heated Homes: Up to $15,000 With the OHPA Grant
If your Ottawa home still runs on an oil furnace — common in rural areas like Manotick, Greely, and the edges of Kanata and Stittsville — the federal Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) program is the most valuable incentive available. It provides substantial funding (commonly in the $10,000–$15,000 range) to replace oil heat with a cold-climate heat pump, for households that meet a median-income requirement. Critically, the OHPA grant can be stacked on top of the Ontario Home Renovation Savings rebate, dramatically reducing your out-of-pocket cost.
Interest-Free Financing: The Canada Greener Homes Loan
Even after rebates, a heat pump is a meaningful investment — which is where the Canada Greener Homes Loan comes in. This federal program offers interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to help finance eligible retrofits, repaid over up to 10 years. Combined with rebates, it lets many Ottawa homeowners upgrade with little or no upfront cost. Dtech also offers our own flexible financing options if you'd prefer to keep it simple.
How Much Can You Actually Save? A Real Example
Consider a typical Ottawa homeowner replacing an aging oil furnace in a detached Barrhaven or Kanata home with a 3-ton cold-climate heat pump:
- Ontario Home Renovation Savings rebate (oil home): up to $7,500
- Federal Oil to Heat Pump Affordability grant: up to $15,000
- Remaining balance financed interest-free via the Greener Homes Loan
In this scenario, incentives can cover the majority of the project cost — and the homeowner also eliminates expensive oil deliveries and gains whole-home air conditioning. Even gas-heated homes, which see smaller rebates, benefit from lower operating costs and added cooling. For a full cost breakdown, read our guide on heat pump installation costs in Ottawa.
How to Qualify: A Step-by-Step Overview
- Confirm your current heating source — it determines your rebate tier (gas vs. electric/oil).
- Choose eligible, program-registered equipment — a cold-climate heat pump that meets the program's efficiency requirements.
- Work with a registered contractor — Dtech installs qualifying systems and completes the required documentation.
- Submit your rebate application — we handle the HRS paperwork; oil-heated homeowners also apply to OHPA.
- Receive your rebate — funds are issued after the installation and verification are complete.
Common Mistakes That Cost Ottawa Homeowners Their Rebate
- Buying equipment that isn't program-registered — always confirm eligibility before you install.
- Chasing the closed Greener Homes Grant — focus on the programs that are actually active in 2026.
- Using an unregistered installer — rebates require a participating contractor's documentation.
- Under-sizing or over-sizing the system — a proper heat-loss calculation protects both comfort and eligibility.
Ready to Claim Your 2026 Heat Pump Rebate?
Dtech Services installs cold-climate heat pumps and cold-climate systems across Ottawa and the surrounding region — including Kanata and Stittsville — and we handle your rebate paperwork from start to finish. We're a BBB A+ accredited, licensed team rated 4.9★ across 125 reviews. Contact us for a free in-home assessment and we'll show you exactly which rebates your home qualifies for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Canada Greener Homes Grant still available in Ottawa in 2026?
No. The federal Canada Greener Homes Grant closed to new applicants in 2025, with the final post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation deadline on December 1, 2025. Ottawa homeowners looking for heat pump money in 2026 should focus on Ontario's Home Renovation Savings Program, the federal Oil to Heat Pump Affordability grant, and the interest-free Canada Greener Homes Loan.
How much is the Ontario heat pump rebate in 2026?
Through the Home Renovation Savings Program (delivered by Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy), an air-source heat pump earns $500 per ton up to $2,000 for natural-gas-heated homes, or $1,250 per ton up to $7,500 for homes heated by electricity, oil, propane or wood. Ground-source (geothermal) systems can qualify for up to $12,000. The program is confirmed to run through November 2026.
Do I need an energy audit to get the heat pump rebate?
Not for a stand-alone heat pump. Under the Home Renovation Savings Program, a heat pump qualifies as a single-measure upgrade, so no pre-retrofit energy assessment is required — you work directly with a registered installing contractor like Dtech. If you plan to bundle other upgrades such as insulation or windows, an assessment may be needed for those measures.
Can I stack multiple heat pump rebates in Ottawa?
Yes, in many cases. Oil-heated homeowners can combine the federal Oil to Heat Pump Affordability grant (up to $15,000) with the Ontario Home Renovation Savings rebate, and can finance the remaining cost with the interest-free Canada Greener Homes Loan (up to $40,000). Dtech helps you confirm which programs you qualify for and handles the paperwork.
Who qualifies for the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability grant?
The federal Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) program is for homeowners who currently heat their primary residence with oil and meet the median household income requirement. It provides substantial funding (commonly $10,000–$15,000) to replace an oil furnace with a cold-climate heat pump. Rural Ottawa properties still on oil are strong candidates.
