Heat Pump - FAQ

Yes, all applications for financial assistance, for the installation or replacement of a heat pump, submitted through the Chauffez vert program form before June 2, 2021, will be reviewed and processed as required.

You do not have to submit a second application to Hydro-Québec for financial assistance.

Hydro-Québec is committed to the energy transition and provides, since February 15, 2021, in collaboration with the MERN, financial assistance for the installation or replacement of an eligible heat pump.

Starting on June 2, 2021, an application for financial assistance for a heat pump must no longer be submitted to the Chauffez vert program, but directly to Hydro-Québec.

The list of eligible heat pumps remains the same and the program’s terms and conditions are similar. To learn all the details on this program, visit Hydro-Québec website.

Reminder: Financial assistance for the installation or replacement of an eligible heat pump is also available through the Rénoclimat program. You must then register for the program before beginning the work.

Hydro-Québec’s Efficient Heat Pump Program allows you to obtain financial assistance for the installation or replacement of an eligible heat pump if you meet all program conditions.

If you are registered for the Rénoclimat program, the installation or replacement of an eligible heat pump is also eligible for financial assistance.

Note: The Chauffez vert program no longer provides financial assistance for this type of work. This component of the program is now offered by Hydro-Québec.

You may be eligible for financial assistance if: 

• With the Rénoclimat Program, the model installed currently appears on the list of eligible heat pumps
• With the Chauffez vert Program, you have up to 6 months following the start of your work to submit an application for financial assistance. All the program conditions must be met (see Participant’s Guide in force at the time of the installation).

It is too late to obtain additional financial assistance, which ended on December 31, 2020:

• Rénoclimat: The additional amounts of financial assistance were granted to participants who received or requested their post-work energy evaluation no later than December 31, 2020. 
• Chauffez vert: The additional amounts of financial assistance weres granted to participants who submitted an application for financial assistance no later than December 31, 2020.
• Novoclimat: $1,000 in additional financial assistance was granted to contractors for each Novoclimat home project registered as of November 1, 2019, and begun before December 31, 2020.

No. You must install a complete new system for each housing unit.

The most common reason is when a manufacturer stops production of a specific model of heat pump.

To consult all the performance criteria of the models, go to transitionenergetique.gouv.qc.ca/thermopompe.

The list of heat pumps eligible for financial assistance is based on criteria pertaining to their installation and performance, including the following:

• Mini-split, air-air heat pumps are not eligible.
• Mini-split, air-air heat pumps “with ducts” are now eligible.
• The installation of at least one indoor unit per floor is no longer required. 
• The minimum output of 12,000 BTU/h at +8 °C is no longer required.
• ENERGY STAR^® certification is no longer required. However, the system must be NEEP certified.

Contact infotechnique@teq.gouv.qc.ca for questions regarding the eligibility of a model.
 

As of January 1, 2021, yes. If two complete systems are installed and if they are on the list of eligible heat pumps, complete financial assistance will be paid for each complete system. 

A low temperature heat pump (also known as a "cold climate" heat pump) can heat a home even when the outside temperature is very low. It is an excellent heating solution that is perfectly suited to Quebec's wintry climate.

Like other heat pumps, a low temperature heat pump also provides air conditioning for the home.

Several residential programs offer financial assistance for installing a low temperature heat pump. The model must be included on the list of eligible heat pump models.

Standard heat pump models are unable to meet your heating needs in extremely cold weather and another heating system (such as an electric system) has to take over. Just like its name says, a low temperature heat pump can heat a home even when the outside temperature is very low. It is a heating solution that is perfectly suited to Quebec's climate.

To maximize your heat pump’s performance, make sure that it is properly sized, or in other words, powerful enough to meet your heating needs. Although merchants tend to suggest an ideal sizing for summer weather, it is essential that you choose a model with a larger sizing that can heat your space in winter.

The objective of this change is efficiency. In fact, owners are being encouraged to install systems that deliver a better heating performance. Manufacturers are being encouraged to keep innovating so that heating output at low temperatures continues to rise.

With this change, the financial assistance amounts are divided up more equitably between the small systems (e.g. wall-mounted systems) and the large systems (e.g. central systems).

The models of heat pumps and eligibility criteria differ between the federal program and the Rénoclimat and Novoclimat programs.

Be sure to select a system that is on one of the eligible heat pump lists and meet all of the criteria of the program you have selected.

• List of eligible heat pumps in Québec under the Canada Greener Homes Grant
• List of eligible heat pumps under the Rénoclimat or Novoclimat program

Starting on January 1, 2020, heat pump models that are only ENERGY STAR certified will no longer be eligible for financial assistance from all our related programs.

Consult the list of eligible heat pumps.

• Single package air-air heat pumps are no longer eligible.
• Air-air heat pumps must not be installed outside of the plane of insulation (e.g. in the attic space).
• Mini-split air-air heat pumps “with ducts” are now eligible.
• The installation of at least one indoor unit per floor is no longer required.
• The minimum output of 12,000 BTUs/h at +8°C is no longer required. ENERGY STAR® certification is not required for the system; however, the system must be NEEP certified.

This is the heating output that a heat pump is able to deliver when the outdoor temperature is -8°C. This output is measured for each heat pump model using a standardized test and the test results are published in the AHRI directory.

You should take several variables into consideration, such as:

• the surface area and volume of the house;
• the configuration and orientation of the house;
• the geographical location;
• the type of construction;
• the degree of insulation and air tightness; the dimensions, type and orientation of the windows.

To properly calculate your heating needs, ask a heating profession who is accredited by the Corporation des maîtres mécaniciens en tuyauterie du Québec (CMMTQ). We suggest that you contact more than one professional to check and confirm the answers you receive.