Eligibility criteria for the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program
- Grant up to $10,000
For homeowners across Canada, regardless of the province or territory - Additional grant up to $5,000
Where the province or territory has committed to match the additional up-to-$5,000.
For homeowners in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon - One-time incentive payment of $250
For homeowners in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon
Grant up to $10,000 for applicants across Canada
Canadian homeowners who are eligible for the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program may receive up to $10,000 toward the costs associated with switching to an eligible heat pump system. Homeowners in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon may also be eligible for additional grant amounts.
Only one homeowner per home can apply. Before you apply, ensure you are eligible.
Eligibility criteria
You are eligible for the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program if:
- your household income must qualify as median or below, after taxes
Check if your income level is eligible - your home must be eligible
Check if your house is an eligible property type - you are a primary resident and owner of your home
- you heat your home with oil
- you have recent receipts for the purchase of at least 500 litres of heating oil to heat your home in the past 12 months leading up to the time of application
- you can complete the work within 6 months of receiving the upfront payment
- your home is connected to an integrated electricity grid (for example, the North American electricity grid)
Important: Applicants must ensure that they meet all the program’s eligibility requirements to be eligible for funding. This includes complying with the mandatory technical criteria and conditions, and completing an attestation form. Continue reading this page for more information.
Before you apply, use the Check your eligibility tool to find out if you are eligible for the up to $10,000 grant. Homeowners residing in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon will be directed to their provincial program.
- Additional grant up to $5,000 for applicants in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon
In addition to the eligibility criteria listed for homeowners across Canada, you will need to meet the following criteria to be eligible for up to $5,000 in additional grant funding. This payment is in addition to the up to $10,000 grant (for up to $15,000):
- you live in a province or territory in which the program is being co-delivered (currently British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Yukon)
- One-time incentive payment of $250 for applicants in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon
In addition to the eligibility criteria listed for homeowners across Canada, you must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the $250 incentive payment:
- you live in a province or territory in which the program is being co-delivered (currently British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Yukon)
- you have signed up and pre-qualified with your provincial co-delivery program for an eligible heat pump system through a joint federal-provincial government program
What will I need to apply for the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program?
Requirements | More information |
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Proof of primary residence |
Provide a valid government-issued identification with your current name and address, such as a driver’s licence. Your identification must match the name and address on your application. Make sure your current address is up to date on your identification and application. If we must follow up for additional information, this will delay your grant. |
Proof of home ownership |
Upload your most recent property tax bill. The name and address on the bill must match the name and address on the application. If we have to follow up for additional information, this will delay your grant. |
Heating oil proof of purchase |
Provide proof of purchasing at least 500 litres of heating oil to heat your home in the 12 months leading up to the time of application, such as receipts, fuel bills or invoices. If we have to follow-up for additional information, this will delay your grant. |
Quote(s) from your selected contractor(s) |
Submit all the relevant quotes from each contractor you intend to hire and who will be involved in the transition to your new heat pump system. You need to do this when you apply because your grant amount will be based on this information and only one grant payment will be issued per household.
Ensure the contractor includes the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) number with the quote(s) for the selected eligible heat pump(s), the brand name, and the model numbers of the indoor and outdoor units. |
Mandatory requirements for electric heat pump systems |
Confirm the recommended heat pump meets the mandatory conditions for this program.
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Social insurance number |
Provide your social insurance number, which will be used to verify with the Canada Revenue Agency that your household income is considered “median or below.” |
Follow oil tank regulations |
If you are planning to decommission or remove an oil tank, it is strongly recommended that you verify your plans with your home insurance provider and your local authority (for example, municipal regulator) before you start the work to ensure full compliance with local regulations. Your province or territory may require the removal of an oil tank that is no longer in use. It is your responsibility to verify and adhere to all relevant regulations. While the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program does not require the removal of your oil tank, the removal of your oil tank is an eligible expense. |
The grant payment must be used toward the purchase and installation of an eligible heat pump system (air source, cold climate air source, or ground source) and the eligible measures associated with its installation. Natural Resources Canada would request repayment and take action to recover the funds if necessary. Please ensure that you fully read and understand the eligible measures and mandatory technical requirements and conditions.
Learn more about the application process
Eligible products lists
Your new heat pump(s) must be on one of the following searchable lists:
- Air Source Heat Pump and Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps
- Ground Source Heat Pumps
- Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps – Nova Scotia and Yukon
- Air Source Heat Pumps and Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps - British Columbia only
Tips to search the eligible product list
To confirm the eligibility of a specific system:
- Ask your mechanical system contractor to include the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) number, the brand name, and the model numbers of the indoor and outdoor units in their quote (and corresponding air handler or furnace, where applicable).
- Enter the AHRI number in the “AHRI/Verification reference” field near the bottom of the search page.
- When you review the search results, verify that the brand name and model numbers of the indoor and outdoor units (and corresponding air handler or furnace, where applicable) exactly match the information provided by your mechanical system contractor.
For additional assistance, contact us at OHPA-CAMT@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.
