Before you replace a furnace this fall, I’d check the rebates attached to the quote. Better Homes Ottawa has higher published heat-pump incentives, selected HRSP offers have changed, and federal direct OHPA applications have closed.
Those updates matter. My starting point is still the heating system your home needs. A rebate should help you compare suitable options. The equipment has to make sense long after the application is finished.
One distinction is especially important when discussing furnace rebates: HRSP can support the eligible heat pump in a hybrid system. The gas furnace itself does not receive that heat-pump rebate.
Jump to the questions about eligibility and installation.
Start with the equipment you actually need
If your air conditioner is also getting older, ask us for two prices: a straightforward furnace replacement and a compatible furnace-and-heat-pump system. That comparison shows what you are spending on the complete installation and what any eligible incentive changes.
Our furnace installation team checks airflow, electrical capacity and controls alongside equipment selection. Keeping manufacturer promotions and contractor discounts separate shows which savings are already in the price and which depend on approval.
Where ComfortSpan belongs in that conversation
An uncomfortable upstairs bedroom or finished basement deserves attention during this decision. AirZone ComfortSpan™ combines central ducted heating and cooling with up to four additional ductless zones. We can address those spaces while keeping central airflow within the ductwork’s limits.
There can be a rebate benefit when the home’s calculated load supports more eligible capacity. At the Enbridge gas rate, two eligible tons illustrate $1,000; three illustrate $1,500. The approved heating capacity at 8.3°C and program limits determine the amount. For me, the first question is whether those extra zones solve a real comfort problem.
Which rebate figures have actually changed?
The current HRSP air-source heat-pump purchase rates remain $500 per ton, up to $2,000, for eligible Enbridge gas-heated homes, and $1,250 per ton, up to $7,500, for eligible electricity-, oil-, propane- or wood-heated homes. Rental rates differ. The $12,000 headline maximum applies to qualifying purchased ground-source systems in the non-gas category.
The official HRSP website now advertises $125 for eligible thermostats and up to $1,250 for no-assessment attic insulation. Some linked thermostat terms still show $100 for general applicants, so confirm the application amount before buying.
A heat pump water heater still has a $500 offer through an assessment bundle requiring two qualified measures. The separate $500 bonus needs three assessment-stream upgrades and a final assessment dated January 5, 2026 or later. A furnace and space-heating heat pump do not count toward that bonus. Our HRSP guide explains those distinctions.
Better Homes Ottawa deserves another look
For eligible loan participants, the City now lists $700 per ton for central and mini/multi-split cold-climate air-source heat pumps, $1,000 per ton for ground-source systems, and $5 per metre for eligible wells or horizontal loops.
There is also a limited-time $600 loan reduction toward assessment costs after completion. You cannot receive it alongside HRSP’s $600 assessment rebate. Check that before adding both amounts to your renovation budget.
The loan remains 4.33% fixed over 20 years, with a 4% administrative charge. Gas furnaces are excluded. Get the City’s Notice to Proceed before incurring eligible costs, and confirm the incentive in writing because some linked documents retain older figures. We explain the process in our Better Homes Ottawa article.
Two deadline details that need a closer look
Federal direct OHPA applications closed July 31, 2026. Timely applications continue to be processed. Ontario has separate delivery arrangements, so existing applicants need their own administrator’s instructions. Our OHPA update links to the federal notice.
For HRSP assessment bundles, the final audit must be booked and entered in the program system by November 30, 2026. It must take place within 180 days of the initial audit or by December 31, whichever comes first. The no-assessment attic stream requires installation by November 30.
Those rules do not establish a universal November 30 heat-pump cutoff. My advice is to confirm the deadline for your actual application and obtain the required written approval before installation. Do not make a purchase plan depend on an unconfirmed 2027 extension.
My advice before you sign
When comparing furnace installation near you, ask for a quote that separates the full installed price from savings that still need approval. You should know what you are buying and what you are committing to pay. Our furnace rebate guide and current rebates page provide more background.
If you’re comparing options in Ottawa, Kanata, Stittsville, Nepean, Barrhaven or Orléans, tell us what needs replacing and which rooms need attention. We can review furnace, hybrid and ComfortSpan options with you.
Questions to clear up before installation
Are there furnace rebates near me?
For an Ottawa home, HRSP can support eligible heat-pump equipment in a hybrid system. It does not rebate the gas furnace itself. We can also review any current manufacturer or AirZone promotions.
Can ComfortSpan qualify for HRSP?
Potentially, if your home and matched equipment meet the current rules. Replacing an existing space-heating heat pump is excluded. Written pre-installation approval is required.
Does ComfortSpan automatically mean a bigger rebate?
No. A higher rebate depends on a properly sized design with more eligible rated heating capacity, subject to the program’s rate and maximum for your heating fuel.
Do I need a new furnace to qualify for a hybrid rebate?
Not necessarily. Eligible natural gas and propane systems may use a compatible existing or new furnace. We review the system before quoting a replacement.
Do I need an energy audit?
HRSP’s space-heating heat-pump stream does not require one. Better Homes Ottawa requires assessments, and HRSP heat pump water heaters follow a separate assessment bundle.
Can I combine HRSP and Better Homes Ottawa savings?
Confirm the specific measures and stacking rules with both administrators. You cannot receive both programs’ $600 assessment support for the same project.
Can I install my heat pump before rebate approval?
No. HRSP requires written pre-installation approval. Have us verify your application status before proceeding with the eligible installation.
Does HRSP end on November 30, 2026?
The published November 30 requirements apply to specific streams; they do not establish a universal heat-pump closing date. Follow your application’s deadlines and do not assume a 2027 extension.
Program details checked September 28, 2026 against the HRSP heat-pump offer, HRSP assessment and bonus guidance, stream terms and deadlines, Better Homes Ottawa and federal OHPA notice. Funding, eligibility and approvals remain subject to administrator rules.
