Moderate Income Rebate
Run by Efficiency Nova Scotia (EfficiencyOne) on behalf of the Province of Nova Scotia · Also called MIR
The Moderate Income Rebate is Nova Scotia’s provincial program for heat pumps, insulation, high-efficiency heating and more: up to $1,000 for above-grade exterior wall insulation, and up to $199 for Home Energy Assessment fee. You need an energy assessment before any work starts.
Up to
$1,000
for above-grade exterior wall insulation
A typical 3-ton system: about $4,500
- If your household income qualifies
- Program maximum: $5,000
Verified
You apply on efficiencyns.ca
At a glance
| Maximum amount | $5,000 CAD (2026)Up to $5,000 top-up (up to $10,000 combined with HEA rebates) |
|---|---|
| Funding type | Rebate |
| Status | Open |
| Who can apply | Homeowners, Income-qualified |
| Energy assessment required | Yes, before you start |
| Income-tested | Yes, household income limits apply |
| Deadline | No end date published |
| Where | Nova Scotia |
| Level | Provincial |
| Run by | Efficiency Nova Scotia (EfficiencyOne) on behalf of the Province of Nova Scotia |
| Official page | efficiencyns.ca/programs-rebates/moderate-income-rebate |
| Last verified | |
| Verified by | Rebate Researcher, RebateHub |
| Confidence | HighEvery figure matches the official program pages. |
Moderate Income Rebate. RebateHub.ca, https://rebatehub.ca/rebates/ns-moderate-income-rebate#key-facts. Last verified October 19, 2026. Official source: https://www.efficiencyns.ca/programs-rebates/moderate-income-rebate
What you can get
| Upgrade | What you get | Up to |
|---|---|---|
| Ductless mini-split heat pump$500 per ton (on top of the HEA rebate)Replacement heat pumps and ducted or compact-ducted mini-splits are excluded | $500 per ton (on top of the HEA rebate) | Varies |
| Centrally ducted heat pump$1,500 per ton (on top of the HEA rebate) | $1,500 per ton (on top of the HEA rebate) | Varies |
| Above-grade exterior wall insulation$120 to $600 (add R-3.8 to R-7.4) or $200 to $1,000 (add R-7.5+)Insulate at least 20% of the area | $120 to $600 (add R-3.8 to R-7.4) or $200 to $1,000 (add R-7.5+) | $1,000 |
| Basement wall insulation$75 to $375 (add R-10 to R-22) or $150 to $750 (add R-22+)Insulate at least 20% of the area | $75 to $375 (add R-10 to R-22) or $150 to $750 (add R-22+) | $750 |
| Crawlspace walls and header$300 (add R-10 to R-22) or $600 (add R-22+)Insulate 100% of the area | $300 (add R-10 to R-22) or $600 (add R-22+) | $600 |
| Floor above crawlspace (add R-24+)$150Insulate 100% of the area | $150 | $150 |
| Wood or pellet stove$250 per unitWETT installation or inspection required | $250 per unit | $250 |
| Home Energy Assessment feeWaived ($199 value)Reimbursed with your rebates if you paid it upfront | Waived ($199 value) | $199 |
What a typical home gets
| Heat pump | 2 tons | 3 tons | 4 tons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ductless mini-split heat pump | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,000 |
| Centrally ducted heat pump | $3,000 | $4,500 | $6,000 |
How it works
The Moderate Income Rebate is a provincial top-up layered on the Home Energy Assessment program. Approved households have the $199 assessment fee waived and receive higher per-measure rebates for heat pumps and insulation.
The top-up maximum was cut from $10,000 to $5,000 in 2026 after the federal Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program closed in Nova Scotia; Efficiency Nova Scotia says the MIR had been designed to pair with that federal funding. Combined with the standard HEA rebates, eligible homeowners can still receive up to $10,000.
Homes heated primarily by electricity are not eligible, and wood stoves do not count as a primary heat source. Pre-approval is required before any upgrades start.
Who qualifies
- You own the home and it is your current primary residence
- The home is heated mainly by a non-electric fuel such as oil or propane; electrically heated homes are not eligible and wood stoves do not count as the primary heat source
- After-tax household income at or below: 1 person $37,260; 2 people $77,050; 3 people $98,900; 4 people $120,750; 5+ people $126,500 (line 23600 minus line 43500, combined for every adult 18 and over)
- You must be pre-approved by Efficiency Nova Scotia before starting upgrades and also meet the Home Energy Assessment general criteria
How to apply
Step 1: Apply online with a recent CRA Notice of Assessment for every adult in the household (T1s and T4s are not accepted) and a recent property tax bill or assessment notice
Step 2: Wait for Efficiency Nova Scotia to confirm your approval
Step 3: Book a Home Energy Assessment (fee waived) and follow the HEA steps
Step 4: Finish the upgrades and the final assessment within 12 months to receive both HEA and MIR rebates
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 MIR
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
Home Energy Assessment Program
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A new federal rebate announced on October 8, 2026 that will pay $2,000 toward an eligible cold-climate air-source heat pump, or up to $10,000 for households below the median income. Applications are not open yet.
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Up to $10,000 if income-qualified
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