Which Nova Scotia rebate is for you?
| If you… | Look at | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Need help paying this winter's heating bill | HARP (Province of NS) | $400 last winter; 2026–27 opens Oct 1 |
| Own your home, any income | Home Energy Assessment | Up to $5,000 |
| Moderate income, heat with oil, propane or wood | HEA + Moderate Income Rebate | Up to $10,000 |
| Lower income homeowner | HomeWarming | Free upgrades |
| Electric water tank that's getting old | Instant Rebates | $800 off a heat pump water heater |
| Electric heat, old dial thermostats | Free Product Installation | Free smart thermostat, installed |
| Heat with oil and hoped for OHPA | OHPA | Closed July 2, 2026 |
Nova Scotia heating rebate (HARP) 2026: dates and who qualifies
The Heating Assistance Rebate Program is run by the Province of Nova Scotia, not by Nova Scotia Power. It helps lower-income households with the cost of heating.
- When: Applications for the 2026–27 winter open October 1, 2026. Last season ran October 1 to March 31.
- How much: $400 per household for 2025–26. The province hadn't posted the 2026–27 amount when we checked, so confirm it when applications open.
- Income limits (2025–26): net income up to $30,000 for a single person, or combined net income up to $45,000 for a family. People on the Guaranteed Income Supplement or income assistance could also qualify.
- Renters count. If you rent and pay for your own electric heat, you can apply with a landlord declaration form. Firewood users have their own forms too.
- How to apply: online on the HARP application page, or on paper at Access Nova Scotia centres and MLA offices. Payment comes by direct deposit (if you're set up with the CRA) or cheque.
How to check your heating rebate status
Already applied? You can check your HARP status online at harp.novascotia.ca. You'll need your application confirmation number and your postal code. The province says it usually takes 8 to 10 weeks to get your rebate. It can take longer if they need more papers from you or if there's a mistake on the form. (Province status page)
Waiting on an Efficiency Nova Scotia rebate instead (heat pump, insulation)? That's a different program. Those cheques come after your final home assessment. Contact Efficiency Nova Scotia, not the HARP line.
Is there a Nova Scotia Power rebate in 2026?
People often search "NS Power rebate," but Nova Scotia Power doesn't run the main rebates. Upgrade rebates come from Efficiency Nova Scotia. Heating bill help comes from the province through HARP. Your power rate is still worth knowing: Nova Scotia Power's residential energy charge is 18.324 cents per kWh in 2026, rising to 19.067 cents on January 1, 2027, plus a $20.08 monthly base charge. That high rate is why cutting electric use pays off faster here than in most provinces.
Nova Scotia heat pump rebate 2026
Yes, there's still one, but it's smaller than before. Through the Home Energy Assessment:
- $300 per ton for a ductless mini-split
- $500 per ton of newly added capacity for a centrally ducted heat pump
- $600 per ton for geothermal
The model must be on Efficiency Nova Scotia's list and installed by a certified technician. Replacing an old heat pump doesn't qualify. Moderate-income homes that don't heat mainly with electricity can add more through the Moderate Income Rebate.
Honest math: a 2-ton ductless unit earns about $600 through the assessment, and the visit costs $199. It's still worth it if you also do insulation or a water heater, since those rebates stack under the same $5,000 cap. Compare top-rated local installers, ranked by Google reviews: Halifax heat pump installers · Cape Breton heat pump installers.
Heat pump water heater rebate: Halifax and Cape Breton
It's $800 for an ENERGY STAR heat pump water heater, taken off at checkout at participating retailers. If you didn't get it in store, you can claim it through a Home Energy Assessment. It's the same across the province, including Sydney and the rest of Cape Breton. Full guide: heat pump water heaters in Nova Scotia.
Everything else you can still claim
HomeWarming
For lower-income homeowners: free assessment, plus free insulation, draft-proofing and sometimes a heat pump. After-tax income limit is $30,187 for 1 person, $57,075 for 2–4 people, $79,163 for 5 or more. Expect a wait. HomeWarming →
Insulation
Attic to R-50: up to $750. Exterior walls: up to $1,500. Basement walls: up to $1,200. Crawlspace: up to $960. Paid on how much of the area you insulate.
