Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the new National Heat Pump Rebate on October 8, 2026, part of the federal campaign for one million home energy retrofits. Here’s what has been published so far, and what it means if you’re in Ontario.
The key facts
- $2,000 per household, or up to $10,000 for low- to median-income households.
- No energy audit before or after installation.
- Covers eligible heat pumps installed on or after November 1, 2026.
- Applications open on a federal online portal in early 2027: you upload your receipts after the install.
- Eligibility confirmed within 24 hours, and the rebate paid by direct deposit within 5 days.
- The program is backed by $2 billion over eight years.
Full details, including the exact eligibility criteria, the income thresholds and the list of eligible heat pumps, are published from November 1, 2026. We’ll update this guide when they are.
Why it covers installs before the portal opens
About one million home heating systems are replaced in Canada every year, and nearly 80% of those replacements happen because a system fails unexpectedly. Making the rebate retroactive to November 1 means a household whose furnace dies this winter can install a heat pump right away and still claim once applications open.
Can I combine it with Ontario’s rebate?
Ontario’s Home Renovation Savings program already pays up to $7,500 for a cold-climate air source heat pump and up to $12,000 for ground source, depending on how your home is heated. The federal stacking rules haven’t been published yet. Until they are, plan on the Ontario amount and treat the federal rebate as a likely addition, which is how our estimator shows it.
One thing is certain: Ontario’s heat pump rebate requires pre-approval before installation. If you’re planning a heat pump, start that process before you book the install.
Should I wait?
If your system is working, there’s no need to rush, but there’s also no reason to wait past November 1: installs from that date are covered. If your furnace or air conditioner is near the end of its life, now is a good time to get a consultant’s view on sizing and rebates, so you’re not deciding in a hurry when it fails.
Other federal programs
- Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program: no-cost retrofits for low- to median-income homeowners and tenants through provincial partners. As of October 2026 it isn’t available in Ontario.
- Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program: support for households switching from oil heat.
- The Canada Greener Homes Grant and Loan have closed to new applicants.
Sources: canada.ca, One million home energy retrofits, and federal announcement coverage, October 2026.