Heat Pump Rebates in Ontario: How to Stack Them

A cold-climate heat pump is one of the upgrades Ontario's efficiency programs most want to encourage, so it is also where rebates can add up — sometimes from more than one program at once. But rebate programs open, close, and change their amounts frequently, so this guide focuses on the stable part: which programs to look at, who tends to qualify, and how the stacking and application process works. It deliberately states no dollar amounts, because those change and must be confirmed on the official program sites.

The two main Ontario programs for heat pumps

• Home Renovation Savings Program (HRSP) — an Ontario program delivered through Save on Energy, offering rebates on qualifying energy-efficiency upgrades including eligible heat pumps. Check the official Save on Energy site for current eligible equipment and amounts.
• Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) — a program for eligible Enbridge Gas customers supporting efficiency upgrades. Confirm current details on Enbridge's official program page.
• These two can often stack, meaning an eligible heat-pump installation may draw support from both — subject to each program's current rules.

How stacking generally works

• Stacking means combining support from more than one program for the same eligible upgrade — each program has its own rules on whether and how it can be combined.
• There is usually a required sequence — for many programs a pre-upgrade home energy assessment or pre-approval must happen BEFORE you buy or install, or the work will not qualify.
• Programs typically require program-eligible equipment (a heat pump meeting specific efficiency criteria) and sometimes a participating contractor.
• Confirm the stacking rules on each program's official site before assuming two rebates combine — the rules change.

How to apply (general process)

• Start on the official program websites (Save on Energy for HRSP, Enbridge for HER+) and read the current eligibility and eligible-equipment lists.
• Check whether a pre-upgrade home energy assessment or pre-approval is required — and complete it first if so, because doing the work out of order can disqualify it.
• Choose program-eligible heat-pump equipment and, where required, a participating contractor.
• Keep all invoices, model numbers, and documentation the programs ask for.
• Submit within each program's deadlines and follow its verification steps.

Where to verify current terms

• Save on Energy's official website for the Home Renovation Savings Program (HRSP) details and current amounts.
• Enbridge Gas's official Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) program page.
• The Government of Ontario's official energy-rebate information pages.
• A HVAC contractor experienced with the current programs — helpful, but always cross-check against the official source.