Federal Funding for Heat Pumps Ends in Nova Scotia Next Year

Changes are coming to the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) program, impacting residents of Nova Scotia significantly. The federal funding that has provided rebates of up to $15,000 for switching from oil heating to heat pumps will no longer be available to Nova Scotians starting next year. This decision means that while residents in other provinces, such as Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and British Columbia, can still access funding until the program concludes in 2027, Nova Scotia will end its participation in the OHPA program in 2024.

According to Natural Resources Canada, over 9,000 homes in Nova Scotia have benefited from heat pump rebates in the past three years. The shift away from this funding is particularly concerning for many households. Brodie Sampson, owner of a heat pump company in Nova Scotia, noted that the province ranks as the second highest in Canada for energy poverty. He remarked, “Affordability issues often force Nova Scotia households to choose between spending money on home-heating costs instead of other essentials, like groceries.” Sampson estimated that if his company sold 1,000 heat pumps in a year, 300-400 of those sales would typically come through the OHPA program.

In a recent statement to CTV News, Natural Resources Canada confirmed the impending end of the OHPA program in Nova Scotia. The department indicated that the funding in the province is expected to be fully committed by 2026, though no specific timeline was provided for the program’s conclusion. Customers who have not yet applied for rebates will be added to a standby list should any additional federal funding become available.

Personal Impact on Local Families

The decision to end federal funding for heat pumps has already affected families in Nova Scotia. The Fougere family from Halifax recently transitioned from oil heating to a heat pump, a change they describe as transformative. “This made a real, huge difference for us in many ways,” stated Mike Fougere. The costs involved were substantial, leading them to seek government assistance for the removal of their oil tank, installation of a new furnace, and the addition of a heat pump. The Fougere family received multiple rebates, ultimately reducing their out-of-pocket expenses from an initial $26,000 to just $4,000.

While the federal heat pump program is coming to a close, several provincial funding options will remain available in Nova Scotia. The Nova Scotia Department of Energy has confirmed that low-income households will still be eligible for free energy upgrades, including heat pumps, through the provincial HomeWarming Program. Additionally, all residents can apply for up to $5,000 in heat pump rebates through the province’s Home Energy Assessment Program. Middle-income households are eligible for rebates of up to $15,000 through the Provincial Moderate Income Rebates Program.

The transition away from oil heating to heat pumps represents a significant shift in energy policy for Nova Scotia. As the province grapples with energy affordability issues, the timing of this funding change raises questions about the future heating options available for many families. The impact on home heating choices may be felt acutely as residents no longer have access to federal support for these essential upgrades.