Program information was last checked in August 2026. Rebate amounts and eligibility rules can change, so always check the current requirements before signing a contract.
If you have talked to your neighbour about replacing their furnace or installing a heat pump recently, there is a good chance the subject of rebates came up. Maybe you have seen ads about a heat pump rebate. Maybe a contractor mentioned a program when giving you a quote. Or maybe you have searched online and ended up more confused than when you started. That is understandable. Ontario’s rebate programs have changed quite a bit over the past couple of years and there is still plenty of old information online. So, if you are a homeowner in Ajax thinking about replacing your heating or cooling system, what can you actually get in 2026? This guide explains the current options in simple terms, including who may qualify, how much you could receive and what you need to do before installation. If you are considering an HVAC upgrade, a local HVAC services provider in Ajax, ON can also help you understand which options may apply to your home.
Quick Answer: What’s Available Right Now?
First, let’s clear up the program that most homeowners remember. The Canada Greener Homes Grant is closed to new applicants. It isn’t the rebate you should be planning around if you’re starting a new project in 2026. Instead, Ontario homeowners may have access to several different programs depending on their home, heating source, income, and the type of upgrade they’re making.
One of the main programs is the Home Renovation Savings Program, delivered through Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy. There are also federal programs aimed at specific households and heating situations, including the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program and the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program.
For qualifying heat pump installations, available rebates can range from roughly $2,000 to $12,000, depending on the system and your home’s primary heating source.
The important thing is not to assume that you’ll automatically receive the maximum amount. Your actual rebate depends on your situation.
Wait Is the Canada Greener Homes Grant Still Around?
This is probably one of the most confusing parts for homeowners. For several years, the Canada Greener Homes Grant was one of the biggest names in home energy rebates. That’s why you will still see it mentioned in articles, contractor websites and old advertisements. But if you are starting a new project now it’s no longer available.
What Happened to the Grant?
New applications for the Canada Greener Homes Grant closed in early 2024. The final deadline for existing applicants to submit their required documentation was at the end of 2025. If you were already part of the program your situation may be different. But if you have not applied and you are only now thinking about installing a heat pump, you shouldn’t plan your budget around the old grant.
This is also why it’s worth checking the date of any rebate article you find online. An article written two or three years ago may contain information that was completely accurate at the time but is no longer relevant today. So, if you are searching for the Canada Greener Homes Grant 2026, the short answer is: new applications are closed.
What Can You Actually Get in 2026?
This is where things get more useful.
The rebate you may qualify for depends partly on how your home is currently heated. The program has different rebate levels for homes heated primarily with natural gas and homes heated with electricity, oil, propane, or wood.
Rebates by Heating Type
Under the current Home Renovation Savings Program structure:
- Homes heated primarily with natural gas through Enbridge Gas: A qualifying cold-climate air-source heat pump can receive up to roughly $2,000. A qualifying ground-source or geothermal system can receive around $3,000.
- Homes heated with electricity, oil, propane, or wood: A qualifying cold-climate air-source heat pump can receive up to roughly $7,500, while a ground-source system can reach up to $12,000.
The actual amount isn’t simply based on which type of home you have. The size and qualifying specifications of the equipment also matter.
For example, air-source heat pump rebates are calculated based on the system’s heating and cooling capacity, up to the program maximum. The equipment must also meet the program’s requirements. If you have an oil-heated home, there may be additional oil-to-heat-pump incentives available depending on your circumstances. These programs can change, so it’s important to check the current requirements before making a decision. The numbers above are a useful starting point, but don’t assume you’ll receive a particular dollar amount until your eligibility has been confirmed.
Can You Combine Rebates?
This is another question we hear often. If you find two different programs that appear to offer money for the same type of upgrade, it can be tempting to add the amounts together and assume that’s what you’ll receive. Unfortunately, it isn’t always that simple.
How Combining Works
In some cases, more than one incentive may be available. For example, there may be additional support for certain income-qualified households or homes that are switching from oil heating. There may also be financing options available that aren’t rebates but can make the upfront cost easier to manage. The important thing is to check the rules for the specific programs you’re considering. Not every incentive can automatically be combined with another one, and the way incentives interact can depend on the type of project.
Before making your budget based on several rebates, have the applicable programs checked first. It’s much better to know what you’re actually eligible for than to discover after installation that two incentives couldn’t be combined.
Do You Need an Inspection Before You Start?
This is one area where homeowners can easily get confused because different rebate pathways have different requirements.
When Is a Pre-Inspection Required?
If you’re installing a heat pump as a single upgrade, the current program pathway does not require a full home energy assessment. That’s different from projects where you’re combining several eligible improvements.
For example, if you’re planning to upgrade your insulation, windows, and heating system as part of a larger project, you may need a pre-retrofit energy assessment before the work begins. A post-retrofit assessment may also be required. Either way, don’t wait until the installation is finished to figure out whether you qualified. Make sure you understand the program requirements and complete the required pre-installation application and approval before the heat pump is installed. Starting the work too early can make the project ineligible for the rebate.
What Does a Heat Pump Cost After the Rebate?
It’s easier to understand the rebate when you put some numbers around it.
