Eligible heat pumps for financial assistance
The installation of a heat pump is eligible for financial assistance under the Rénoclimat, Novoclimat Homes and Novoclimat Small Multiple-Unit Building programs and the Transition to Electricity and Natural Gas Dual Energy component of the Chauffez vert program.
Hydro-Québec also offers a financial assistance program for the installation of a heat pump, under certain conditions.
In the Rénoclimat and Novoclimat programs, the heat pump selected must appear on the list of eligible models at the time of installation and all program conditions must be met.
Financial assistance amount
The amount of financial assistance depends on the installed system’s heating output in winter conditions. The more powerful the heat pump is, the higher the amount of financial assistance is.
The specific financial assistance amount available for each model is listed in the list of eligible heat pumps.
Calculation rule
- $50 of financial assistance is granted for every thousand BTUs of heating output at -8°C.
For example:
- An eligible heat pump with a heating output of 10,000 BTUs/h at -8°C qualify for $500 of financial assistance.
- An eligible heat pump with a heating output of 20,000 BTUs/h at -8°C qualify for $1,000 of financial assistance.
Additional information on installation and performance requirements
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the installation conditions and system performance criteria that must be met:
- 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.
The benefits of a heat pump
Heat pumps can be used as a heating system and as an air conditioner. In the winter, a heat pump uses less energy than other heating devices to produce heat. In addition, there are low temperature heat pump models that can heat a home practically year round, even in very low temperatures. However, below a certain temperature or if the system is undersized, another heating system has to take over because the heat pump alone will not be enough.
Merchants often tend to suggest minimum sizing, which is suitable for air conditioning, but not for heating. To obtain the best possible performance from your new heat pump, make sure that it is properly sized, i.e. powerful enough to meet your heating needs.
How to choose the best program
The installation of a heat pump is eligible for financial assistance under various programs. Be sure to choose the program that best suits your needs.
Attention! For the same work to install a heat pump, you cannot get financial assistance from Hydro-Québec’s Efficient Heat Pump program and from another program such as Rénoclimat or Novoclimat.
The Rénoclimat program starts with a visit from an advisor who performs an energy evaluation of your home. The advisor’s evaluation report will guide you in your home renovation work to improve its energy performance. You must register for the program and be visited by the advisor before beginning the work.
New - The Canada Greener Homes Grant also provides financial assistance for the installation or replacement of a heat pump: List of eligible heat pumps in Québec under the Canada Greener Homes Grant.
In Québec, this federal program is available through the Rénoclimat program. 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.
- Consult the Rénoclimat program section for all the details.
The Novoclimat program offers financial assistance to buyers, contractors or developers, depending on the program component, who build a new highly energy-efficient Novoclimat-certified home.
- Consult the Novoclimat program section for all the details.
The Efficient Heat Pump program allows you to have easy access to financial assistance for installing a heat pump. It is important to select a model from the list of eligible heat pumps to do the work. The application for financial assistance must be submitted no later than six months after the date of installation of the heat pump.
- Consult the Efficient Heat Pump program section for all the details.
If you use natural gas to heat your home, you could benefit from financial assistance to convert your natural gas system to a dual-energy system that uses electricity as a primary energy source and natural gas as a backup source.
The procedure varies depending on your current natural gas distributor:
- If you are a Énergir client, go to www.energir.com.
- If you are a client of Gazifère, please note that the deployment of an offer for the installation of a bienergy system is currently being analyzed and could be deployed in the territory of Gazifère in a next phase. You can inform the distributor of your interest in a dual energy system by emailing
info@gazifere.com.
Choosing a contractor
To be eligible, the installation work of a heat pump must be carried out by a qualified contractor who has a licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec, in accordance with current renovation regulations.
Here are some useful links.
- Before purchasing heating or air conditioning systems on the Office de la protection du consommateur website.
- Before hiring a renovation contractor on the Office de la protection du consommateur website.
- Register of licence holders on the Régie du bâtiment (RBQ) website.
Are you a contractor, distributor or manufacturer of heat pumps?
Consult the above list of eligible heat pumps to suggest models that are eligible for financial assistance to your clients.
- 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.
Write to infotechnique@mern.gouv.qc.ca if you have questions about model eligibility.
Questions?
Consult the frequently asked questions on our site to find quick answers to the most common questions, including questions about the temporary measures.
Can’t find the answer to your specific question? Please contact our customer service by calling 1 866 266-0008 or sending an e-mail to renseignements.te@mern.gouv.qc.ca.
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