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Get heat back safely first, but don't sign for a replacement until you know whether your province's rebate needs approval before installation. Almost all rebates now go to heat pumps, not furnaces. The federal National Heat Pump Rebate is built for failed systems, but it isn't open yet.
See what you can get for your home, right now
Answer four questions. The results flag every program that needs pre-approval or an assessment before work starts.
- Heat pumps
- Furnaces & boilers
About a minute · no account · independent, not the government
Today: stay safe and get some heat
- Gas smell or a carbon monoxide alarm: get everyone out and call your gas utility or 911 from outside.
- No heat, no smell: call a licensed heating contractor for a diagnosis and a repair price. Ask whether the repair is safe for one more winter.
- Space heaters: use ones with tip-over and overheat shut-off, plugged straight into the wall, away from curtains and bedding.
Repair, a new furnace, or a heat pump?
A new gas furnace usually costs $4,000 to $6,500 (RBC, May 2024). A cold-climate heat pump costs more, $10,000 to $19,000 (RBC, May 2024), but it also cools and it is what most rebates pay for. A dual-fuel system keeps a furnace for the coldest days.
| System | Typical installed cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Natural gas furnace, installed | $4,000 to $6,500 | RBC (citing FurnacePrices.ca), May 2024 |
| High-efficiency natural gas furnace | $4,000 to $7,000 | RenoQuotes, Sept 2026 (installer estimate) |
| Cold-climate air-source heat pump, whole home | $10,000 to $19,000 | RBC (citing CBC), May 2024 |
| Dual-fuel system (heat pump plus furnace) | $9,000 to $18,000 | RenoQuotes, Sept 2026 (installer estimate) |
Typical installed costs: furnace, heat pump and dual fuel
Typical ranges before rebates and tax, not quotes. Your price depends on the home, the ductwork and the equipment. Ask for at least two written quotes.
Compare them side by side: heat pump vs furnace, dual fuel vs all-electric, and gas vs electric furnace.
Which rebates need approval before you install
This is the rule that matters most in an emergency. Some programs let you claim after installation within a deadline; others pay only if you were approved first. The table lists the main province-wide rebates.
Province-wide heat pump rebates: approval before installing, from our program database
Full list, including city programs: can I get a rebate after installation?
The federal rebate made for failed furnaces
The National Heat Pump Rebate was announced on October 8, 2026. Its record says it is designed for homeowners replacing a heating system that has broken down or is near the end of its life, with online approval expected within 24 hours and no energy audit.
It isn't open, has no launch date, and the government hasn't said whether a heat pump installed before launch will qualify. Don't go without heat waiting for it. Read what we know so far.
Free or low-cost replacements if your income qualifies
Before you pay anyone, check these. Some replace the heating system at no cost; others are by invitation or have waiting lists.
- Last verified October 12, 2026OpenUtilitySaskatchewan
SaskEnergy Heating Affordability Program
A free 96% efficient natural gas furnace, installed, for income-qualified homeowners whose furnace was made in 1999 or earlier; by invitation after SaskPower's Energy Assistance Program, for up to 50 homes until January 31, 2027.
Free furnace replacement
Free upgrade - Last verified October 12, 2026OpenProvincialOntario
Energy Affordability Program
Income-qualified Ontario electricity customers can get free energy upgrades. These range from free saving kits to a full home visit that can include new appliances, insulation, draft-proofing and, for electric or oil-heated homes, a cold-climate heat pump.
Free upgrades (no cost to eligible households)
Free upgrade - Last verified October 12, 2026OpenProvincialManitoba
Efficiency Manitoba Energy Efficiency Assistance Program
Free insulation, free heat pumps for electrically heated homes, low-cost furnace upgrades and other help for income-qualified Manitoba homeowners and renters.
