Heat Pump Government Grants
Heat pumps are an environmentally friendly heating and cooling option that can help homeowners reduce their carbon footprint. When you install a heat pump, you contribute to Canada’s objective of reducing its carbon emissions. Heat pumps are highly energy efficient and could potentially lead to lower utility bills, making them a practical choice. That’s why there are heat pump government grants. These grants and incentives aim to help Canadians pay for the installation of heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and even hybrid heating systems. You can capitalize on these grants to save money on the installation of a heat pump in your home.
What is a Heat Pump?
A heat pump is an HVAC system that heats and cools your home. It has a heating mode and a cooling mode depending on the season. It leverages the temperature of the outdoor air and electricity to produce the warmth or cooling you need.
If you’re on the fence about whether you want to give up natural gas heating, we can configure a dual-fuel hybrid heat pump system that gives you the most cost-effective way of getting both heating and cooling and reducing your carbon footprint.
Save with the Canada Greener Homes Grant
This heat pump government grant is available thanks to the federal government. Eligible Canadians can get up to $5,600 back through this government grant. Plus, you could get up to $600 back for the required EnerGuide home evaluation. Residents of Kitchener-Waterloo can apply and access thousands in savings on the installation of their ENERGY STAR® certified heat pump!
Through this grant, homeowners can also apply for an interest-free loan of up to $40,000 that can be used to perform more extensive energy efficiency upgrades.
Who’s eligible for the heat pump government grants?
To be eligible for this grant, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a homeowner in Canada (regardless of location in the country)
- Be able to provide proof of primary residence
- Be the only member of your household to apply for this grant
Save Even More with the HER+ (Home Efficiency Rebate Plus) Program
In addition to heat pump government grants, Enbridge Gas is also offering enhanced rebates. Enbridge Gas has partnered with the Canadian government and their Canada Greener Homes Grant to co-deliver the Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) program. Through this program, eligible Canadians and Enbridge customers can qualify for up to $7,100 back on eligible ENERGY STAR® certified heat pumps.
Who’s eligible for the HER+ Program?
All Ontario homeowners qualify for the HER+ program except:
- Owners not currently living on the premises and the home does not have an active Enbridge Gas account.
- Homeowners that have already started work on the upgrades before they conducted a pre-retrofit energy assessment.
- Homeowners whose home was built less than 6 months ago.
- Homeowners whose home is part of a cooperative or a multi-unit residential building (MURB) with more than 3 storeys or a footprint bigger than 600m2.
- Less than 50 percent of the building is residential living space.
- Homeowners who have already gone through the Home Efficiency Rebate (HER) or Canada Greener Homes Grant (CGHG) programs and maxed out their incentive at $5,000 for non-Enbridge Gas customers and $10,000 for Enbridge Gas customers.
What Retrofits or Installations Are Covered?
You can use the funding for eligible upgrades including:
- Heat pumps
- Ducted heat pumps
- Ductless heat pumps
- Ductless mini-splits
- Hybrid heating system
- Heat pump water heaters
- Smart thermostats
What properties are eligible for heat pump government grants?
The following properties are eligible for the Canada Greener Homes Grant:
- A single or semi-detached home
- A rowhouse
- A townhouse
- An all-seasons cottage
- A mobile home on a permanent foundation
- A permanently moored floating home
- A small multi-unit residential building (residential only)
- A mixed-use building (residential only)
*Unfortunately, new homes are not eligible for this initiative.
How to Access Heat Pump Government Grants
You can apply for the Canada Greener Homes Grant and Enbridge rebates in a single application. The steps and requirements to receive the grants and rebates are:
1.
Contact Delta Air Systems
If you want to access the heat pump grants and rebates, call Delta and we’ll help you get started. We’ll help you arrange for the required pre-upgrade home energy assessment with a Registered Energy Advisor.
2.
Upgrade your home
Within 12 months of your home evaluation, Delta will complete the eligible installation. Be sure to keep all your paperwork and receipts, as you may be required to submit them following your upgrades.
3.
Complete the post-upgrade evaluation
After the installation is done, a Registered Energy Advisor will perform the required post-upgrade home energy evaluation.
4.
Wait for your cheque
The last step is to submit the necessary paperwork and wait for your cheque to arrive! It can take up to 12 weeks.
If you live in the Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph or Cambridge area, and want more information on available heat pump government grants, contact Delta Air Systems!
Once you have decided on a heat pump system, one of our Home Comfort Advisors will connect you with an energy auditor to book your appointment. The energy auditor will perform the pre-installation energy audit and start the online application process with you. They will return to do a post-installation inspection after the equipment is installed and help you complete your online application. You pay the energy auditor separately for the audits, but up to $600 is eligible to be covered by grant money.
Benefits of a Heat Pump
There are several benefits to installing a heat pump in your home, including:
Energy Efficiency
Since heat pumps only transfer heat, they use less energy to heat and cool your home than older traditional HVAC systems. This ultimately reduces your carbon footprint, and could potentially save you money in the long run.
Environmentally Friendly
Because heat pumps use much less energy, they’re more environmentally friendly. There’s also no combustion. The federal government is incentivizing their installation because they can help Canada reduce its overall carbon emissions.
2-in-1 System
Despite their name, heat pumps do more than just heat your home. They also work like air conditioners. In the winter, they move heat into your home, and in the summer, they switch into cooling mode to cool your home.
Zoned Heating/Cooling
Heat pumps work using one outdoor unit. However, you can have multiple air handlers on the inside of your home, allowing you to control the temperature of each zone or room.
What is a hybrid/dual-fuel system?
These grants don’t just cover heat pumps alone. Eligible homeowners can use the money to install dual-fuel or hybrid heating systems, as well. A dual-fuel, or hybrid, heating system is just like it sounds – a heating system that uses two sources of heat fueled by different sources of energy. Typically, it involves a furnace and a heat pump.
A hybrid system is the most energy-efficient setup you can get. It leverages the energy efficiency of the heat pump by using it to heat your home when the temperature is milder or when other fuel prices are high. And when it gets really cold, the furnace kicks in and heats your home. Heat pumps work most efficiently in milder temperatures, so, at a certain threshold, the forced air system will be more efficient.
A hybrid heating system gives you the best of both worlds, allowing for maximum efficiency and home comfort.