An Example
Let’s say an electrically heated home needs a qualifying cold-climate air-source heat pump. For this example, we’ll assume the installed price is $11,000 and the homeowner qualifies for the full $7,500 rebate. That would leave approximately $3,500 to pay before considering any other incentives that might apply. Of course, that’s only an example.
The actual price can be higher or lower depending on the size of the home, the equipment selected, the existing ductwork, electrical requirements, and the complexity of the installation. That’s why getting a proper quote for your home is much more useful than relying on an average price you found online.
Is a Heat Pump Worth It for Your Ajax Home?
A large rebate doesn’t automatically mean a heat pump is the right choice for every home. Your current system, the condition of your home, your energy costs, and how long you plan to stay there all matter.
Heat Pump vs. Furnace
Heat pumps have become a popular option for Ontario homeowners because they can provide both heating and cooling from the same system. Modern cold-climate models are designed to work in Ontario’s winter weather, although choosing the right equipment and sizing it correctly is important. There are also situations where replacing a furnace with another furnace may make more sense.
For example, your existing furnace may still have plenty of life left. Your electrical system may need significant work before a heat pump can be installed. Or, depending on your home’s setup and energy costs, staying with gas may make more financial sense. So when you’re comparing heat pump vs furnace Ontario options, there isn’t one answer that works for everyone. A proper heat pump installation Ajax assessment should take your home’s heating needs, existing equipment, insulation, ductwork, and electrical setup into account before you make a decision.
How to Apply — Step by Step
The process can seem complicated at first, but the basic idea is fairly straightforward.
1. Check Your Eligibility
Start by confirming your home’s heating source and which rebate program applies to your project.
2. Register Before Work Begins
Complete the required registration or pre-installation application before the heat pump is installed.
Don’t assume you can install first and apply afterward.
3. Choose a Participating Contractor
The contractor installing the system needs to meet the program’s requirements. Ask about this before signing a contract.
4. Complete the Installation
Once you’ve received the required approval, the installation can move forward.
Keep your invoices and equipment information. You’ll need them for the rebate application.
5. Submit the Required Documents
After installation, the required documentation, including invoices and equipment details, needs to be submitted.
6. Receive Your Rebate
Once the application has been reviewed and approved, the rebate is issued according to the program’s payment process. Under the current Home Renovation Savings heat-pump pathway, approved rebate cheques are expected to arrive by mail within 60 days.
What About Rebate Deadlines?
If you’ve been following Ontario rebate programs for a while, you already know that things can change. The Canada Greener Homes Grant is a good example. It was available for years and then closed to new applicants.
That’s why we wouldn’t recommend making a major HVAC decision based on an old article, social media post, or advertisement. Before you sign a contract or buy equipment, check the current program rules and make sure the rebate you’re counting on is still available.
Not Sure Where to Start?
If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, start with these five questions:
- What is my home’s current heating source?
- Which rebate program applies to me?
- Does my project require a home energy assessment?
- Does the equipment I’m considering meet the program requirements?
- Have I completed the required registration and approval before installation?
Getting these answers first can save you a lot of confusion later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Canada Greener Homes Grant really closed?
Yes. New applications closed in early 2024, and the final deadline for existing applicants to submit their documentation passed at the end of 2025. If you’re starting a new project in 2026, you’ll need to look at the programs that are currently available instead.
How much can I actually get for a heat pump in Ajax?
It depends on your home’s primary heating source and the type of heat pump you choose. Under the current heat pump rebates Ontario 2026 structure, qualifying homes heated primarily with natural gas can receive up to roughly $2,000 for an air-source heat pump. Homes heated with electricity, oil, propane, or wood can receive up to roughly $7,500, while qualifying geothermal systems can reach up to $12,000.
These are maximum figures, not guaranteed rebate amounts. Your actual eligibility should be confirmed before you plan your budget around a specific number.
Do I need a home energy assessment before installing a heat pump?
Not necessarily. A single heat pump upgrade currently does not require a full home energy assessment under the applicable pathway. Larger projects that combine several eligible upgrades may have different assessment requirements. The important thing is to check the requirements for your specific project before work begins.
How long does it take to receive the rebate?
The timing can vary depending on the program and how quickly the application and supporting documents are processed. Under the current Home Renovation Savings heat-pump pathway, approved rebate cheques are expected to arrive by mail within 60 days.
Who can help me with HVAC rebates in Ajax?
A local HVAC provider that participates in the applicable program can help you understand the requirements, confirm whether the equipment qualifies, and guide you through the installation and application process.
Final Thoughts
HVAC rebates can save homeowners a significant amount of money, but only if you know which program you’re actually applying for. The Canada Greener Homes Grant is closed, but that doesn’t mean there are no incentives available in 2026. Programs such as the Home Renovation Savings Program can still provide meaningful rebates for qualifying heat pump installations, while other programs may apply to specific households or heating situations.
The best place to start is with your own home. Find out what you’re currently using for heat, what type of upgrade you’re considering, and which program requirements apply before you spend any money.
If you’re considering a heat pump or another HVAC upgrade in Ajax, a participating local HVAC provider can help you understand your options and make sure you know what to expect before the work begins. Contact Soogrim Home Solutions to discuss your project.
