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Heating Rebate NS – How to Get the Most Out of NS Home Heating Rebates in 2025

29/08/2025

Thousands of Nova Scotians look for smart ways to reduce their bills, find heating they can count on, and get financial help for home upgrades every year. That is why the heating rebate NS 2025 is an important consideration that you can’t afford to ignore if you are a resident of Nova Scotia. There are rebates and grants for just about every type of homeowner and renter. Whether you want to switch to a high-efficiency heat pump, replace that old oil tank or just trim your winter heating bill. See how you can take advantage of heating rebate NS and similar deals in 2025.

The Heating Rebate NS Programs

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The primary heating rebate NS effort is known as the Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP). It is intended to assist low- and modest-income residents in Nova Scotia in paying their home heating bills in the coldest months. New and expanded grants are now available to help you upgrade to modern heat pumps, get rid of an old oil tank and make your whole home energy efficient. There are several types of Heat Pump Rebate Nova Scotia Programs:

  • Efficiency Nova Scotia Home Energy Assessment Program: Receive up to a $5,000 plus rebate on recommended upgrades such as heat pumps.

  • Heating System Rebates: Up to $1,600 for centrally ducted heat pumps, up to $800 for ductless mini-splits. You need to install eligible systems in the last 180 days to be eligible.

  • Moderate Income Rebate: Households are eligible for between $1,000 to $3,000 per ton of air-source heat pump installed, with the maximum rebate being $10,000.

  • Canada Greener Homes Initiative: Federal grants of up to $5,000 for energy retrofits on homes, including heat pumps. Needs a pre & post energy assessment.

Installing a heat-pump system saves you money in the long run, makes your home more comfortable, and reduces your home’s carbon footprint. In other cases, such programs are not combinable. That’s because you’d qualify for 50 percent of your costs for the heating conversion, where you might have been eligible for a total of $10,000 to $30,000 in subsidies to switch from oil to high-efficiency heat pumps. And, as always, be sure to verify with program admins that stacking is allowed in your particular circumstance.

How to qualify for the Heating Rebate NS for 2025

It is good to understand who is eligible for the heating rebate NS. The program is intended to assist the people who need it the most, but you may be surprised at the breadth of eligibility.

So as to qualify for heating rebate NS you should:

  • Pay for your own home heating bills (oil, electric, gas, pellet, coal, wood or whatever)
  • You are one of these income conditions:
  • Live independently with no children or dependents and have 2023 net income that is $55,000 or less (net income after tax)

  • Have a household income (after tax) no greater than $75,000 in 2023 (net of any children, dependents, or other adults in the home)

  • Be in receipt of Income Assistance from the Department of Community Services

  • Get the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or the Allowance through Service Canada

Eligibility is based on whether you are a renter or a homeowner. Current life events, such as widowhood, separation, job loss, or you being a new immigrant to Canada, may also affect whether you are eligible or not.

How to apply for Heating Rebate NS

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Applying for heating rebate NS couldn’t be easier, and most people will everything online to get it done fast. Here’s how you do it:

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Refer to the income and residency eligibility criteria above. If you’re uncertain, check if you’re eligible.

Step 2: Gather Your Documents

Prepare the necessary documents:

  • Social Insurance Numbers (SINs) for all household members who are adults

  • Dates of birth and signatures

  • 2023 Notice of Assessment (CRA) for all household members

  • Evidence of change in marital status (if applicable)

  • Canada Child Benefit form if you have children

  • Proof of citizenship or visa (if you have recently come to Canada)

  • Heating bill or receipt or proof of delivery or payment.

Step 3: Apply Online or in Person

To get the quickest turnaround, you can apply online through the Nova Scotia government portal. Applications can also be made in person at Access Nova Scotia Centres, MLA offices and Community Services offices, or request a paper application by mail.

With heating rebate NS online Application, completing the application is simple as the system walks you through the process and allows you to attach your supporting documents digitally. You'll need to register an email to get notifications and see how things are going.

Step 4: Wait for Approval and Payment

The published processing period for NS heating rebate is normally 8 weeks. The rebate is direct-deposited to you if that is how you receive your tax refund; otherwise, you will receive it in the mail.

Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program (OHPA)

The OHPA (Oil to Heat Pump Affordability) Program vastly changes everything for you, come 2025. You may want to apply for OHPA Nova Scotia if:

  • You have an oil heated home on January 1, 2023.

  • You are the legal owner and occupy as primary residence.

  • Your family's income is less than the specified after-tax amount (for a family of four, this would be $105,000).

You may receive up to $15,000 from the federal and provincial programs. This sum can include the cost to purchase and install a new heat pump, update your electrical system, and dispose of your old oil tank in a safe way. The money is provided up front, so you don’t have to wait long after completing the installation to receive a payment.