Mandatory technical requirements and conditions
Your selected eligible heat pump must meet the following technical criteria and conditions:
All components of the electric heat pump system (outdoor and indoor units and corresponding air handler or furnace, where applicable) must be compatible and listed together as an eligible product.
- Use the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) number, the brand name, and the model numbers of the indoor and outdoor units provided by the mechanical contractor to confirm that your heat pump is included on one of the eligible product lists. Note that both indoor and outdoor units (and corresponding air handler or furnace, if applicable) must be listed under the same AHRI number.
“Coils only” heat pump systems technical criteria
“Coils Only” heat pump systems are eligible only when paired with a new electric furnace.
For a limited number of centrally ducted heat pumps, known as “Coils Only” systems, the inside and outside units can be paired with new electric furnaces. These systems have their inside and outside units listed with their own AHRI number under the AHRI classification HRCU-A-C. The search result on the Eligible Product Lists will show model numbers for the inside and outside units, while the furnace field will say “Coils Only.”
For a “Coils Only” heat pump system (for example, systems listed under the AHRI classification HRCU-A-C), steps must be taken to ensure their heating and cooling performance. Homeowners must work with their mechanical system contractors to understand the implications of operating this system with the selected furnace and thermostat. This is important as custom combinations of “Coils Only,” without pairing it with appropriate furnaces and controls, can limit the benefits of the heat pump system, potentially reducing the energy efficiency and home comfort.
Note: When considering “Coils Only” products to ensure optimum performance and savings, it is strongly recommended that:- the furnace has a blower with an Electronically Commutated Motor (ECM) or variable speed
- the furnace controls allow the thermostat to work properly with the heat pump system
- the thermostat must be compatible with both the heat pump and the furnace
- the rated airflow of the furnace and the heat pump are similar
- Performance requirements
Heat pumps included in the eligibility list must meet the following performance requirements:
ENERGY STAR air source heat pump products (ASHP)
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- ENERGY STAR version 6.1 certified
- HSPF2 Region V ≥ 6.6 AND SEER2 ≥ 15.2 (Systems with HSPF Region IV ≥ 10 are no longer being added to the eligible product lists. Systems already listed with HSPF Region IV ≥ 10 will continue to be eligible until June 1, 2025.)
Cold climate air source heat pump products (ccASHP)
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- HSPF2 Region V ≥6.6 AND SEER2 ≥ 15.2 (Systems with HSPF Region IV ≥10 are no longer being added to the eligible product lists. Systems already listed with HSPF Region IV ≥ 10 will continue to be eligible until June 1, 2025.)
- have a capacity maintenance (Max -15°C [5°F]/Rated 8.3°C [47°F]) ≥70%
- have a coefficient of performance ≥1.8 at -15°C (5°F) at maximum capacity operation
- have a variable capacity compressor with 3 or more distinct operating speeds or continuously variable speed
Ground source heat pump products (GSHP)
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- Must meet Canada’s Energy Efficiency Regulations: Energy Efficiency Regulations – technical specifications
- Installation: It must be installed by a licensed and trained professional. Before accepting the quote, it is highly recommended that you obtain proof of their licence to install equipment in your province or territory (PDF, 116 KB).
- Heat distribution: The Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program requires that the eligible heat pump system be capable of distributing heat throughout the entire conditioned space in the house, including the basements where the distance from the top of the floor slab to the bottom of the ceiling joist is 1.8 m or more. This applies regardless of whether the eligible heat pump system is a central ducted, mini- or multi-split ducted or ductless system.
For a typical house, this usually requires a minimum of one warm air supply outlet or indoor head per floor, including each level of a split-level, mezzanine level, etc., of each dwelling unit in the building. In some instances, more than one warm air supply outlet and/or indoor head per floor may be required to ensure heat distribution to the entire home or building.
The mechanical system contractor is responsible for sizing, recommending and installing the new eligible heat pump system based on the contractor's heating load calculations.Footnote 1 - Attestation form for contractors for air source and ground source heat pumps: It is mandatory under the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program that you have your mechanical system contractor sign an attestation form (PDF, 65 kb) confirming that the heat pump is capable of distributing heat throughout the entire house. For ground source heat pump installations, it is mandatory that you have your contractor attest that the installation has been completed according to the CSA C448 Standard (latest version) - Design and installation of ground source heat pump systems.
Resources for applicants
Applying
Other financial incentives and money saving tips
Need a loan for your other retrofits?
The Canada Greener Homes Loan is an interest-free loan of up to $40,000 with a repayment term of 10 years. This loan can help homeowners finance eligible retrofits that are recommended by an energy advisor and that have not yet been started.
Learn more about how to apply for the Canada Greener Homes Loan
Contact Us
Business hours
Monday to Friday: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm (Eastern time)
Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program inquiries:
- Phone: 1-833-674-8282
- TTY: 1-800-465-7735
- Email: OHPA-CAMT@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Canada Greener Homes Loan inquiries
- Phone: 1-866-292-9517
- Email: Questions@cghli.ca
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Accessibility
The Canada Greener Homes Initiative is committed to providing a barrier-free application process. We encourage you to advise us of any accommodations you may need. Please contact us either by email, toll-free number or TTY and we will happily assist you.
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