Incentives for Canadian homeowners: what is open, what has closed
Programs differ by province and change often. Below, Nova Scotia comes first as a detailed example, followed by the federal programs that matter in other provinces, each linked to its official source. Last checked October 22, 2026.
Nova Scotia
Programs that may apply to solar and heat pumps in Nova Scotia, from NS Power, Efficiency Nova Scotia, the federal government and the Halifax Regional Municipality.
| Program | Who | What | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS Power Self-Generating Option (net metering) | NS Power customers who install solar or a battery of 27 kW or less | Surplus is banked as kWh and applied to energy you buy later; on January 1, banked surplus is credited against energy billed that year. No fee. | Open | NS Power |
| Efficiency NS Home Energy Assessment | Homeowners whose home is over six months old and who have not started renovations | An assessment by a Registered Energy Advisor. Recommended upgrades completed within 12 months may qualify for rebates after a final assessment. | Open | Efficiency NS |
| Efficiency NS Moderate Income Rebate | Income-qualified homeowners | May help with upgrades such as heat pumps and insulation; can be combined with Home Energy Assessment rebates. The provincial top-up was reduced in 2026. | Open | Efficiency NS |
| HomeWarming | Income-qualified homeowners | Free assessment and no-cost upgrades, mainly insulation and draft-proofing and, where applicable, a single-zone heat pump. | Open | Efficiency NS |
| Instant rebate, heat pump water heaters | Buyers of eligible models at participating retailers | An instant in-store rebate on eligible heat pump water heaters. | Open | Efficiency NS |
| National Heat Pump Rebate (federal) | Households installing an eligible heat pump; higher support announced for low to median incomes | Announced October 2026. Expected online portal in early 2027, retroactive to eligible installs from November 1, 2026. Detailed rules not yet published. | Announced | Government of Canada |
| Halifax Solar City | Property owners in the Halifax Regional Municipality | Municipal financing for solar, repaid over 10 years through a charge on the property. | Open (HRM only) | Halifax.ca |
| HalifACT Home Energy Upgrade | HRM homes built before 2000 that heat with oil | Municipal financing over 10 years for heat pumps, insulation and electric water heaters, with an energy reduction requirement. | Open (HRM only) | Halifax.ca |
Programs you may still hear about, now closed
Many articles online still mention these. They no longer accept new homeowner applications in Nova Scotia.
| Program | Who | What | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Greener Homes Loan | Homeowners (federal) | Interest-free loan for retrofits. Closed to new applications; approved loans are not affected. | Closed | Natural Resources Canada |
| Canada Greener Homes Grant | Homeowners (federal) | Accepted applications from May 2021 to February 2024. Fully closed. | Closed | Natural Resources Canada |
| Efficiency NS SolarHomes | Homeowners installing solar | Stopped accepting homeowner applications on April 17, 2025. Still open to registered non-profits and charities. | Closed to homeowners | Efficiency NS |
| Efficiency NS Home Heating System Rebates | Homeowners | Closed December 31, 2025. Heat pump support now runs through the Home Energy Assessment and Moderate Income Rebate. | Closed | Efficiency NS |
| Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA), Nova Scotia | Income-qualified homes heated with oil | Stopped accepting new applications in Nova Scotia on July 2, 2026; standby list reviewed only if funding becomes available. | Closed | Efficiency NS |
Power costs keep moving. Your home can move first.
Electricity rates are set province by province, and they change. Nova Scotia is a good example: Nova Scotia Power rates are set by the provincial regulator and have gone up several times in recent years. Producing part of your own power, or heating more efficiently, makes your home less exposed to the next change.
Who sets electricity rates in Nova Scotia?
Since April 1, 2025, NS Power rates are set by the Nova Scotia Energy Board, which took over energy matters from the Utility and Review Board (Province of Nova Scotia). Residential rates rose 6.9% in February 2023 and 6.8% in January 2024 (NS Power). Following the 2026 to 2027 rate decision of March 25, 2026, the residential energy charge has been 19.128 cents per kWh since May 1, 2026, with a monthly base charge of $20.08 and a further change scheduled for January 1, 2027 (NS Power).
In 2022, a proposed monthly charge on new net metering customers was stopped by the province, which then amended the law to protect net metering from new special charges (February 2022 release, April 2022 release).
Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and other provinces
Provincial and utility programs vary from one province to the next, and they change often. Rather than list programs we cannot keep current for every province, we show only federal programs here. Your advisor confirms what applies to your home and your province, and the official page always has the final word.
| Program | Who | What | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Heat Pump Rebate (federal) | Households installing an eligible heat pump; higher support announced for low to median incomes | Announced October 2026. Expected online portal in early 2027, retroactive to eligible installs from November 1, 2026. Detailed rules not yet published. | Announced | Government of Canada |
| Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (federal) | Low to median income homeowners and tenants, in participating provinces only | No-cost retrofits such as insulation and heat pumps, delivered by selected organizations. Households apply through their provincial or territorial program, not to the Government of Canada. | Participating provinces only | Natural Resources Canada |
| Canada Greener Homes Loan (federal) | Homeowners | Interest-free loan for retrofits. Funding is fully committed; new applications cannot be approved. | Closed | Natural Resources Canada |
| Canada Greener Homes Grant (federal) | Homeowners | Accepted applications from May 2021 to February 2024. Fully closed. | Closed | Natural Resources Canada |
Federal programs change too: check the current status on the official page before you plan around one. Last checked October 22, 2026.
How not to miss a program you qualify for
Book the assessment before work starts
Many programs require an assessment before renovations begin; in Nova Scotia, Efficiency NS assessments are for homes where renovations have not begun. Starting first can rule you out.
Check the model before you buy
Rebates usually apply to listed, eligible equipment only. Ask your installer to confirm the exact model against the program list.
Keep every invoice
Rebates, including the new federal rebate, are usually paid after installation, on proof. Keep invoices, permits and the final inspection.
Not sure what applies to your home?
Take the 60-second quiz. A licensed local installer will call and check which programs may apply to your home. Free, no obligation.
Check if your home qualifiesNo door-to-door sales. No pressure. If solar or a heat pump does not make sense for your home, we will tell you.