Free heat pumps for income-eligible homes: how Save on Energy's Energy Affordability Program works
If your household income is under the program limits and you heat with electricity or oil, Save on Energy may install a cold climate heat pump at no cost. Here is what the official pages say about who qualifies and how to apply.
Rebates lower the cost of a heat pump. For some households, there is a program that covers the whole cost. Here is what the official Save on Energy pages say about the Energy Affordability Program.
What it is
The Energy Affordability Program (EAP) is offered by the IESO through Save on Energy. It is for income-eligible electricity customers, and all upgrades are free of charge.
The program now offers free cold climate air source heat pumps to income-eligible households with electric or oil heating. Save on Energy says everything is free, from assessment to installation. The oil offer is supported by Natural Resources Canada's Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program, and the FAQ says it is available "for a limited time."
Who can get a heat pump
- Electrically heated homes: both homeowners and renters may apply.
- Oil-heated homes: currently, only homeowners with above-ground oil tanks.
- The heat pumps are installed in single-family homes. The final decision comes after an in-home assessment of your home and heating system.
You must own, rent or lease your home and be the primary or secondary account holder on the utility bill. Then you need one of these:
- Last year's before-tax household income at or under the limit: 1 person $48,220, 2 people $68,193, 3 people $83,518, 4 people $96,439, 5 people $107,823, 6 people $118,113, 7 or more $127,576.
- Help from a listed program in the past 12 months, such as the Guaranteed Income Supplement, ODSP, Ontario Works, OESP or LEAP.
Residents of eligible social housing can also qualify.
What is included
- A ductless or ducted heat pump, chosen after the assessment.
- A 10-year parts and labour warranty.
- Follow-up visits at one and two years.
- Removal of the above-ground oil tank, or of old equipment you no longer need.
- A backup heating system built into the setup.
The program may also add insulation and draft proofing to prepare the home.
How to apply
Fill in the online form on the Energy Affordability Program page, or call the number listed there. A delivery agent contacts you within three business days. In the GTA, where postal codes start with L or M, the agent is CLEAResult.
Save on Energy does not endorse door-to-door sales. Its agents never show up unannounced.
If you heat with gas
The EAP heat pump is for electric and oil heat. If you heat with Enbridge gas, the Home Winterproofing Program uses the same application and offers free upgrades such as insulation and draft proofing. You need an Enbridge Gas bill in your name.
How this sits next to the rebates
Home Renovation Savings is the Ontario rebate open now. For a cold climate air source heat pump it pays up to $7,500 in a home heated with electricity, oil, propane or wood, and up to $2,000 in an Enbridge gas-heated home. Pre-approval is mandatory. It does not stack with other incentives from Enbridge Gas, Save on Energy or the Government of Ontario.
The federal National Heat Pump Rebate is separate. Canada.ca says households above the median income may be eligible for $2,000, and those below it for up to $10,000. Installs from November 1, 2026 may qualify, and applications open online in early 2027. It applies only where federal funding has not already been provided for a heat pump at the address. Details may still change.
The official pages do not say whether the EAP can be combined with either rebate. For both rebates, see heat pump rebates in Ontario, explained.
If your income is above the EAP limits, our free rebate check can show which rebates your home may get.
This post is based on this article.