Home Energy Assessment Program
Run by Efficiency Nova Scotia (EfficiencyOne) · Also called HEA
Through the Home Energy Assessment Program, homeowners in Nova Scotia can get up to $1,500 for above-grade exterior wall insulation, and up to $800 for a heat pump water heater. You need an energy assessment before any work starts.
Up to
$1,500
for above-grade exterior wall insulation
A typical 3-ton system: about $1,500
- Program maximum: $5,000
Verified
You apply on efficiencyns.ca
At a glance
| Maximum amount | $5,000 CAD (2026)Up to $5,000 |
|---|---|
| Funding type | Rebate |
| Status | Open |
| Who can apply | Homeowners |
| Energy assessment required | Yes, before you start |
| Income-tested | No |
| Deadline | No end date published |
| Where | Nova Scotia |
| Level | Provincial |
| Run by | Efficiency Nova Scotia (EfficiencyOne) |
| Official page | efficiencyns.ca/programs-rebates/home-energy-assessments |
| Last verified | |
| Verified by | Sajjad P. |
| Confidence | HighEvery figure matches the official program pages. |
Home Energy Assessment Program. RebateHub.ca, https://rebatehub.ca/rebates/ns-home-energy-assessment#key-facts. Last verified October 12, 2026. Official source: https://www.efficiencyns.ca/programs-rebates/home-energy-assessments
What you can get
| Upgrade | What you get | Up to |
|---|---|---|
| Ductless mini-split heat pump (new added capacity)$300 per tonMust be on Efficiency Nova Scotia's heat pump list and installed by a certified RACM; replacement heat pumps and ducted or compact-ducted mini-splits are not eligible | $300 per ton | Varies |
| Centrally ducted air-source heat pump$500 per tonBased on newly added capacity; must be on the heat pump list | $500 per ton | Varies |
| Geothermal heat pump (closed or open loop)$600 per tonMust meet the guide's COP requirements; DX, water-to-water and brine-to-water systems are excluded | $600 per ton | Varies |
| Heat pump water heater (ENERGY STAR)$800Not available if the unit already received an Efficiency Nova Scotia instant rebate at purchase | $800 | $800 |
| Attic insulation to R-50$25 to $750Depends on starting R-value and share of area; insulate at least 20% of the area | $25 to $750 | $750 |
| Flat roof or cathedral ceiling insulation (to R-20 or R-28)$50 to $750Depends on starting R-value and share of area; insulate at least 20% of the area | $50 to $750 | $750 |
| Above-grade exterior wall insulation$180 to $900 (add R-3.8 to R-7.4) or $300 to $1,500 (add R-7.5+)Insulate at least 20% of the area | $180 to $900 (add R-3.8 to R-7.4) or $300 to $1,500 (add R-7.5+) | $1,500 |
| Exposed floor insulation (add R-20+)$200Insulate 100% of the area, minimum 120 sq. ft. | $200 | $200 |
| Basement wall insulation$120 to $600 (add R-10 to R-22) or $240 to $1,200 (add R-22+)Insulate at least 20% of the area | $120 to $600 (add R-10 to R-22) or $240 to $1,200 (add R-22+) | $1,200 |
| Basement wall header (add R-20+)$120 to $150Insulate at least 80% of the area | $120 to $150 | $150 |
| Crawlspace walls and header$480 (add R-10 to R-22) or $960 (add R-22+)Insulate 100% of the area | $480 (add R-10 to R-22) or $960 (add R-22+) | $960 |
| Floor above crawlspace (add R-24+)$240Insulate 100% of the area | $240 | $240 |
| Basement slab (add R-3.5+)$100 to $200Insulate at least 50% of the area | $100 to $200 | $200 |
| Air sealing to the advisor's target$200 | $200 | $200 |
| Heat or energy recovery ventilator (HVI certified)$300 | $300 | $300 |
| ENERGY STAR window or door replacement$30 per rough openingENERGY STAR stickers must stay on until the final assessment | $30 per rough opening | Varies |
| Wood or pellet stove$500 per unitWETT installation or inspection required; replacing working equipment is not eligible | $500 per unit | $500 |
| Wood or pellet boiler or centrally ducted furnace$1,000 per unitWETT installation or inspection required | $1,000 per unit | $1,000 |
What a typical home gets
| Heat pump | 2 tons | 3 tons | 4 tons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ductless mini-split heat pumpnew added capacity | $600 | $900 | $1,200 |
| Centrally ducted air-source heat pump | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,000 |
| Geothermal heat pumpclosed or open loop | $1,200 | $1,800 | $2,400 |
How it works
A registered energy advisor from one of Efficiency Nova Scotia's delivery partners visits the home, measures insulation levels, air leakage and mechanical systems, and produces an EnerGuide rating plus a prioritized renovation report.
Homeowners then have 12 months from the first visit to finish whichever upgrades they choose and book a final assessment with the same advisor. Rebates are calculated from what the advisor verifies and are mailed roughly 90 days after the final visit.
Eligible work includes heat pumps (rebated per ton of new capacity), attic, wall, basement and crawlspace insulation, air sealing, heat or energy recovery ventilators, ENERGY STAR windows and doors, heat pump water heaters and certified wood or pellet appliances. The provincial total is capped at $5,000 per participation.
Who qualifies
- You own the home in Nova Scotia (proof of ownership such as a property tax bill is required)
- Home is at least six months old and connected to the North American electricity grid (off-grid homes are excluded)
- Home is livable with finished walls and roof and a working automated heating system
- Eligible homes include single and semi-detached houses, row houses, mobile homes on permanent foundations, moored floating homes, low-rise multi-unit buildings and mixed-use buildings that are at least 50% residential; some buildings of up to six units qualify (call Efficiency Nova Scotia)
- Upgrades must be new, bought in Canada, and purchased and installed between the initial and final assessments
How to apply
Step 1: If your household may qualify on income, first apply for the Moderate Income Rebate so the assessment fee can be waived
Step 2: Book an initial assessment with an Efficiency Nova Scotia delivery agent partner ($199 fee unless waived)
Step 3: Review the renovation upgrade report and hire contractors for the upgrades you choose; keep all invoices
Step 4: Within 12 months, book a final assessment with the same partner
Step 5: Receive the rebate cheque about 90 days after the final assessment
Get quotes from Nova Scotia installers
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.
Book an energy assessment
Many rebates need an EnerGuide assessment before any work starts. We'll pass your request to up to 2 energy advisors who serve your area. Free to ask, no obligation; the advisor quotes their fee, and some programs rebate part of it.
- 1. Your project
- 2. Your contact details
- Book it before you sign any contract. Work done before the assessment can disqualify you.
- Energy advisors pay us, never you
- Sent to up to 2 installers who serve your area. We don't sell or rent lists.
Stacks with HEA
The program says these can be combined with it for the same home. Check each one’s rules for the same upgrade before you count on both.
- Last verified October 12, 2026OpenProvincialNova Scotia
Moderate Income Rebate
Moderate-income homeowners who heat mainly with oil, propane or another non-electric fuel can get a free home energy assessment and up to $5,000 in extra rebates on top of the regular Home Energy Assessment rebates.
$5,000
max rebate, income-qualified
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$2,000
max rebate
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max discount
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Sources
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