Key Takeaways
- A Home Energy Assessment ($199, or free if you qualify on income) unlocks most other rebate programs.
- Instant Rebates apply at the till — no application needed. The heat pump water heater rebate alone is $800.
- The Free Product Installation program sends someone to your home at no cost to install a smart thermostat and other devices.
- Oil-heated homes that qualify for both OHPA and MIR can stack up to $20,000 in combined support.
- Programs and amounts change — always verify current details at efficiencyns.ca.
Energy costs in Nova Scotia are among the highest in the country, and yet most homeowners I talk to during inspections have never looked into what Efficiency Nova Scotia (ENS) offers. Some of these programs are substantial — we’re talking thousands of dollars in rebates, free equipment installations, and in some cases grants that cover the bulk of a major upgrade. If you own a home in the Annapolis Valley, this is worth half an hour of your time.
Here’s a plain-language breakdown of the key programs available to residential homeowners.
Start here: Home Energy Assessment
Before looking at rebates, the Home Energy Assessment is where to begin. A certified Energy Advisor comes to your home, identifies where energy is being lost, and gives you a prioritized list of recommended upgrades. The assessment costs $199, but that fee is waived if you qualify under the moderate-income threshold (more on that below).
Completing a Home Energy Assessment also unlocks eligibility for the rebate programs that follow. After you carry out the recommended upgrades, you book a follow-up assessment and receive your provincial rebates within 90 days. Book the assessment, do the upgrades within 12 months, book the final assessment, get paid.
Any Nova Scotia home at least six months old and not yet under renovation is eligible. Book an assessment here.
Instant Rebates — no assessment required
Instant Rebates are the simplest thing ENS offers: buy an eligible product at a participating retailer and the discount comes off at the till. No application, no waiting. Current rebates for homeowners include:
- Smart thermostat for electric heating: $45
- ENERGY STAR® heat pump water heater: $800
- ENERGY STAR® heat pump clothes dryer: $150
- Variable speed pool pump: $200
- Outside clothesline or drying rack: $5
All available year-round. The list gets updated periodically, so check the Instant Rebates page for current eligible models and stores near you.
Free Product Installation — zero cost, professionally installed
This one surprises people every time I mention it. Through the Free Product Installation program, ENS sends a certified installer to your home and leaves behind energy-saving devices at no cost to you. Right now the main feature is a smart thermostat worth up to $160, installed free. ENS says homeowners save an average of 12% on heating and cooling costs after installation — which adds up faster than you’d think.
The program also covers:
- Indoor and outdoor motion sensors
- Solar-powered outdoor security lights
- Humidity sensors for bathroom fans
- Faucet aerators (average savings of $20/year)
- Water-saving showerheads (up to $100/year in savings)
- Thermostatic shower valves
To qualify, your home needs a Nova Scotia Power residential account and your existing thermostat needs to be analog or non-programmable. Worth knowing: participation automatically enrols you in the Eco Shift demand response program, which helps balance grid load during peak periods. Book your free installation here.
Moderate Income Rebate — up to $5,000 for qualifying households
The Moderate Income Rebate (MIR) gives lower- and moderate-income homeowners extra rebate support for efficiency upgrades recommended through a Home Energy Assessment — heat pumps, insulation, that sort of thing.
Income thresholds (after-tax household income):
| Household size | Income limit |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $37,260 |
| 2 people | $77,050 |
| 3 people | $98,900 |
| 4 people | $120,750 |
| 5 or more people | $126,500 |
The MIR top-up was recently reduced from $10,000 down to $5,000, following federal OHPA funding nearing full commitment. The Home Energy Assessment rebate maximum stays at $5,000 separately, so qualifying households can still stack both for up to $10,000 combined. The assessment fee is waived for qualifying applicants, and income eligibility hasn’t changed. Apply online here.
Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program (OHPA) — up to $15,000
This is the largest residential grant ENS administers. The Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program gives qualifying homeowners up to $15,000 to switch from oil heating to an eligible cold climate air source heat pump, covering equipment and necessary electrical upgrades. Approved applicants also get a one-time $250 payment from Natural Resources Canada on top of that.
Income thresholds are the same as the MIR table above. Additional requirements:
- You own your home and it’s your primary residence
- Your home is primarily oil-heated, with at least 500 litres consumed in the past 12 months
- Only approved cold climate models qualify — centrally ducted or ductless mini-split
Note on payment timing: As of June 2025, advanced payments to contractors are no longer issued before installation. Payments go out within 10 business days after installation and submission of close-out documents. If you had a prior advanced payment application, you’ll need to resubmit.
Apply online here or find a qualified contractor here.
Oil-heated homes can stack OHPA with the MIR and the Home Energy Assessment rebate — the combined numbers get meaningful quickly for households that qualify for all three.
Other programs worth knowing
A few others that come up depending on your situation:
- HomeWarming — efficiency upgrades for lower-income homeowners
- SolarHomes — incentives for solar photovoltaic installation
- EnergyForward New Homes — incentives and advice for building an energy-efficient new home
- Eco Shift — reduces electricity use during peak grid periods and pays you for it
Where to start
If you’re not sure which program fits your situation, ENS has a Rebate Finder quiz that narrows it down. You can also call 1-877-999-6035 or email info@efficiencyns.ca.
Programs and rebate amounts change — always verify current details on efficiencyns.ca before making decisions.