Home Renovation Savings: current rebates and 2026 deadlines
For an Ottawa HVAC project, the key HRSP offers are qualifying space-heating heat pumps, heat pump water heaters and compatible smart thermostats. Each follows its own rebate rules.
The official website now advertises a $125 smart-thermostat rebate and up to $1,250 for no-assessment attic insulation. The space-heating heat-pump rates shown below remain unchanged in the current public offer.
AirZone helps you compare the equipment, approval steps and timing before installation. Do not assume every upgrade qualifies for the largest amount—or that the program will automatically continue into 2027.
The rebate depends on fuel, equipment and ownership
HRSP is delivered by Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy, with support from the Ontario government. Its space-heating heat-pump stream does not require a home energy assessment, but written pre-installation approval is mandatory.
| Existing primary heating / ownership | Cold-climate air-source heat pump | Ground-source heat pump |
|---|---|---|
| Enbridge natural gas; purchased equipment | $500 per ton, up to $2,000 | $3,000 |
| Electricity, oil, propane or wood; purchased equipment | $1,250 per ton, up to $7,500 | $2,000 per ton, up to $12,000 |
| Rental equipment; eligible listed heating fuels | $500 per ton, up to $2,000 | $3,000 |
For air-source systems, the rebate is calculated from qualifying rated heating capacity at 8.3°C (47°F). Ground-source capacity is assessed under the program’s separate rules. A model’s marketed tonnage is not a substitute for checking the approved system data.
For example, an approved 3-ton air-source system would calculate to $1,500 in the Enbridge gas purchase category or $3,750 in the eligible non-gas purchase category. These examples assume qualifying capacity and all program conditions—not just a 3-ton label on the equipment.
Check the home and complete system
Homeowner and property
- The property owner applies; a tenant cannot apply on the owner’s behalf.
- Gas-heated homes need an active Enbridge residential account. Eligible non-gas homes need the required Ontario electricity-grid connection.
- The residence and occupancy must meet the stream rules; newly built homes with six months or less occupancy do not qualify under the public offer.
- Replacing an existing space-heating heat pump is not eligible under the linked heat-pump requirements.
Cornwall Electric customers are not on the IESO-controlled grid; the heat-pump page identifies an exception for homes primarily heated by Enbridge natural gas.
Equipment and installation
- Use a participating HRSP HVAC contractor and an active eligible product listing.
- Check the outdoor and indoor equipment combination, AHRI information, sizing and controls.
- The system must meet the program’s whole-home heat-distribution requirements; a single-room comfort upgrade is not automatically eligible.
- Obtain written approval before installation and complete the post-installation submission.
New contractor registration is currently open. This does not remove the requirement to use a participating contractor.
A furnace or cooling-only air conditioner does not receive a standalone rebate under this heat-pump offer. Natural gas and eligible propane homes can be assessed for a compatible hybrid setup, but the backup furnace itself is not an eligible heat-pump measure.
Oil conversions have additional fuel-transition and tank-attestation requirements. We review those before recommending equipment or backup heat; the same configuration will not qualify for every heating fuel.
Follow the approval sequence
Confirm the project fits
Review the existing fuel, home, equipment list and complete system design with a participating contractor. Check eligibility before making a binding commitment.
Prepare the pre-installation file
The contractor submits the itemized work order, signed participant agreement, existing-equipment photos, sizing information and any required oil/propane tank attestation.
Wait for written approval
Both the homeowner and contractor need the administrator’s pre-installation approval before installation. An estimate, intake form or appointment is not that approval.
Complete the work and final submission
The linked requirements call for the contractor’s post-installation application within 30 days of installation, with the final invoice, installed-equipment photos and required details.
The program’s public guidance estimates a mailed rebate cheque within 60 days after the post-installation application is approved. Pre-approval alone does not guarantee payment if the completed project fails to meet the terms.
A heat pump water heater uses a different HRSP pathway
$500 heat pump water heater rebate
The assessment stream lists $500 for an eligible heat pump water heater installed as part of a qualifying bundle. Begin with an approved pre-renovation energy assessment and complete at least two qualified assessment-stream measures, followed by the final assessment.
The replacement must meet the applicable existing water-heating fuel rules and eligible-product requirements. A standard gas tank, gas tankless water heater or electric resistance tank is not a heat pump water heater.
