Heat pumps in Ottawa
Cold-climate heat pump installation for Ottawa homes, sized for our winters, with the 2026 rebates explained in plain language.
Quick answer
Yes. Cold-climate heat pumps keep heating down to −30 °C, colder than Ottawa's design temperature of about −25 °C. In 2026, Ottawa homes heated with Enbridge gas can get $500 per ton up to $2,000 back through Home Renovation Savings, and homes heated with electricity, oil or propane up to $7,500.
Ottawa is one of the coldest capital cities in the world, so the question we hear most is simple: will a heat pump actually keep my house warm in January? A correctly sized cold-climate heat pump will. This page covers how heat pumps perform in Ottawa winters, the rebates Ottawa homes can get in 2026, and what decides the cost of an Ottawa heat pump installation.
Based in Ottawa. Independent, not affiliated with any program. Canadian Energy Standard is a private home energy company with its office in Ottawa, not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Ontario, Home Renovation Savings, Enbridge Gas, Save on Energy, the IESO, Hydro Ottawa, the City of Ottawa or Enbridge Sustain. Rebate applications go through each program and its registered contractors, and the program decides who qualifies. If your project needs a registered contractor, we can connect you with a licensed one. Any rebate amounts we mention are estimates, as listed by Home Renovation Savings on October 18, 2026.
Do heat pumps work in Ottawa winters?
Yes, if you choose a cold-climate model. Ottawa's heating design temperature, the cold-day figure installers size systems against, is about −25 °C. The cold-climate air-source heat pumps we install keep heating down to −30 °C, so they cover nearly every hour of an Ottawa winter.
Output does drop as it gets colder, which is why sizing matters. We work from a heat-loss calculation for your house, not its square footage, so the heat pump is matched to what your home needs on a cold January night.
For the coldest snaps there are two common set-ups:
- Hybrid (dual fuel). The heat pump does most of the heating and your gas furnace takes over automatically below a set temperature. This is the most common choice for gas-heated Ottawa homes.
- All-electric. The heat pump heats the home on its own, with electric backup heat built into the indoor unit for extreme cold. This suits homes moving off oil, propane or electric baseboards.
Heat pump rebates for Ottawa homes in 2026
Ottawa homeowners can apply through Ontario's Home Renovation Savings program, run by Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy. Heat pumps are in the no-assessment stream, so you don't need a home energy assessment first. The rebate depends on how your home is heated today:
| Your Ottawa home is heated with | Cold-climate air-source | Ground-source |
|---|---|---|
| Enbridge natural gas | $500 per ton, up to $2,000 | $3,000 |
| Electricity, oil, propane or wood | $1,250 per ton, up to $7,500 | $2,000 per ton, up to $12,000 |
| Rented heat pump (any fuel) | $500 per ton, up to $2,000 | $3,000 |
- Pre-approval comes first. A participating contractor applies before installation. A heat pump installed before approval doesn't qualify.
- The model must be listed. Air-source units must be on Natural Resources Canada's cold-climate list.
- It's paid by size. A 3-ton system in a gas-heated home works out to 3 × $500 = $1,500. The same system in an electrically heated home is 3 × $1,250 = $3,750.
For the full set of program rules, see our guide to the Home Renovation Savings program, or the heat pump rebate worked examples.
What affects the cost of a heat pump in Ottawa
Every quote is different, because Ottawa's housing ranges from 1950s bungalows in Alta Vista to new townhomes in Barrhaven. These are the things that move the price most:
- Size. Set by your home's heat loss. Insulation and air sealing can shrink the system you need.
- Ducted or ductless. Homes with a forced-air furnace can usually use their existing ductwork. Homes with baseboards or a boiler often suit ductless heads.
- Electrical service. Many older Ottawa homes have 100-amp panels. We check capacity before recommending a system, especially for all-electric set-ups.
- Your furnace and AC. If your air conditioner is near the end of its life, a heat pump replaces it. If your furnace is new, a hybrid set-up keeps it.
Ways to pay for a heat pump in Ottawa
- Pay cash. You pay the full installed price up front. Any program rebate is paid by the program, not by us, and only if a participating contractor applies and the program approves it. This is usually the lowest total cost.
- Financing. Spread the cost while owning the system from day one, subject to lender approval.
- Better Homes Ottawa. The City of Ottawa's loan program has offered low-interest loans for energy upgrades, repaid through your property tax bill. Check current terms with the city before you plan around it.
- Rent or lease-to-own. Programs like Enbridge Sustain spread the cost over 15 years. Read our Enbridge Sustain guide before you sign.
Areas we serve in Ottawa
We work across the City of Ottawa, including Kanata, Barrhaven, Orléans, Nepean, Gloucester, Stittsville, Riverside South, Manotick, Westboro, the Glebe and Alta Vista. See all our service areas.
How an Ottawa heat pump project works with us
- Free phone consultation. A senior energy management consultant reviews how your home uses energy through the year.
- Sizing and a written plan. We size the system, check your electrical service, and explain which program rebates may apply. If you want the Home Renovation Savings rebate, a licensed, program-registered contractor we arrange submits the pre-approval application, and the program decides.
- Installation. Licensed installers: TSSA-registered for gas work and ESA-licensed for electrical work.
New to heat pumps? Start with heat pumps, explained.
Frequently asked questions
Will a heat pump heat my Ottawa home in January?
A correctly sized cold-climate heat pump will. Ottawa's heating design temperature is about −25 °C, and the cold-climate models we install heat down to −30 °C. A gas furnace or electric backup covers the rare colder hours.
How much is the heat pump rebate in Ottawa?
Through Home Renovation Savings, gas-heated homes get $500 per ton up to $2,000 for a cold-climate air-source heat pump. Homes heated with electricity, oil, propane or wood get $1,250 per ton up to $7,500. Ground-source systems qualify for more. Amounts as listed in October 2026.
Do I need a home energy assessment for a heat pump rebate in Ottawa?
No. Heat pumps are in the no-assessment stream of the Home Renovation Savings program. A participating contractor does need pre-approval before the heat pump is installed.
Should I keep my gas furnace with a heat pump?
Often, yes. In a hybrid set-up the heat pump does most of the heating and cooling, and the furnace takes over in the deepest cold. Whether that saves money depends on your gas and electricity rates, which we look at in your consultation.
Is Canadian Energy Standard part of Home Renovation Savings, Enbridge Gas, Save on Energy or Hydro Ottawa?
No. Canadian Energy Standard is a private, independent company. It is not a government agency, utility or program provider, and it is not affiliated with, endorsed by or acting on behalf of Home Renovation Savings, Enbridge Gas, Save on Energy or Hydro Ottawa. To apply, use homerenovationsavings.ca for rebates.
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Get an Ottawa heat pump plan for your home
A senior energy management consultant will review your home's energy use by phone, size the system and show you which program rebates may apply. It's free, with no obligation.