Canada Greener Homes Grant 2026 — Complete Eligibility & Application Guide
Independent guide to the federal Greener Homes Grant, Greener Homes Loan, Oil-to-Heat-Pump Affordability Program, and stackable provincial rebates. Updated 2026-05-03.
We are not affiliated with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). All program details are based on publicly available information and should be verified with NRCan and your provincial energy authority before applying.
Quick TL;DR
The original Canada Greener Homes Grant closed for new applications in February 2024. As of 2026, the federal funding landscape consists of the Greener Homes Loan (up to CA$40,000 interest-free), the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program (up to CA$10,000 base, plus CA$5,000 Atlantic bonus for NB/NS/PE/NL), and provincial rebate programs (CleanBC, Save on Energy + Enbridge HER+, Efficiency Nova Scotia, NB Total Home Energy Savings, and others). Maximum stackable grants reach approximately CA$32,000 for low-mid income Atlantic Canadian oil-heating households. Always verify current program status with NRCan.
The 2026 program landscape
Canada's residential heat pump funding landscape has evolved significantly since the original Canada Greener Homes Grant launched in 2021. Understanding the current state of programs matters because outdated information frequently circulates online.
Original Greener Homes Grant — closed
The original Canada Greener Homes Grant offered up to CA$5,000 in non-repayable funding for eligible home retrofits, plus approximately CA$600 for the EnerGuide pre-evaluation. NRCan announced the closure of new applications in February 2024. Applications submitted before the cutoff continue to be processed, but new applicants must turn to successor programs.
Canada Greener Homes Loan — active
The Greener Homes Loan offers up to CA$40,000 interest-free, repayable over 10 years, for eligible home retrofits including heat pump installation. The loan is delivered through participating financial institutions and remains broadly available across Canada in 2026.
Importantly, the loan stacks with provincial rebates and the Oil-to-Heat-Pump program — most homeowners optimise their funding by combining all three.
Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program
The Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program is income-tested and specifically targets households currently heating with oil. The base federal contribution reaches approximately CA$10,000, with an additional CA$5,000 Atlantic bonus for residents of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador. This program is co-delivered with provincial agencies, and the actual stack frequently exceeds CA$15,000-20,000 when combined with provincial low-income programs.
Provincial programs (stackable on top)
Each province operates its own heat pump rebate program, sometimes administered by the provincial utility:
- Ontario: Save on Energy + Enbridge HER+ Home Renovation Rebate, up to approximately CA$7,800 combined.
- British Columbia: CleanBC Better Homes Heat Pump Rebate, up to CA$11,000 (income-qualified higher) plus FortisBC rebates.
- Alberta: Limited provincial grants; Alberta-specific pathway is the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) financing.
- Manitoba: Efficiency Manitoba Heat Pump Rebates, up to approximately CA$2,000.
- Saskatchewan: SaskPower Heat Pump Rebate, up to approximately CA$1,500.
- Nova Scotia: Efficiency Nova Scotia HomeWarming + Heat Pump Programs, up to approximately CA$7,000 standard / CA$21,000 income-qualified.
- New Brunswick: NB Total Home Energy Savings Program, up to approximately CA$12,000 standard / CA$20,000 income-qualified.
- Prince Edward Island: PEI Free Heat Pump Program — full free installation for qualifying low-income households, plus standard rebate of approximately CA$4,000 for higher-income.
- Newfoundland and Labrador: takeCHARGE Heat Pump Rebate, up to approximately CA$4,000 standard / CA$12,000 income-qualified.
- Yukon: Good Energy Yukon Heat Pump Rebates, up to approximately CA$6,500.
Provincial program details change quarterly. Always verify the current rules at your provincial energy authority's website before relying on these amounts.
Eligibility — who qualifies
Eligibility varies by program. Across all federal and most provincial programs, common requirements include:
- Homeowner status: typically owner-occupier residences. Rental and second-property eligibility varies by program.
- Eligible property type: single-family detached, row houses, semi-detached, mobile homes (with fixed foundations) generally qualify. Condos with centralised heating typically do not.
- Pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation: a baseline evaluation by a registered Energy Advisor is required for the federal programs. Cost approximately CA$600 (reimbursable with successful retrofit grant).
- Eligible upgrade: heat pump installation qualifies under the Greener Homes Loan and most provincial programs. Specific qualifying models may need EnerGuide certification or a minimum HSPF / SEER rating.
- Registered installer: federal programs typically require installation by an NRCan-registered installer. Provincial programs may accept manufacturer-certified dealers as equivalents.
- Income test: Oil-to-Heat-Pump Affordability and most provincial low-income tiers are income-tested. Threshold ranges typically follow provincial median income brackets.
Quebec — separate program landscape
Quebec operates separate provincial programs (Chauffez Vert, LogisVert, RénoVert) and has different application processes from the rest of Canada. Quebec residents should consult Transition énergétique Québec for current program details. Service through this site is not available in Quebec at this time.