Windows, Air Sealing, HRV
$30 per ENERGY STAR window or door opening, $200 for hitting your air-sealing target, $300 for a certified HRV or ERV.
Smart Thermostat
Electrically heated homes can get one installed free through Free Product Installation. Or take $45 off at checkout on a thermostat made for electric heat.
Solar
SolarHomes closed to homeowners April 17, 2025. Halifax's Solar City is financing (a loan on your tax bill), not a rebate. Got a quote anyway? Run it through our solar quote checker.
Battery / EV Charger
We found no Nova Scotia rebate for home batteries or home EV chargers in September 2026.
Moderate Income Rebate limits (after tax): $37,260 for 1 person, $77,050 for 2, $98,900 for 3, $120,750 for 4, $126,500 for 5 or more. Homes heated mainly with electricity can't get it. You must be pre-approved before any work starts.
What closed, and when
- Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) closed to new applicants July 2, 2026. People already on the standby list may still be reviewed if money frees up.
- Home Heating System Rebates closed December 31, 2025.
- SolarHomes stopped taking homeowner applications April 17, 2025.
- Canada Greener Homes Grant and Loan are both closed.
- After OHPA ended, the Moderate Income Rebate was cut from $10,000 to $5,000. If you see "$15,000 for moderate income," that's the old number.
What to do next
- Heating bill help: apply for HARP on or after October 1, 2026. Keep your confirmation number to check status.
- Upgrades: if you might qualify for HomeWarming or the Moderate Income Rebate, apply first, before booking anything.
- Book a Home Energy Assessment ($199, free if you're approved for an income program). Don't start work before it.
- Get quotes. Compare top-rated local installers, ranked by Google reviews. It's free for homeowners.
- Finish the work within 12 months, then book your final assessment.
Common questions
Read the questions and answers
When does the Nova Scotia heating rebate open for 2026?
The Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP) takes applications for the 2026-27 winter starting October 1, 2026. Last season it paid $400 per household and ran from October 1 to March 31.
How do I check my heating rebate status in Nova Scotia?
Go to the HARP check-status page at harp.novascotia.ca and enter your application confirmation number and postal code. The province says rebates usually take 8 to 10 weeks.
Who qualifies for the heating assistance rebate?
For 2025-26, single people with net income up to $30,000 and families with combined net income up to $45,000 could qualify, as could people on the Guaranteed Income Supplement or income assistance. Renters who pay for their own electric heat can apply too. Check the 2026-27 rules when applications open.
Is the Nova Scotia heat pump rebate still available in 2026?
Yes, but it's smaller. Any homeowner can get $300 per ton for a ductless heat pump or $500 per ton for a ducted one through the Home Energy Assessment. Moderate-income homes that don't heat with electricity can get more. The oil-to-heat-pump grant (OHPA) closed July 2, 2026.
Can I still get a free heat pump in Nova Scotia?
Maybe, if your income is low enough. HomeWarming offers free upgrades, which can include a heat pump, for lower-income homeowners. The after-tax income limit is $30,187 for one person and $57,075 for 2 to 4 people. Expect a wait.
Is there a heat pump water heater rebate in Nova Scotia?
Yes. It's $800 for an ENERGY STAR heat pump water heater, taken off at checkout at participating stores, or claimed through a Home Energy Assessment. It's the same in Cape Breton and Halifax.
Is there still a solar rebate in Nova Scotia?
Not for homeowners. SolarHomes stopped taking homeowner applications on April 17, 2025.
More on Nova Scotia rebates
- What happened to Nova Scotia's heat pump rebate
- Heat pump water heaters in Nova Scotia
- Ways to cut your energy bill in Nova Scotia
Watch out for rebate scams
Open this section
Efficiency Nova Scotia says contractors will never ask for your ID, banking details or a void cheque, and can't approve your application. What to watch for at your door →
Sources, checked September 28, 2026: Province of NS: HARP, HARP 2025-26 news release, HARP status check, Efficiency Nova Scotia HEA Rebate Guide (Aug 2026), Moderate Income Rebate, HomeWarming, OHPA, Instant Rebates, SolarHomes, NS Power 2026 tariff. By Sam Menard.