$600 assessment rebate
Successful completion of the qualifying assessment pathway can include $600 toward the initial and final assessments. It is paid after completion, not simply for booking an audit.
The official guidance limits this assessment rebate to once per participant, per home over the life of HRSP. It is not an automatic extra payment for a standalone space-heating heat pump.
The published assessment-stream caps are $5,000 for eligible Enbridge gas-heated homes and $10,000 for eligible electricity-, oil-, propane- or wood-heated homes, including the assessment payment. These are separate from the heat-pump stream’s rate table.
Smart thermostats: $125 advertised
The official HRSP thermostat page now advertises $125, available through its eligible before-purchase or after-purchase routes. Check the exact model, prior participation and compatibility with your system before buying.
Before purchase
Use the official offer page to obtain the eligible discount code and confirm the retailer or manufacturer checkout process. Do not also apply for a post-purchase rebate on the same thermostat.
After purchase
Use the official post-purchase application and submit the receipt within 60 days of purchase. Installation and Wi-Fi setup are part of the requirements; confirm the current terms for your model.
The linked terms currently require eligible purchase, installation and activation by December 31, 2026. That thermostat deadline is separate from the November assessment and attic deadlines.
Other HRSP offers to keep in context
AirZone’s focus is heating, cooling, hot water and controls. Homeowners planning a wider renovation can also review the following offers with the appropriate participating contractor or energy advisor.
| Upgrade | Published amount | Pathway / qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Attic insulation without an assessment | Up to $1,250 | A participating insulation contractor is required. The rebate is limited by eligible cost and insulation levels; it is not a flat payment. |
| Insulation in the assessment bundle | Up to $7,700 across eligible insulation measures | Two or more qualified assessment-stream upgrades are required. Fuel-specific overall assessment caps can reduce the amount available. |
| Windows and doors | $100 per qualifying rough opening | Assessment-bundle minimums and product rules apply. |
| Air sealing | Up to $250 | Must achieve the assessment’s required airtightness target. |
| Solar panels and battery storage | Up to $10,000 | Separate no-assessment offer with its own approval and technical rules. |
| Eligible appliances | Up to $200 | Only listed products qualify. This is not an HVAC equipment rebate. |
The official homepage displays the no-assessment attic maximum increasing from $1,000 to $1,250. That increase is not an increase to the heat-pump rebate and should not be added to a heat-pump-only quote.
What November 30 actually means
November 30, 2026 is a real deadline in specified HRSP streams. It is not established in the reviewed public documents as the closing date for every HRSP offer. The required action depends on the upgrade.
| Stream | Required action | Published timing |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment bundles, including heat pump water heaters | Schedule the post-renovation assessment and have it entered in the program tracking system. | By November 30, 2026. |
| Assessment bundles: completing the final audit | Complete the post-renovation assessment after the qualified work. | Within 180 days of the initial assessment or by December 31, 2026, whichever comes first. |
| No-assessment attic insulation | Finish the qualifying installation; the contractor then enters the required installation documentation. | Installation by November 30, 2026; documentation entered by December 31, 2026. |
| Smart thermostats | Eligible purchase, installation and activation; submit a post-purchase claim on time if using that route. | December 31, 2026 under the linked terms; post-purchase application within 60 days of purchase. |
| Space-heating heat pumps | Obtain written pre-approval before installing and follow all application conditions. | No universal November 30 closing date is stated in the reviewed heat-pump offer and linked terms. The post-installation submission is due within 30 days of installation. |
Sources: assessment eligibility requirements, attic-stream requirements, thermostat terms and heat-pump requirements.
Keep approvals, loan funding and operating costs separate
HRSP may be coordinated with eligible support from other funding organizations, but it cannot duplicate another Enbridge Gas, Save on Energy or Ontario-government incentive for the same measure. Permitted heat-pump incentives cannot exceed the eligible supply-and-installation cost.
October 8, 2026 update: The newly announced National Heat Pump Rebate is separate from HRSP and is not open for applications yet. Its published amounts do not change the HRSP rates on this page. Provincial stacking was announced, but the applicable Ontario combination and total still need confirmation.
If you are also considering Better Homes Ottawa financing, follow both application sequences and disclose other funding. Its $600 assessment reduction cannot be combined with HRSP’s separate $600 assessment rebate.
