Heat pump rebates anchor $2-billion retrofit plan

The federal government says its $2-billion retrofit plan will support one million home retrofits across Canada.

• Heat pumps: Eligible below-median-income households can receive up to $10,000; other eligible households can receive $2,000. The rebates can be combined with provincial programs. The program aims to help up to 820,000 households, with approvals within 24 hours and no energy audits required.
• Apartment buildings: The plan aims to support retrofits in 280,000 units over eight years. CMHC financing is expected to cover up to 250,000 additional units, while the Canada Infrastructure Bank will support 30,000 units. The government is also renewing the Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative.

The government estimates the measures will reduce emissions by more than 25 megatonnes. It says heat pumps will save households currently using oil or electric baseboards an average of $1,400 a year.