What Is The $5 000 Heat Pump Rebate In Nova Scotia?
The $5,000 heat pump rebate in Nova Scotia is part of the federal government’s Greener Homes initiative, which provides grants to homeowners to make energy efficiency upgrades. The goal of the program is to help residents reduce their home energy use and transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. In Nova Scotia, the rebate specifically aims to incentivize homeowners to install efficient electric air source heat pumps, which can provide both heating and cooling. The $5,000 rebate can significantly offset the upfront cost of purchasing and installing a new high efficiency heat pump system. Overall, the rebate program hopes to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs, and help Nova Scotia meet its climate change targets.
What is the Rebate For?
The $5,000 heat pump rebate in Nova Scotia is designed to incentivize homeowners to switch from fossil fuel heating systems, such as oil or propane furnaces, to more energy efficient electric air source heat pumps. With rising fuel costs and growing environmental concerns around burning oil and propane for home heating, the provincial government aims to accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources for residential heating through this rebate program.
By subsidizing a portion of the upfront cost of purchasing and installing a new heat pump system, the rebate makes this energy upgrade more affordable for Nova Scotian homeowners. This helps overcome one of the main barriers to adoption of heat pump technology – the high initial investment compared to conventional furnaces. The rebate covers a meaningful portion of the total cost, so homeowners can start benefiting from lower operating costs and reduced greenhouse gas emissions sooner.
The program intends to phase out old, inefficient fossil fuel furnaces and replace them with modern electric heat pumps that harness renewable energy. This will help Nova Scotia meet its climate action goals and reduce its dependency on imported fuels. The rebate stimulates consumer spending on green energy systems, which also creates jobs and economic growth in the local clean energy sector.
Who is Eligible?
The $5,000 rebate for heat pumps in Nova Scotia is available to homeowners in the province. To qualify, you must own a home in Nova Scotia that is your primary residence. The home can be a detached house, semi-detached home, townhouse, mobile home on owned land, or condominium. Both existing homes and newly constructed homes are eligible. The rebate is only for residential use and does not apply to commercial, industrial, or rental properties.
In addition, your household income must be under specified limits based on the number of people living in your home. For a single person household the limit is $35,000. For a 2-4 person household it is $67,500. And for a 5+ person household the limit is $74,000. You will need to provide proof of income.
Sources:
https://www.efficiencyns.ca/residential/products-rebates/heating-cooling/heat-pumps/
https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-heating-assistance-rebate-heating-assistance-rebate-program
What Heat Pumps Qualify?
The rebate applies to new high-efficiency air source or ground source heat pumps installed in homes in Nova Scotia. Both ductless and centrally ducted heat pump systems are eligible [1].
Specifically, the following types of new heat pumps installed as a primary heating system qualify for the rebate [2]:
- Ductless mini-split heat pumps
- Centrally ducted air source heat pumps
- Ground source (geothermal) heat pumps
The equipment must be Energy Star certified and meet certain efficiency requirements set by Efficiency Nova Scotia to qualify for the rebate. Check their website for the most up-to-date qualifying equipment lists.
Rebate Amount
The rebate amount for heat pumps in Nova Scotia is $5,000. This rebate is offered through the provincial government’s Heat Pump Program, which aims to help residents switch to more energy efficient heating and cooling systems. The program provides a rebate of up to $5,000 per household for installing an eligible heat pump system [1].
The rebate breaks down into two parts:
- Federal government: Up to $5,000
- Provincial government: Up to $1,000 ($500 per ton of capacity)
So a typical home installation would qualify for the full $5,000 federal rebate plus a $1,000 provincial top-up, bringing the total potential rebate to $6,000 [2].
The substantial rebate makes heat pumps an attractive option to help lower energy bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from home heating. With proper installation and maintenance, heat pumps can provide reliable and efficient heating and cooling for Nova Scotian homes.
How to Apply
To apply for the $5,000 heat pump rebate in Nova Scotia, you must complete and submit an online application form through Efficiency Nova Scotia’s website. The application requires the following information:
- Your name, mailing address, phone number, and email address
- Proof of identification such as driver’s license or utility bill
- Heat pump installation date and invoice
- Heat pump make, model, size, and serial number
- Heat pump installer’s name and contact information
You must submit the online application within 180 days of the installation date shown on your invoice. Only installations completed after September 1, 2022 are eligible. Efficiency Nova Scotia may request additional verification such as photos of the installed system. The approved rebate amount will be issued to you in the form of a cheque 6-8 weeks after your application is accepted.
For complete program terms and conditions, review the rebate application form on the Efficiency Nova Scotia website at https://www.efficiencyns.ca/residential/products-rebates/heating-cooling/heat-pumps/. You can also contact Efficiency Nova Scotia at 1-877-999-6035 for assistance with the application process.
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for the $5,000 heat pump rebate is March 31, 2024. This means all applications must be submitted by 11:59pm AST on March 31, 2024 to be eligible for the rebate.
The rebate program opened on April 1, 2022, so applicants have just over two years to purchase and install an eligible heat pump system and submit their application. It’s recommended to submit your application as soon as possible after installation, rather than waiting until the deadline, as rebates are issued on a first-come, first-served basis while funding lasts.
For more details on exact deadlines, review the official rebate program page on the Efficiency Nova Scotia website here.
Rebate Conditions
There are a few terms and conditions for receiving the heat pump rebate in Nova Scotia:
The heat pump must be installed in a home located in Nova Scotia. It must be the primary source of heating and cooling for the home (according to Efficiency Nova Scotia).
The homeowner must own the home where the heat pump is installed. Renters are not eligible for the rebate.
Installation must be done by a licensed contractor or tradesperson. DIY installations do not qualify.
The rebate application must be submitted within 6 months of the installation date along with the required documentation.
Homeowners must keep the new heat pump installed and in use for at least 2 years after installation. If the heat pump is removed or replaced within 2 years, the rebate amount may need to be paid back.
The rebate amount and eligibility requirements are subject to change at any time. Homeowners should verify current rebate details before making any purchase.
There may be additional terms and conditions outlined on the rebate application form that applicants must agree to.
Program Budget
The Nova Scotia government launched a $25 million rebate program in September 2022 to accelerate the adoption of air-source heat pumps in the province. The rebates are administered by Efficiency Nova Scotia. The program provides rebates of up to $5,000 per home to help cover the cost of purchasing and installing an eligible heat pump system. The goal is to help up to 5,000 homes switch from fossil fuel heating systems to more energy efficient heat pumps by 2025 (Efficiency Nova Scotia).
The program is funded through the federal government’s Low Carbon Economy Fund, which provides provinces with funding for projects that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Nova Scotia program aims to reduce up to 25,000 tonnes of carbon pollution annually by 2030.
Conclusion
The $5,000 heat pump rebate program in Nova Scotia is an important initiative to help residents transition to more energy efficient and environmentally friendly home heating. By providing substantial rebates for installing qualifying heat pumps, the provincial government aims to incentivize homeowners to move away from oil and electric based heating which is costly and polluting. The program makes heat pumps, which run on electricity and use much less energy, more affordable for the average Nova Scotian. With the province targeting 80% renewable electricity by 2030, switching to heat pumps will allow homeowners to benefit from green energy sources. The rebate program has a limited budget, so interested applicants should review the eligibility requirements and apply as soon as possible. With the substantial rebates available, now is the perfect time for Nova Scotia residents to pursue heat pump installation and do their part in fighting climate change.