Application process — step by step
The standard pathway from initial inquiry to grant payment involves seven steps and typically spans 4-6 months.
1. Pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation (Week 1-4)
Hire a registered Energy Advisor. The Energy Advisor performs a blower-door test, inspects insulation, heating systems, and windows, and issues a baseline EnerGuide rating with retrofit recommendations. Cost: approximately CA$600 (reimbursable on successful retrofit grant).
2. Choose eligible upgrades (Week 4-6)
Review the Energy Advisor's recommendations against the program's eligible-upgrades list. Heat pump installation qualifies under all federal programs. Bundling additional upgrades (insulation, windows, hot water) typically increases total grant value.
3. Hire an NRCan-registered installer (Week 6-10)
Get multiple quotes (recommended: 3 minimum) from NRCan-registered installers and manufacturer-certified dealers (Lennox Premier, Mitsubishi Diamond Dealer, Daikin Comfort Pro, Carrier Factory Authorized, Trane Comfort Specialist). Verify each contractor's:
- NRCan registration (cross-check on the NRCan installer registry)
- Provincial trade certification (varies by province)
- Workers' compensation coverage (WCB / WSIB)
- Insurance and warranty terms
- References from completed installations in your area
4. Complete the retrofit (Week 10-12)
Heat pump installation typically takes:
- Air-source (ASHP): 1-3 days
- Cold-climate (CCHP): 2-4 days
- Ground-source (GSHP, requires excavation): 1-3 weeks
5. Post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation (Week 12-16)
Schedule the post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation. The Energy Advisor documents the achieved energy improvement and issues the post-retrofit rating required for grant reimbursement.
6. Submit reimbursement application (Week 16-18)
Submit the complete application package via the appropriate program portal (NRCan for federal programs, provincial agency for rebates). Required documents typically include:
- Pre and post EnerGuide reports
- Contractor invoices showing equipment + labour
- NRCan-registration verification of installer
- Proof of payment
- EnerGuide pre-evaluation receipt
7. Receive grant payment (Week 18-30)
Approved applications typically receive grant payment 6 to 12 weeks after submission. Provincial rebates may arrive faster or slower depending on the agency.
Total elapsed time: approximately 4-6 months from pre-evaluation to grant payment in hand. Plan accordingly if you need the heat pump operational by a specific season.
Provincial cost-after-grants breakdown
Maximum stackable grants by province (federal Greener Homes Loan + provincial + Oil-to-HP where applicable + Atlantic bonus where applicable). Always verify current amounts.
| Province | Provincial program | Max grant stack | Cities |
|---|---|---|---|
| ON | Save on Energy + Enbridge HER+ Home Renovation Rebate | CA$10 800 | Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton |
| BC | CleanBC Better Homes Heat Pump Rebate | CA$9 000 | Vancouver, Victoria |
| AB | Alberta Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) | CA$7 500 | Calgary, Edmonton |
| MB | Efficiency Manitoba Heat Pump Rebates | CA$2 000 | Winnipeg |
| SK | SaskPower Energy Efficient Heat Pump Rebate | CA$1 500 | Saskatoon, Regina |
| NS | Efficiency Nova Scotia HomeWarming + Heat Pump Programs | CA$26 000 | Halifax |
| NB | NB Total Home Energy Savings Program | — | |
| PE | PEI Free Heat Pump Program | free installation possible (low-income) OR up to ~$19k otherwise | Charlottetown |
| NL | Newfoundland and Labrador takeCHARGE Heat Pump Rebate | CA$24 000 | St. John's |
| YT | Good Energy Yukon Heat Pump Rebates | — |
Eligible heat pump types
Most federal and provincial programs accept three primary heat pump categories:
Air-source heat pump (ASHP)
The most common type. Suitable for milder climates (Vancouver, Victoria, Toronto, Hamilton, Halifax). Installed cost typically CA$8,000-15,000. Can struggle below -15°C without auxiliary heating, though modern units operate to lower temperatures.
Cold-climate heat pump (CCHP)
An ASHP variant engineered for sub-25°C operation. Required for Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, and other Prairie / extreme-cold regions. Installed cost typically CA$12,000-22,000. Major manufacturers with strong CCHP product lines: Mitsubishi (Hyper Heating), Bosch (IDS series), Lennox (cold-climate models), Daikin (Aurora).
Ground-source / geothermal heat pump (GSHP)
Extracts heat from the ground via vertical or horizontal loops. Highest efficiency and lowest operating cost, but installed cost CA$25,000-50,000 due to excavation. Works in any climate. Eligible for the highest tier of the Greener Homes Loan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Canada Greener Homes Grant still available in 2026?↓
The original Canada Greener Homes Grant closed for new applications in February 2024. Successor and complementary programs remain active in 2026: the Canada Greener Homes Loan (up to CA$40,000 interest-free), the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program, and a range of provincial rebate programs. Always verify the current federal program landscape at the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) website before applying.
