Planning a heat pump and solar panels? What Ontario's rebate rules say about the order
Home Renovation Savings has separate rebates for heat pumps and for rooftop solar with or without a battery. The program suggests doing the heat pump first, and taking the solar rebate rules out net metering for the life of the system.
Some homeowners plan a heat pump and solar panels at the same time. Home Renovation Savings, the Ontario program from Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy, has a rebate for each. Here is what the official pages say today.
Two separate upgrades
The program lists heat pumps and solar panels, with or without a battery, as upgrades that do not need a home energy assessment. Each one has its own rules, its own pre-approval and its own rebate.
Why the heat pump comes first
The solar FAQ is direct about this. If you plan upgrades that may raise your home's average energy use, such as a hot tub, a heat pump or an EV charger, the program recommends finishing them before you join the solar program and size your panels.
The reason is in the sizing rules. Rebated solar must be sized for load displacement. That means the electricity it makes is used only to meet your home's own needs. The program says the array should ideally match your home's typical energy use, and a heat pump changes that number.
What the solar rebate pays
- Solar panels: $1,000 per kW, up to 50% of total costs, to a maximum of $5,000. It is not rounded: a 4.84 kW-DC system may get up to $4,840.
- Battery storage: $300 per kWh, up to 50% of total costs, to a maximum of $5,000. The battery must be paired with a new rooftop solar system. A battery on its own does not qualify.
The net metering trade-off
This is the rule to understand before you sign. If you take the solar or battery rebate, you cannot have a net-metering agreement with your local utility, now or later. The participant agreement requires load displacement for the life of the system. The program says you can choose either the rebate or net metering. The Ontario Energy Board explains how net metering works.
Other solar rules
- You must be at least 18, own the home and pay for the system yourself. Third-party ownership is not allowed.
- Panels go on a rooftop. That can include a permanent structure such as a detached garage connected to your home's hydro meter. Ground-mounted systems are not eligible.
- Equipment must be new. Adding to an existing system, including a microFIT project, does not qualify.
- Do not buy or install anything before written pre-approval from the program and approval from your local utility. You also need a connection assessment with the utility and an ESA certificate.
- You may choose your own solar contractor. The program does not keep a list of solar contractors.
New builds can get the solar rebate if the home is occupied when you apply. The heat pump rebate is different: homes occupied for six months or less do not qualify.
The heat pump rebates, briefly
For a cold climate air source heat pump, Home Renovation Savings 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. Installations done before approval are not eligible.
The federal National Heat Pump Rebate is a separate program for heat pumps. Canada.ca says households above the median income may be eligible for $2,000, and those at or below it for up to $10,000. Installs from November 1, 2026 may qualify, and applications open online in early 2027. Details may still change. For more on both, see heat pump rebates in Ontario, explained.
If a heat pump is your first step, our free rebate check can show what your home may get.
This post is based on this article.