The federal component offers a one-time payment of $250 for eligible households that switch from oil heat. Also, there is no need to have an in-home energy audit, so it’s faster and easier. The program pays for the new heat pump system, the removal of your oil tank in a priority order if it is unsafe, necessary upgrades to your home’s electrical system and shutting down other household systems using oil as needed.

Oil Tank Replacement Grant Nova Scotia 

And if your home heating system still relies on oil, the government would like to help you make it safer and more efficient, sometimes with money available to support such changes.

Who qualifies?

Homeowners whose heating oil tank is old, leaking or poses a safety concern.

How much can you get?

Worth up to $7,500 for eligible homeowners, the oil tank replacement grant Nova Scotia offers varies based on the recipient. This grant pays for the tank, components and installation. Older grants awarded up to $1,000, but new versions have grown to accommodate higher environmental and safety standards.

What’s the average cost?

Installing a new oil tank costs an average of $1,200 to $3,200 nationwide, but can be as high as $4,600 for underground tanks. The cost varies according to tank size and type, and whether digging or special insulation is necessary.

How to apply

1. Confirm Eligibility

Before you apply, be sure your household meets the program requirements (including income, primary residency, oil heating consumption and home ownership) by using our eligible tool on Efficiency Nova Scotia.

2. Prepare Documentation

You will want to have records to show that you meet the eligibility requirements in your state for this payment — including the income of everyone in your household — and to show your home burns oil and how much you have used over the past 12 months.

3. Apply Online

Continue your application via Efficiency Nova Scotia national or regional portal.

4. Receive Grant Approval

If accepted, you'll be getting the grant money to finish your project within 6 months from the receipt of the advance payment.

5. Complete Your Project

The grant is for the cost of the eligible heat pump’s purchase and installation, required electrical upgrades and the safe removal of your gas or oil tank

Access through the On-Grid Heating Oil Tank Replacement Program offered by the Nova Scotia Housing Authority or an approved provincial delivery agent. Proof of ownership, proof of the age or condition of the existing tank, and a quote from a licensed installer are likely to be required. In certain circumstances, travel expenses for specialized contractors may be covered if you live in a rural area.

bluetti-apex300

For Nova Scotia homeowners interested in maximizing heating rebates, and building resilience to potential increase in energy costs and harsh weather, a smart heating upgrade with a reliable back up energy system is necessary. The BLUETTI Apex 300 combined with the SolarX 4K, provides a scalable and future-proof energy ecosystem to support programs such as the heat pump rebate or oil tank replacement grant in Nova Scotia.

With an extra-large 2,764.8Wh capacity and 3,840W continuous (7,680W surge) pure sine wave inverter, the Apex 300 powers key circuits and major household appliances in a power outage including your refrigerator, dryer, air conditioner, and medical equipment. Its modular design enables storage expansion to 58kWh and output scaling to 11.52kW, so it is ideal for homes adding more appliances down the road.

When connected to the SolarX 4K, solar charging is quick and versatile with input for 2.4kW, working all the way up to 30kW and it could even fully recharge in about an hour. With industry firsts such as EnerBalance™ AI battery balance, over 6,000 cycles, app-based operation, automatic switchover, and tough LiFePO₄ ruggedness, the BLUETTI Apex power station 300 truly sets you free from the grid. For Nova Scotia residents, it’s a rebate-friendly, economical, and forward-thinking investment in heating and power security.

FAQs

How much can I get from the heating rebate NS in 2025?

You may be eligible for a $600 rebate for your winter heating expenses through the Home Energy Assistance Program. Application dates are, October 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, and this can be stacked with other grants and rebates if one is eligible.

Can I combine heating rebate NS with heat pump rebate Nova Scotia or oil tank replacement grant Nova Scotia?

Yes, there are some rebates and grants that can be stacked ex.ga heat pump grants Nova Scotia, federal schemes also eligible for oil tank replacement grants etc. “All of those particular-program rules, you definitely do want to check and confirm with the administrators to make sure that you maximize your savings.”

For heating rebate NS and other similar programs, do I have to be a home owner in order to be eligible?

No! Anyone residing in Nova Scotia, whether owner or renter, can apply for the heating rebate ns, provided you meet the income guidelines, and you actually make heating payments. Some upgrade grants (such as OHPA) are for homeowners only, but renters are still eligible for the rebate of $600, and perhaps other assistance.

When will I get my heating rebate NS?

The majority of applicants are paid within 8 weeks of providing the correct and complete application. Otherwise, it can delay the process if you don’t include all of the necessary supporting documents, so be comprehensive when you apply.

What exactly am I supposed to provide to apply for oil tank replacement grant Nova Scotia?

That will require a quote from a licensed installer, proof of ownership of the home and proof that your tank has to be replaced because of its age or condition. More proof may be needed for rural families who need contractor travel insurance.

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