A heat pump can offer useful heating and cooling flexibility, but lower energy bills are not guaranteed. For gas-heated homes in particular, compare current utility prices, controls and the operating strategy rather than assuming electric heat will always cost less.
AirZone can compare a heat-pump installation, a hybrid arrangement or a furnace replacement based on the home’s needs and timing.
HRSP questions before you book
Did HRSP increase its heat-pump rebates in September 2026?
The current official heat-pump amounts match the rates in the table on this page. The official homepage advertises increases to the smart-thermostat and no-assessment attic-insulation offers. Those changes should not be described as a general increase in heat-pump rebates.
How much can an Enbridge gas-heated home receive for an air-source heat pump?
Eligible purchased cold-climate air-source equipment is listed at $500 per ton, up to $2,000. The home, matched equipment, contractor, approved capacity and application must meet the program rules.
What is the rebate for electricity-, oil-, propane- or wood-heated homes?
Eligible purchased cold-climate air-source heat pumps are listed at $1,250 per ton, up to $7,500. Qualifying purchased ground-source systems are listed at $2,000 per ton, up to $12,000. Rental equipment uses a different rate.
Does a heat-pump installation need an energy audit?
The HRSP space-heating heat-pump stream does not require an energy assessment, but it does require written pre-installation approval through a participating contractor. Other programs, including Better Homes Ottawa, may separately require assessments.
Can I claim the $500 heat pump water heater rebate on its own?
Not as a standalone measure under the assessment bundle described here. Start with the required assessment, complete at least two qualified assessment-stream measures, and complete the final assessment and documentation.
Do a space-heating heat pump and water heater qualify for the $500 multi-upgrade bonus?
No. The bonus requires three or more qualifying assessment-stream measures. A qualifying heat pump water heater can count as one; the separate space-heating heat-pump stream does not count toward that total. The qualifying final assessment must be dated January 5, 2026 or later.
Is the thermostat rebate definitely $125 for every applicant?
The live offer page advertises $125, but the linked January 2026 terms still show eligibility-specific amounts. Check the amount offered in your application and the current model requirements before purchasing.
Does HRSP end on November 30, 2026?
November 30 is a scheduling and tracking-system deadline for the assessment bundle and an installation deadline for the no-assessment attic stream. The reviewed heat-pump documents do not establish it as a universal HRSP closing date. Do not assume an extension or continued availability in 2027.
When must an assessment-bundle project be finished?
The final assessment must be completed within 180 days of the initial assessment or by December 31, 2026, whichever is earlier. It must also be scheduled and entered in the administrator’s tracking system by November 30, 2026.
Can I replace an existing heat pump and claim HRSP?
The linked heat-pump stream requirements exclude replacement of an existing space-heating heat-pump system. Ask the participating contractor to check the existing equipment and current rules before relying on a rebate.
Can I keep my furnace with a new heat pump?
A compatible hybrid configuration can qualify in eligible gas- or propane-heated homes, subject to the system and sizing rules. The furnace itself is not a separate eligible heat-pump measure. Oil-heated homes have different transition and tank requirements.
Can HRSP and another program pay for the same upgrade?
Stacking is conditional. HRSP does not permit another Enbridge Gas, Save on Energy or Ontario-government incentive for the same heat-pump measure. Where another funding source is allowed, the combined incentives cannot exceed eligible supply-and-installation costs. Disclose all funding. The separate National Heat Pump Rebate announced October 8, 2026 is not open yet. Provincial stacking was announced, but the applicable Ontario combination and total have not been confirmed.
Can AirZone guarantee approval or reserve a future rebate?
No. A quote or consultation does not reserve a rebate. The administrator determines eligibility and approval under the current terms, and any required pre-installation approval must be obtained before work begins.
Choose the right system—and the right rebate sequence
Tell AirZone what heats your home today, what needs replacing and when you need the work completed. We will help you compare a practical installation plan with the program requirements.
Published information checked September 28, 2026. Amounts are conditional and subject to equipment, capacity, ownership, existing fuel, application approval, funding and current program terms. This page does not guarantee a rebate or a 2027 extension. AirZone is an HVAC contractor; Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy determine program eligibility and approval.