Free upgrades for eligible households, plus a $5,000 boiler rebate and $300 per window or door
Free upgrade - Last verified October 12, 2026OpenUtilityBritish Columbia
Energy Conservation Assistance Program
Free home energy evaluation and no-cost installation of upgrades such as heat pumps, insulation and draft-proofing for income-qualified B.C. households.
Free upgrades (no cost to eligible households)
Free upgrade - Last verified October 12, 2026OpenProvincialNova Scotia
HomeWarming
Lower-income Nova Scotia homeowners can get a free home energy assessment and free upgrades such as insulation, draft-proofing and heat pumps, installed by contractors that Efficiency Nova Scotia arranges.
Free upgrades (no cost to eligible homeowners)
Free upgrade - Last verified October 12, 2026OpenUtilityNewfoundland and Labrador
TakeCharge Greener Homes Program
A new income-tested program that pays for home energy assessments, a mini-split heat pump, an HRV, insulation and air sealing at no cost to eligible households, including tenants through their landlords.
Free upgrades (up to 100% of approved costs)
Free upgrade - Last verified October 12, 2026OpenFederalCanada-wide
Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program
Federally funded, no-cost home energy upgrades for low- and median-income homeowners and tenants. You apply through your province's or utility's partner program, not through Ottawa.
Upgrades at no cost to eligible households
Free upgrade
Step by step
- Make the home safe and get a repair diagnosis.
- Run the rebate finder for your address and note which programs need pre-approval.
- Get two or three quotes: at least one for a heat pump and one for a furnace. Ask each installer which programs they are registered with.
- Ask the installer to file any pre-approval the same day, and get the approval in writing before work starts.
- Keep every invoice, model number and photo of the equipment nameplate for the claim.
Get up to 3 heat pump or furnace quotes
Free, no obligation. We pass your request to up to 3 independent installers who serve your area and, where a program requires it, are registered with it.
- 1. Your project
- 2. Your contact details
- Installers checked against your program’s contractor list, where it has one
- Installers pay us, never you
- Sent to up to 3 installers who serve your area. We don't sell or rent lists.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
Last updated . Amounts and rules come from the official program pages below. If something has changed, please tell us.
- 1National Heat Pump Rebate · Government of Canadacanada.ca
- 2Home Renovation Savings Program · Save on Energyhomerenovationsavings.ca
- 3LogisVert Efficient Homes Program · Hydro-Québechydroquebec.com
- 4Efficiency Manitoba Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump Rebate · Efficiency Manitobaefficiencymb.ca
- 5SaskEnergy Heating Affordability Program · SaskEnergysaskenergy.com
- 6SaskEnergy Residential Equipment Replacement Rebate Program · SaskEnergysaskenergy.com
- 7Energy Affordability Program · Save on Energysaveonenergy.ca
- 8BetterHomesTO Furnace Upgrade Program · City of Toronto, with Toronto Hydrotoronto.ca
- 9RBC, Heat pump vs furnace: 5 things to consider (May 2024)rbcroyalbank.com
- 10RenoQuotes, Furnace replacement cost in Canada (Sept 2026)renoquotes.com
Keep reading
Heat pumps · Federal · 7 min read
Should you install now or wait for the National Heat Pump Rebate?
The federal rebate isn't open and has no launch date. When waiting is worth it, whether early installs count, and how to be ready on day one.
Heat pumps · Stacking · 6 min read
Can you stack heat pump rebates? How to combine them
Often, yes. The exclusions, worked examples by province and the order to apply in, so two programs don't cancel each other out.
Heat pumps · Ontario · 9 min read
HRSP heat pump rebate by heating fuel: $7,500 vs $2,000
Why gas-heated Ontario homes get up to $2,000 for a heat pump and other homes up to $7,500, and when the HRSP assessment track pays more.
Heat pumps · Consumer protection · 5 min read
Heat pump rebate scams: how to spot them in Canada
Real rebate programs don't knock on your door, cold-call you or charge a fee to apply. The warning signs, and what to do if you were targeted.