Can I get a grant before I install the heat pump?↓
No. The Canada Greener Homes Initiative is reimbursement-based: you pay for the retrofit upfront and receive the grant after the post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation. The Greener Homes Loan can help finance the upfront cost interest-free.
Do I need both pre-retrofit and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluations?↓
Yes. Both evaluations are required for the federal grant programs. The pre-retrofit evaluation documents the baseline; the post-retrofit evaluation documents the improvement. The cost of the pre-evaluation (approximately CA$600) is generally reimbursable if you complete an eligible retrofit.
Is the EnerGuide evaluation cost reimbursed?↓
Yes — provided you complete an eligible retrofit and apply for the grant successfully, the cost of the pre-retrofit evaluation (approximately CA$600) is generally included in the grant reimbursement. Verify current rules with NRCan as program details may change.
Can I stack federal and provincial heat pump grants?↓
Yes. Federal programs (Greener Homes Loan, Oil-to-Heat-Pump Affordability) are designed to stack with provincial rebates such as CleanBC Better Homes (BC), Save on Energy + Enbridge HER+ (ON), Efficiency Nova Scotia, NB Total Home Energy Savings, and others. The combined stack can reach CA$26,000-32,000 in qualifying Atlantic scenarios.
Can I take both the grant and the loan?↓
Yes. The Greener Homes Loan (up to CA$40,000 interest-free) is designed to help finance retrofits even when grants are also being applied for. Loan + grant + provincial stack is the optimal funding combination for most Canadian homeowners.
What if I already installed before applying?↓
Pre-installation applications and EnerGuide pre-evaluations are required by most current programs. Retroactive grants are generally not available. If you have already installed without a pre-evaluation, contact NRCan and your provincial program administrator to confirm whether any retroactive options apply to your situation.
Does the program work for cottages or second properties?↓
Eligibility for second properties varies by program. The Greener Homes Loan and Grant programs have generally been focused on primary residences, but some provincial programs accept secondary properties. Verify property eligibility with the relevant program administrator before applying.
What if my installer isn't NRCan-registered?↓
Federal programs typically require installation by a registered installer to qualify for the grant or loan. Always verify the installer's NRCan registration before signing a contract. Provincial program rules vary; some accept certified manufacturer dealers as equivalents.
How long does the application take?↓
The full timeline from pre-evaluation to grant payment is typically 4 to 6 months. Pre-evaluation 2-4 weeks, retrofit 1-3 days install plus 1-2 weeks mobilization, post-evaluation 2-4 weeks, grant payment 6-12 weeks after submission.
Can I apply for multiple upgrades at once?↓
Yes. Bundling eligible upgrades (heat pump + insulation + windows + renewable energy) within a single application is encouraged and can substantially increase total grant value. The post-retrofit evaluation captures the combined energy improvement.
What's the difference between the Greener Homes Grant and the Greener Homes Loan?↓
The Grant (now closed for new applications, status uncertain) provided up to CA$5,000 in non-repayable funding. The Loan (still active in 2026) offers up to CA$40,000 in interest-free repayable financing over 10 years. Many homeowners use both: grant funds offset cost, loan finances the remainder.
Are there income restrictions?↓
The Oil-to-Heat-Pump Affordability Program is income-tested. Provincial programs (e.g. NB Total Home Energy Savings, NL Home Energy Savings, PEI Free Heat Pump) have low-income tiers offering significantly higher amounts. The Greener Homes Loan is generally income-neutral.
Does this apply to rental properties?↓
Most federal programs are oriented toward owner-occupied residences. Some provincial programs accept landlords or rental properties under specific conditions. Always verify property type eligibility with the program administrator.
What if I switch from oil heating — is the process different?↓
Yes. Oil-heated households qualify for the federal Oil-to-Heat-Pump Affordability Program (up to CA$10,000-15,000 with Atlantic bonus), which is delivered in coordination with provincial programs. This is often the highest-value pathway because the Atlantic bonus stacks on top of standard grants.
Sources & verification
All information on this page is based on publicly available program documentation. Programs change frequently — verify current details before applying.
- NRCan Greener Homes Initiative: natural-resources.canada.ca
- Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program: natural-resources.canada.ca
- Save on Energy (Ontario): saveonenergy.ca
- CleanBC Better Homes: betterhomesbc.ca
- Efficiency Nova Scotia: efficiencyns.ca
- NB Power Total Home Energy Savings: nbpower.com
- NL takeCHARGE: takechargenl.ca
- Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada: priv.gc.ca
Last updated: 2026-05-03. This page is an independent consumer guide; we are not affiliated with the Government of Canada, NRCan, or any provincial utility. Information is provided for general guidance and is not legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult the program administrator for your specific situation.
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