The No-Cost Home Retrofit: How to Get a Free Heat Pump and Slash Your Energy Bills.

The free heat pump Canada program landscape changed significantly in the past year — and if you’ve heard about the Canada Greener Homes Grant offering up to $10,000, you should know that program stopped accepting new applications on January 20, 2026. The good news: it’s been replaced by programs that are, for many households, even better — including options that install a heat pump at zero cost with no rebate paperwork required. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly which programs are open right now in 2026, who qualifies, how to apply step-by-step, and how to stack federal and provincial support to maximize your savings.

📋 Table of Contents

1. What Free Heat Pump Programs Are Actually Open in Canada Right Now?
2. Who Qualifies for Home Energy Retrofit Rebates in 2026?
3. Comparing Heat Pump Programs: CGHAP vs. OHPA vs. Provincial Options
4. How Do You Apply for a Free Heat Pump in 2026? Step-by-Step
5. Tips for Maximizing Your Heat Pump Support and Avoiding Common Mistakes
6. Key Takeaways
7. Frequently Asked Questions

What Free Heat Pump Programs Are Actually Open in Canada Right Now?

Here’s the update most articles about “free heat pumps” haven’t caught up with: the original Canada Greener Homes Grant ($5,000 for general retrofits, or up to $10,000 for an oil-to-heat-pump switch specifically under related streams) closed to new applications on January 20, 2026. The companion Canada Greener Homes Loan (interest-free financing up to $40,000) closed even earlier, on October 1, 2025. If an article describes applying for this grant as a current option, it’s describing a closed program.

What Replaced It: CGHAP

The Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (CGHAP) is the active federal program in 2026, and it works completely differently from the old grant. Instead of you finding a contractor, paying upfront, and claiming a rebate afterward, CGHAP uses a direct-install model: a delivery organization in your province assesses your home, arranges the retrofit, and pays for it directly. Eligible households pay nothing out of pocket.

As of mid-2026, CGHAP is rolling out province by province:

• Manitoba (the first province, launched in 2025)
• British Columbia (via utility delivery partners)
• Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec (added in a June 29, 2026 expansion)
• Other provinces are still finalizing delivery agreements

The June 2026 expansion also made CGHAP available to renters for the first time — a first for a major federal retrofit program, which had previously been homeowner-only.

What Also Replaced It: OHPA

For households specifically heating with oil, the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program (OHPA) offers grants of up to $15,000 (plus a $250 Natural Resources Canada bonus in co-delivered provinces) to switch to a cold climate heat pump, covering the equipment, oil tank removal, and any required electrical upgrades. Note: July 31, 2026 is the deadline to apply for residents of Alberta, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Quebec, and Saskatchewan — check your province for the current status if you’re outside these regions.

Provincial Programs Remain Active and Separate

Provincial programs like Ontario’s Energy Affordability Program (through Save On Energy) and Nova Scotia’s HomeWarming program (through Efficiency Nova Scotia) are longer-standing, income-qualified programs that continue operating independently of the federal changes. These remain genuinely valuable options, especially in provinces where CGHAP hasn’t yet rolled out.

Who Qualifies for Home Energy Retrofit Rebates in 2026?

Eligibility varies significantly depending on which program you’re accessing.

CGHAP Eligibility

CGHAP targets low-to-median income households — both homeowners and, as of June 2026, renters. Specific income thresholds vary by province, family size, and local median household income, generally corresponding to roughly 80–120% of your province’s median income. Because thresholds are set at the provincial level and some are still being finalized, check with your province’s delivery organization for exact figures.

OHPA Eligibility

To qualify for OHPA, you generally need to demonstrate homeownership, meet income eligibility criteria, and show proof of at least 500 litres of heating oil purchased in the prior 12 months. This program does not have the same direct-install model as CGHAP — it operates as a grant toward your retrofit costs.

Provincial Program Eligibility

Ontario’s Energy Affordability Program and Nova Scotia’s HomeWarming each have their own income thresholds and application processes, generally targeting low-to-moderate income households. If you’re currently receiving income-tested federal or provincial benefits, you’re likely to qualify, but always confirm directly since criteria vary by program and are updated periodically.

Current Heating System Considerations

The most generous support remains reserved for homeowners currently using oil heating, since oil furnaces are among the most expensive and least efficient systems in Canada. If you heat with electric baseboards, propane, or natural gas, you may still qualify for CGHAP (if income-eligible) or provincial programs, though OHPA specifically is designed for oil-heated homes.

Comparing Heat Pump Programs: CGHAP vs. OHPA vs. Provincial Options

Here’s how the currently active programs compare in 2026:

💡 Important: The old Canada Greener Homes Grant’s five-step process (EnerGuide evaluation → contractor selection → installation → second evaluation → rebate claim) does not apply to CGHAP. If you’re following a guide that describes this process as the way to get a “free” federal heat pump in 2026, you’re likely reading outdated information based on the closed grant program.

How Do You Apply for a Free Heat Pump in 2026? Step-by-Step

Step 1: Determine Your Best Program Fit

Start by checking whether CGHAP has rolled out in your province — visit Natural Resources Canada’s website for the current provincial list. If you heat with oil, also check OHPA eligibility and the July 31, 2026 deadline if you’re in Alberta, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Quebec, or Saskatchewan. If you’re in Ontario or Nova Scotia and don’t qualify for CGHAP yet, check the Energy Affordability Program or HomeWarming.

