Quick quiz: how rebate programs work
Seven questions that apply almost everywhere. Tap an answer to see why.
How the program works
There are three steps. First, you book an initial assessment. The fee is $199, and Efficiency Nova Scotia waives it for moderate-income households. Second, you do the upgrades the assessment recommends. You have 12 months. Third, you get a final assessment, and the rebate cheque is mailed within about 90 days after it.
Rebates are capped at 100% of the cost of the work, and the total is up to $5,000.
Who can join
Your home must be in Nova Scotia, at least six months old and connected to the grid. You cannot have started renovations before the assessment. If you finish and want to do more later, you can enrol again after six months.
Nova Scotia is different from most provinces here. NRCan lists no licensed service organization for it, so the assessment is booked through Efficiency Nova Scotia itself. If a private advisor offers to help, ask how their work fits this program before you pay.
What each upgrade pays
These amounts come from Efficiency Nova Scotia's August 2026 rebate guide. We could not re-open that PDF this month, so check the current guide before you buy.
- Heat pump: $300 per ton for a ductless mini-split, $500 per ton for central ducted, $600 per ton for geothermal. Replacement heat pumps are not eligible, and the model must be on the program's list and installed by a certified contractor.
- Heat pump water heater: $800.
- Attic to R-50: up to $750. Exterior walls: up to $1,500. Basement walls: up to $1,200. Crawl space: up to $960.
- ENERGY STAR windows and doors: $30 per rough opening.
- Air sealing: $200. HRV or ERV: $300.
- Wood stove: $500. Pellet stove, boiler or furnace: $1,000.
Insulation is pro-rated by the share of the area you insulate. Semi-detached and end units get 75% of the wall and foundation amounts, and middle units get 50%.
Lower income? Look at HomeWarming
HomeWarming gives eligible homeowners upgrades at no charge, such as insulation, draft-proofing and heat pumps, and it includes a home energy assessment. The after-tax household limits we read were $30,187 for one person, $57,075 for two to four people and $79,163 for five or more. You must own the home and live in it. Expect about four to six weeks to hear back after you apply, and long wait times for the work. Efficiency Nova Scotia reviews the limits each spring.
Mistakes to avoid
- Starting renovations before the assessment. The home must have no renovations started.
- Replacing a heat pump and expecting a rebate. Replacement heat pumps are not eligible.
- Buying a model that is not on the program's qualifying list, or hiring an installer who is not certified.
- Waiting past 12 months. The upgrades must happen between the initial and final assessment, inside that window.
- Claiming the water heater twice. The $800 is also an instant in-store rebate at some retailers. The assessment rebate applies only if you did not take the instant one.
A good order for most homes
- Book the assessment before you hire anyone.
- Read the report. Air sealing and insulation often come before a heat pump.
- Get quotes from contractors for the upgrades the report names.
- Finish within 12 months and book the final assessment.
Doing the steps in this order also keeps you eligible, since renovations that start before the assessment are not allowed. Keep every invoice in case the final assessment asks for it.
Not sure whether you are moderate income? Ask Efficiency Nova Scotia when you book. The fee waiver is decided by the program, not by us, and asking costs nothing.
Common questions
How much is the Nova Scotia home energy assessment?
The initial assessment is $199. It is waived for moderate-income households.
How long do I have to finish the upgrades?
12 months between the initial and final assessment.
When do I get the rebate?
Efficiency Nova Scotia mails the cheque within about 90 days of the final assessment.
Can I get a rebate for replacing my heat pump?
No. Replacement heat pumps are not eligible under the amounts in the August 2026 guide.
Where do I find an energy advisor in Nova Scotia?
Book through Efficiency Nova Scotia. NRCan lists no licensed service organization for the province.
More on the federal heat pump rebate
Sources, read October 20, 2026: Efficiency Nova Scotia: Home Energy Assessment rebate guide, August 2026 (PDF), Efficiency Nova Scotia: HomeWarming, NRCan: find service organizations for existing homes.
