Support to transition from oil heating to heat pumps
The Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia are working together to help low- and median-income Canadian households who are currently heating their homes with oil to make the transition to electric cold-climate heat pumps. The Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) Program provides up to $5,000 to help eligible homeowners make this switch and may be combined with funding from existing federal and provincial programs including the Canada Greener Homes Grant (CGHG) and programs offered by Efficiency Nova Scotia. Meaning homeowners can increase the amount of rebates they receive for heat pumps, if moving away from oil, and can also receive support to upgrade electrical panels.
The OHPA Grant will provide up to $5,000 to cover costs for the purchase and installation of an eligible* Cold Climate air source heat pump, plus:
- electrical and mechanical upgrades required for the new heat pump;
- safe removal and/or decommissioning of the oil tank;
- installation of a back-up electric heating system (as required); and
- switching over other oil-using household systems, such as a hot water heater (where necessary).
Non-eligible costs would include cleanup of any pre-existing oil contamination found on-site at households.
*Only the cold climate air source heat pumps found on this Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps list are eligible under the OHPA program.
Eligibility
Homeowners may be eligible for the OHPA Grant if:
- their home is oil-heated as of January 2023 (this must be demonstrated with copies of their oil fuel bills from the 12 months preceding their application);
- they are the primary resident and owner of a single/ semi-detached home located in Nova Scotia and can provide proof of ownership; and
- their total household income is at or below the maximum annual household income after-tax, as determined by Statistics Canada and outlined in the below chart.
| NUMBER OF PEOPLE LIVING IN YOUR HOME | MAXIMUM ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME (Line 23600 minus line 43500 from your Tax Notice of Assessment) |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $32,400 |
| 2 people | $67,000 |
| 3 people | $86,000 |
| 4 people | $105,000 |
| 5 or more people | $110,000 |
How to Get Started
We recognize that there is a lot of information out there and it can be confusing to navigate the best options for your home. Check out some frequently asked questions about the OHPA Program below.
As of February 22, 2023, Nova Scotians can pre-register for the federal OHPA Program through one streamlined application. Applicants will be required to submit documentation necessary to qualify for the program. Once the OHPA program is fully operational, program staff will verify income information and confirm eligibility before issuing payments to homeowners.
Pre-register for the OHPA program by completing your application here.
*Please note, with the popularity of these programs, we are experiencing high volumes of calls, emails and applications. There are also delays due to contractor and material availability. We are working hard to get as many people through the programs as quickly as possible, but we want our customers to be aware of potential delays.
Not sure if the OHPA program is right for you?
You may have heard about recent additional funding announcements from the provincial and federal governments. To help you navigate what support is available to you use our Energy Assistance Navigation Tool. It will help determine your eligibility and what program and funding support is best suited to meet your needs.