Step 2: Apply Through the Correct Delivery Organization

For CGHAP, you apply through your province’s designated delivery organization, not a single federal portal. For OHPA, applications go through NRCan or provincial co-delivery partners. For provincial programs, apply directly through Save On Energy (Ontario) or Efficiency Nova Scotia.

Step 3: Complete the Assessment

Under CGHAP, the delivery organization conducts its own assessment of your home — you generally don’t need to arrange a separate EnerGuide evaluation. Under OHPA and some provincial programs, an assessment may still be required as part of the application.

Step 4: Let the Program Coordinate Installation (CGHAP/No-Cost Programs)

For direct-install programs like CGHAP, the delivery organization arranges and pays the contractor directly — you don’t select your own installer or pay upfront. For grant-based programs like OHPA, you’ll typically need to obtain quotes from qualified HVAC contractors familiar with cold climate heat pump installations (rated for operation to -25°C or lower) and submit documentation after installation.

Step 5: Confirm No Out-of-Pocket Costs (For Direct-Install Programs)

If you’re in a genuinely no-cost program, confirm in writing that you won’t be responsible for any portion of the cost before work begins. This protects you from misunderstandings about what “free” actually covers.

Tips for Maximizing Your Heat Pump Support and Avoiding Common Mistakes

Don’t Assume the Old $10,000 Grant Is Still Available

This is the most important mistake to avoid in 2026. If you’re planning your retrofit budget around a $10,000 federal grant, recheck current program status immediately — that specific grant closed to new applicants in January 2026.

Verify Which Program Model Applies to You

CGHAP is a no-cost, direct-install model — you don’t pay and then get reimbursed. OHPA and most provincial programs are more traditional rebate/grant models where you may pay upfront or coordinate directly with contractors. Understand which model applies before signing any contracts.

Choose the Right Heat Pump for Your Climate

Not all heat pumps are created equal. Standard air-source heat pumps lose efficiency in cold weather. For most of Canada, you need a cold climate air-source heat pump (ccASHP) rated for operation at -25°C or colder. These systems maintain heating capacity even during the coldest winter nights.

Factor in Long-Term Savings, Not Just Upfront Costs

Even if you don’t qualify for a completely free installation, the long-term savings make this upgrade worthwhile. Homeowners switching from oil heat typically save $1,500–$3,000 per year on heating costs. Over a heat pump’s 15–20 year lifespan, that adds up to substantial savings — often far exceeding any out-of-pocket installation costs. Plus, heat pumps provide air conditioning in summer, eliminating the need for a separate AC unit.

Watch OHPA’s July 31, 2026 Deadline

If you’re in Alberta, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Quebec, or Saskatchewan and heat with oil, this deadline is approaching quickly. Don’t delay your application if you might qualify.

Key Takeaways

• The original Canada Greener Homes Grant (up to $10,000) closed to new applications on January 20, 2026 — don’t budget around it as a currently available program
• The active federal replacement is CGHAP, a direct-install model providing free retrofits (including heat pumps) to low-to-median income households, now available in BC, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, PEI, and Quebec, and including renters as of June 2026
• OHPA offers up to $15,000 for oil-to-heat-pump conversions, with a July 31, 2026 deadline in Alberta, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Quebec, and Saskatchewan
• Ontario’s Energy Affordability Program and Nova Scotia’s HomeWarming remain active, separate provincial options for income-qualified households
• The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) — which replaced the GST/HST credit in July 2026 — pays up to $679/year single, $891/year couple, plus $179/year per child, a 25% increase over the old GST credit (not the much higher figure sometimes cited)
• Cold climate heat pumps (rated to -25°C or lower) remain essential for Canadian winters and are required for most program eligibility
• Homeowners switching from oil heat typically save $1,500–$3,000 annually — one of the highest-return home improvements available

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Canada Greener Homes Grant still available for a free heat pump in 2026?

No. The Canada Greener Homes Grant closed to new applications on January 20, 2026. If you were pre-approved before that date, your application is still being processed, but new applicants cannot access this specific grant. The active federal alternative is CGHAP (Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program), which uses a direct-install, no-cost model for low-to-median income households, and OHPA for oil-heated homes specifically.

Who qualifies for a free heat pump in Canada in 2026?

Low-to-median income households (including renters as of June 2026) in provinces where CGHAP has rolled out — currently British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec — can receive a completely free heat pump installation through the direct-install model. Ontario and Nova Scotia residents can also check the Energy Affordability Program or HomeWarming, which are separate, longstanding provincial options. Oil-heated households can additionally check OHPA, which offers up to $15,000 toward conversion costs (though this is a grant model, not a fully free installation).

How do I apply for heat pump support if I’m not in a CGHAP province yet?

If CGHAP hasn’t rolled out in your province, check your provincial energy efficiency program directly (such as Ontario’s Save On Energy or Nova Scotia’s Efficiency Nova Scotia), and if you heat with oil, check OHPA eligibility with its July 31, 2026 deadline for Alberta, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Quebec, and Saskatchewan residents. Continue checking Natural Resources Canada’s website, as CGHAP is expected to expand to additional provinces throughout 2026.

The free heat pump Canada program landscape looks different in 2026 than it did even a year ago, with the old $10,000 grant now closed and replaced by more targeted, often genuinely no-cost programs like CGHAP and OHPA. Whether you qualify for a completely free installation through your province’s CGHAP rollout or need to explore OHPA or provincial alternatives, understanding what’s actually open right now — rather than what used to be available — is the key to accessing real savings without wasted effort. Explore more money-saving strategies and government benefits on Getwealthy to keep building your financial future.