The ride to a greener future has never been smoother. Both the provincial and federal governments offer programs and rebates that clear the way for change and help with the cost. Eligible homeowners and businesses can utilize these incentives to update their properties and reduce their energy costs as well as contribute to the fight against climate change.
Applying for this assessment via Efficiency Nova Scotia should be the first thing you do when thinking about getting a heat pump!
Efficiency Nova Scotia will arrange for an Agent Partner to send a Home Energy Advisor who will conduct a survey of your home’s energy efficiency. This 2-3 hour inspection checks insulation, air leakage and your current heating system. At the end, you receive a report that details your home’s energy performance and identifies opportunities to upgrade like better insulation or the installation of a heat pump.
You can share this report with prospective contractors to help them estimate for projects accurately and it is also helpful when applying for programs like the Canada Greener Homes Loan.
There is a $199 fee for this service but if you qualify for the Moderate Income Rebate (see below), the fee is waived.
The Moderate Income Rebate is for homeowners whose income comes under a specific income threshold. Eligible households can avail of up to $10,000 in rebates/grants to cover the costs of heat pumps, heat pump hot water heaters or improved insulation.
If you qualify for this program, you do not have to pay for your Home Energy Assessment. In addition, if you purchased at least 500 litres of home heating oil in the previous year, you qualify for the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program (see below).
This program is for homeowners who don’t qualify for other programs like the Moderate Income Rebate. Up to $2,000 is available for heating system upgrades such as the installation of a centrally ducted heat pump or ductless mini-split heat pumps.
The homeowner is responsible for paying the contractor and receives the rebates upon submission of the invoice(s).
The Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program (OHPA) is a grant of up to $15,000 to help you move from oil heating to a centrally-ducted heat pump or ductless mini-split heat pumps. The grant can be combined with provincial grants/rebates offered through the Moderate Income Rebate.
Eligibility is decided by your household income and the amount of home heating oil you purchased in a year (at least 500 litres).
The federal portion of the grant gets paid to the heat pump contractor at project start and the provincial grants are payed directly to you after the Energy Advisor returns to inspect the completed work.
The OHPA Program is a federal initiative but is administered by Efficiency Nova Scotia.
The Canada Greener Homes Loan (CGHL) gives Canadians access to an interest-free loan of up to $40,000 repayable over ten years. The loan will cover any eligible retrofits to your home that have been recommended by an Energy Advisor in their Renovation Upgrade Report.
Before applying, you must already have the estimate(s) from your chosen contractor(s). You cannot access this loan for work that has already been started or completed.
After applying online, you will be contacted by an underwriter who will review the application and may contact you for further information before making a decision.
The CGHL can advance 15% to cover contractor deposits and the remainder of the loan is paid after the Energy Advisor returns to inspect the completed work.
This program offers rebates covering a portion of project costs for certain energy efficiency upgrades. 24-month interest-free financing is also available for eligible electric-to-electric upgrades (subject to credit approval by Nova Scotia Power).
This program helps organizations lower their energy expenses and reduce their carbon footprint. Rebates of up to 75% of product costs for energy efficient products are available or interest-free financing for up to 24 months. Suitable for a new construction or retrofit project that requires a heat pump system.
Want to work in a growth industry that changes people’s lives and benefits the environment?
Learn more…
Website by Half Twelve Design
