Multiple Programs, Potentially Stackable
Ontario homeowners considering a heat pump installation have access to several overlapping rebate and financing programs — and the most important thing to understand is that many of these can be combined. A household switching from oil heat could potentially access the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program (OHPA), the Canada Greener Homes Loan for insulation, and an IESO rebate all within the same project — each from a different funding source, each applying to a different portion of the costs.
This page summarizes each major program. Click through to the detailed pages for application requirements and process specifics.
Program 1: Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program (OHPA)
Amount: Up to $15,000 (non-repayable grant)
Who it's for: Homeowners currently heating with oil who are switching to an eligible heat pump
Administered by: Natural Resources Canada
OHPA is the single largest heat pump grant available to rural Ontario homeowners who use oil heat. Given that a significant portion of Renfrew County's older housing stock relies on oil furnaces and boilers, this is the program most homeowners in the region should investigate first. The grant directly offsets the cost of purchasing and installing an eligible air-source or ground-source heat pump.
The registered contractor model used by OHPA simplifies the application process compared to other programs — your contractor handles much of the paperwork. Cold-climate air-source heat pumps rated for temperatures well below freezing are the practical choice for the Ottawa Valley climate.
Program 2: Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) — Enbridge Gas
Amount: Rebates vary by measure — heat pump rebates up to approximately $4,800+
Who it's for: Enbridge Gas natural gas customers in Ontario
Administered by: Enbridge Gas
HER+ provides upfront rebates for heat pump installations alongside other energy efficiency measures. The program requires a pre- and post-retrofit EnerGuide assessment. One key distinction from OHPA: HER+ is targeted at natural gas customers who are switching to heat pumps as a supplement or replacement for gas — not oil customers. For the portions of Renfrew County with natural gas service, this program can be combined with the Canada Greener Homes Loan for a larger package of improvements.
Note that rural areas of Renfrew County not served by Enbridge Gas distribution do not qualify for HER+.
Program 3: Canada Greener Homes Loan
Amount: Up to $40,000 (interest-free, 10-year repayment)
Who it's for: Canadian homeowners in owner-occupied primary residences
Administered by: Natural Resources Canada
The Canada Greener Homes Loan covers heat pumps as an eligible retrofit measure. While OHPA and HER+ provide outright grants, the Greener Homes Loan provides interest-free financing — meaning the money is repaid over ten years but at zero cost of borrowing. For homeowners who have already exhausted grant eligibility but need additional financing for the heat pump itself, electrical upgrades, or complementary insulation work, the loan can fill the gap.
Critically, the Greener Homes Loan can be used at the same time as OHPA — they target different costs (OHPA covers the heat pump; the loan can cover insulation, air sealing, windows, and other retrofits). Pairing a heat pump switch with insulation upgrades is especially valuable in Renfrew County, where well-insulated envelopes significantly reduce the heating load and allow smaller, less expensive heat pump systems to perform adequately.
Program 4: IESO Save on Energy Programs
Amount: Varies by program and measure
Who it's for: Ontario electricity customers (Hydro One in most of Renfrew County)
Administered by: Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)
The IESO's Save on Energy initiative funds various energy efficiency programs delivered through Ontario's local distribution companies. In Renfrew County, the local utility is primarily Hydro One. IESO-funded rebate programs have historically included incentives for heat pumps, smart thermostats, and other measures.
IESO program availability and amounts change frequently — check directly with Hydro One or the IESO Save on Energy portal for current offerings in your area. These programs tend to be less publicized than the federal programs above but can add meaningful rebate value on top of OHPA or Greener Homes Loan funding.
Air-Source vs. Ground-Source Heat Pumps in Renfrew County
Heat pumps extract heat from outdoor air (air-source) or from the ground (ground-source/geothermal). For most Renfrew County homeowners, the practical choice is between the two:
- Cold-climate air-source heat pumps (ASHP): Modern cold-climate models — often called cold-climate or hyper heat pumps — are rated to operate at temperatures as low as -25°C to -30°C. They are less expensive to install than ground-source systems and are well-suited to most Renfrew County properties. These are the most common choice for OHPA applications.
- Ground-source (geothermal) heat pumps: Higher upfront cost due to ground loop installation (either horizontal trenches or vertical boreholes). More efficient year-round and independent of outdoor air temperature. Well-suited to rural properties with land available for horizontal loops. Higher installation cost but very stable performance.
Both types can be OHPA-eligible if they appear on NRCan's approved equipment list. Both require a licensed electrician for the electrical connection — see Electricians in Renfrew County.
The Electrical Requirement
Every heat pump installation requires electrical work. Air-source heat pumps typically require a dedicated 240V circuit. Electrical panel upgrades may be necessary for older homes with smaller panels — a common situation in Renfrew County's older rural housing stock where 100-amp service or older panels were never upgraded.
A Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC) registered with the Electrical Safety Authority of Ontario (ESA) must perform the wiring. An ESA permit and inspection is required. This is not optional — improperly wired heat pumps are a fire risk and can void equipment warranties.
Electrical upgrade costs may be fundable through the Canada Greener Homes Loan as part of a broader retrofit project.
How to Stack Programs Effectively
The maximum benefit scenario for a Renfrew County homeowner switching from oil heat:
- Apply for OHPA — up to $15,000 grant covering the heat pump purchase and installation
- Simultaneously apply for the Canada Greener Homes Loan — up to $40,000 interest-free to fund insulation, air sealing, and electrical upgrades alongside the heat pump
- Check for any IESO/Hydro One rebates active in your area for additional measure rebates
Total potential combined value: significant — and the interest-free structure of the Greener Homes Loan means the repayment is spread over a decade with no financing cost. The energy savings from the upgraded system and insulation often offset a meaningful portion of loan repayments.