Looking to make home energy upgrades more affordable? Nova Scotia homeowners who heat their homes with non-electric sources may be eligible for up to $10,000 when combining the Moderate Income Rebate with the Home Energy Assessment Program. About the Moderate Income Rebate: The Moderate Income Rebate is administered by Efficiency Nova Scotia (ENS or Efficiency NS) and provides additional funding of $5,000 on top of the standard Home Energy Assessment. This Efficiency NS Moderate Income rebate is open to moderate-income households who want to feel more comfortable year-round and save money on heating bills. General eligibility requirements for Moderate Income Rebate: You must own the home The home must be your current primary residence The home must be primarily heated with non-electric sources (wood stoves are not considered a primary heating source) Income-based eligibility requirements Moderate Income Rebate: Eligibility is based on net annual household income thresholds (after tax), with thresholds determined by the number of people living in the household: 1 person: $37,260 2 people: $77,050 3 people: $98,900 4 people: $120,750 5 or more people: $126,500 What does the Moderate Income Rebate cover? Central ducted air-source heat pumps Ductless mini-split heat pumps Insulation upgrades Air sealing improvements How to apply for the Moderate Income Rebate: You will require the following documents for your Moderate Income Rebate application: Proof of income Proof of home ownership Once you have gathered your documents, complete and submit. Moderate Income Rebate FAQs: What changes have been made to the Moderate Income Rebate? Beginning February 2026, the provincial Moderate Income Rebate (MIR) top-up has been reduced from a maximum incentive of $10,000 to $5,000. As a result, rebate amounts for individual upgrade measures have been updated. Please refer to Efficiency Nova Scotia’s rebate guide for detailed incentive amounts. The maximum rebate available through the Home Energy Assessment (HEA) program remains $5,000. Homeowners may still combine MIR and HEA incentives, allowing for a total potential rebate of up to $10,000. All program eligibility requirements, delivery processes, and participation guidelines remain the same. Why have Nova Scotia rebate amounts been adjusted? Funding for the federal Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program (OHPA) in Nova Scotia has reached full allocation, with new applications now being placed on standby. The provincial Moderate Income Rebate (MIR) top-up was originally structured to complement the OHPA program while federal funding was available. With OHPA coming to an end, MIR rebate levels have been updated to reflect this change. These adjustments are intended to maintain stable and ongoing access to energy efficiency upgrades for moderate-income households throughout Nova Scotia. Are rebates still available in Nova Scotia for heat pumps and other energy upgrades? Yes. Rebates continue to be offered to eligible homeowners across Nova Scotia. Low- and moderate-income households who are still looking for moderate income heat pump rebates can still access programs such as: HomeWarming Moderate Income Rebates (MIR) In addition, all Nova Scotian homeowners remain eligible to participate in the Home Energy Assessment program. Can Efficiency Nova Scotia rebates still be combined (stacked)? Yes. Eligible participants may continue to combine available incentives, including: Up to $5,000 through the Moderate Income Rebate (MIR) top-up Up to $5,000 through the Home Energy Assessment (HEA) program This allows qualifying homeowners to access substantial combined financial support for approved upgrades. I applied for the Moderate Income Rebate before the rebate changes took effect. How does this impact my application? Applications that have not yet received approval will be evaluated using the rebate amounts in place at the time approval is granted. Your application will remain active, and all existing eligibility requirements and program conditions continue to apply. Applicants will receive direct notification once a decision has been finalized, and application status can also be viewed through the customer portal. Why is the Moderate Income Rebate Nova Scotia program reducing rebate amounts? Updating rebate levels helps extend program funding to support a greater number of moderate-income households while continuing to provide access to energy efficiency improvements. Provincial energy programs have already supported thousands of Nova Scotians in lowering energy costs and improving home comfort, and this support will continue moving forward. Are income eligibility requirements for the Moderate Income Rebate changing? No. Income qualification thresholds remain unchanged. Have any other program details changed? No. Program administration, contractor requirements, eligibility criteria, and application procedures remain the same.
