Get Big Savings on Energy-Efficient Home Improvements with the Home Renovation Savings (HRS) Rebate Program! Beginning January 28th, 2025, Ontario homeowners can access a new energy rebate program aimed at lowering the cost of energy-efficient upgrades. This initiative is a collaboration between Enbridge Gas (which previously ran the HER and HER+ programs under NRCan’s Greener Homes initiative) and the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) through its Save on Energy™ brand.
The HRS rebate program offers two separate streams:
A notable difference between the heat pump stream in the new HRS program and previous rebate programs is that homeowners are no longer required to have an energy auditor conduct an assessment. This change will streamline the process, especially for those facing urgent situations, such as no heat in their home due to a breakdown of their current system.
In the heat pump stream, the dollar amount of the rebate that’s eligible will be determined by three key factors:
If your home is primarily heated with Enbridge Gas natural gas (furnace or boiler):
If your home is heated with electricity from the Ontario grid:
The HRS Rebate Program is only available to existing homes that have been occupied for at least 6 months. New construction is not eligible.
It applies to homes located in Ontario, connected to the Ontario electric grid (excluding Cornwall Electric customers who use Hydro Quebec power) or served by Enbridge Gas for natural gas. Homes using public utilities in places like Kingston and Kitchener are not eligible either.
Eligibility is limited to homes heated by natural gas (furnaces or boilers) or electricity (baseboards or electric furnaces). Homes heated by propane or oil are currently excluded, though there are plans to include them in a future program expansion, potentially by late February 2025.
Important: Most homes in Ontario can be adequately heated with a 2- or 3-ton unit, so typical rebate amounts are $1,000 to $1,500 for those currently using natural gas or $2,500 to $3,750 for those heating with electricity. To determine the correct size heat pump and your rebate eligibility, a professional inspection by a trained Comfort Advisor using the NRCan heat pump sizing tool is the first step.
The program is available to Ontario homeowners who have not previously received, nor expect to receive, a rebate through past programs from Enbridge or the IESO’s Save on Energy brand. Rebate applications must be submitted by the homeowner. Tenants who rent cannot apply for the rebate directly, but the homeowner can apply for properties they rent out. The homeowner must be responsible for the purchase and installation of the heat pump system and must sign a participation agreement.
No; rebate stacking is not allowed and will be closely monitored.
No, The home must be a single-detached, semi-detached, row house, townhome, or mobile home on a permanent foundation. Other types of buildings are not eligible for the program. Additionally, the home must have been occupied for at least 6 months; newly built homes do not qualify.
No, retrofits are not eligible under the program. It is specifically for homes that are primarily heated with natural gas (furnace or boiler) or electric resistance heating (baseboard heaters or electric furnace). Homes that already have heat pumps do not qualify.
No, the heat pump must be a cold climate-rated air source heat pump (ccASHP) listed on Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) qualified product list. It can either be a central system using your existing ductwork or a multi-head ductless system for homes without ducts. The system being installed and eligible for a rebate must be capable of heating the entire conditioned space of the home, including the basement (if applicable), and must be able to operate year-round. For questions about qualifying equipment, consult your ClimateCare Comfort Advisors.
Yes! This is called a hybrid system, where the heat pump provides efficient heating with clean electricity most of the time, but during extreme cold spells, the gas furnace will supply supplemental heat to maintain warmth. If you are keeping your existing furnace, a specially rated “coil-only ccASHP” can be used. However, if you’re replacing the furnace along with the heat pump, both the furnace and the heat pump must be compatible and listed on NRCan’s eligible products list.
No! Contracts must be pre-approved by the program administrators through a registration and proof of training process. This ensures that the heat pumps installed under this program are professionally installed and function as intended. It also helps protect you, the consumer, from unqualified or unreliable contractors.
It does matter. You can pay for the heat pump upfront or through financing arrangements. However, rental, lease, and lease-to-own options are not allowed at this time, although they may be included in the future. If you decide to have an energy audit, you can apply for the 10-year, 0% interest Greener Homes Loan through NRCan and CMHC.
Start by meeting with one of our Advisors at McCrea’s to evaluate your home’s current heating system and determine the best heat pump using NRCan’s air source heat pump sizing tool. They’ll need photos of your existing equipment, including the nameplates, to submit along with the quote for the new equipment and your signed Participation Agreement. Once everything is approved, the installation can proceed. Afterward, you’ll receive a cheque for the rebate amount directly from the program administrators. You will need to pay your contractor in full for the equipment and installation as per their terms, as the rebate is not paid to them.
During a townhall meeting hosted by the program administrators on January 22nd, contractors were informed that approvals should take 2-3 business days.
After receiving approval and installing the equipment, your contractor will need to submit photos of the installed system, including the controls (thermostat), along with copies of the final paid invoices to the program administrators for review, processing, and payment.
Please allow a few weeks to receive the cheque after your contractor submits all the required documentation.
Don’t wait—schedule a consultation with us to determine your eligibility and maximize your rebates. Act now to start saving on energy-efficient upgrades and make your home eco-friendly in 2025!
Participants are eligible for up to $7,500 total under the initiative. Updates will be provided over the life of the initiative to keep homeowners informed. As part of our work, we are committed to ensuring Greener Homes reaches diverse Canadians including those living in remote and northern communities and those with limited internet access. We are working on building a diverse network of energy advisors to provide career opportunities to all Canadians and to meet the need of our communities.
