Net Zero Free Programs

Installing a heat pump can help you save money on your energy bills and make your home more comfortable. Islanders with an annual household net income of $100,000 or less may be eligible for a free heat pump and electric water heater for their home, and those who heat with oil may be eligible for heat pumps systems and other benefits, based on household size with an income threshold of up to $129,000 for larger families.

The Government of Prince Edward Island has finalized agreements with the Government of Canada to deliver the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program (OHPA) benefits through the Free Net Zero Program.  If you have already received a free heat pump and use >500L of oil per year, you may still be eligible for more energy efficient equipment.

Applicants who are approved for the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program on Prince Edward Island will also receive a one-time payment of $250 from Natural Resources Canada. This payment will automatically be mailed to you after your successful participation in the program. Any questions or concerns please contact OHPA-CAMT@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca (link sends e-mail).

How do I apply?

You can apply for the OHPA Program, a free mini-split heat pump, a free electric water heater, and free insulation online by clicking the blue button at the bottom of this page. 

All applications must be submitted online. If you need assistance with the online application, you can visit your local Access PEI where staff will help you verify your income and help you submit your application. 

Am I qualified to apply?

Before applying, make sure you meet the following requirements:

1. Home Eligibility:
   • Must be your primary residence (i.e., seasonal properties are not eligible).
   • Your home must be a detached house, semi-detached (e.g., duplex, townhouse, or condominium), or mobile home.
   • The home must be at least 6 months old and connected to the electrical grid.
      
2. Residency and Ownership: 
   • You must be the primary resident and owner of the home.
      
3. Income Eligibility:
   • Your household must meet the following income thresholds based on household net income:
     • Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program: Up to $129,000
       • $0 - $100,000 for households with 1 to 3 members
       • $0 - $122,000 for households with 4 members
       • $0 - $129,000 for households with 5 or more members
       • Over $129,000 is ineligible for OHPA, however may be eligible for energy efficient equipment rebate programs
     • Free Heat Pump Program: Up to $100,000
     • Free Electric Hot Water Heater Program: Up to $100,000
     • Free Insulation Program: Up to $55,000
        
   • Household net income is calculated as follows:
     • For a homeowner – the amount reported on tax line 23600
     • If the homeowner has a spouse or common-law partner, their tax line 23600 amount is added as well

4. Oil Usage for Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program:

   • Your household must have used a minimum of 500 litres of oil in the year preceding your application. If you need to make changes to your heating equipment after submitting your application, please contact Contact PEI at 1-833-PEI-1873 (1-833-734-1873) or email contactpei@gov.pe.ca (link sends e-mail) to confirm that your eligibility is not impacted. 

5. Work must not yet have begun:

   To ensure the best upgrades are identified for your home, a home heating assessment will be conducted by your assigned contractor. Only the upgrades recommended through this assessment are eligible for approval. Therefore, any work completed by the homeowner prior to the assessment will not qualify for reimbursement when accepted into the program.

Under OHPA you may be eligible for:

• Heat pump systems
• Supplementary electric heating
• Electric hot water heater
• Interior electrical panel upgrades in conjunction with heat pump installations (Client will be responsible for arranging and covering the cost of any exterior electrical work required)
• Oil furnace and tank removal (optional)

What documents do I need to apply?

For your visit to an Access PEI location, or applying online, you will need to provide proof of your household income, as well as a Maritime Electric or City of Summerside electric bill that shows the address of the upgrades being installed (no more than 3 months old). Please upload one of the following three income verification documents to be eligible for the program:

Current Proof of Income Statement from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for applicant and spouse/common-law partner (if applicable).  Get your Proof of Income Statement online through your  CRA's My Account for Individuals (link is external) or by calling the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 to request your Proof of Income Statement. If you call the CRA you will need the following details to provide to the agent; your Social Insurance Number, full name and date of birth, your complete address and Line 15000 from your latest assessment.    

1. Proof of Income Statement (link is external)
2. GST Credit Notice showing your address, family net income, marital status and province of residence
3. Current Canada Child Benefit Statement (link is external) from the CRA

If you are having trouble accessing the proof of income document, read through our guide to finding proof of income statements.

What happens after I apply?

After you apply, staff will review your application to make sure it is complete and determine which program(s) you are eligible for. If there is any missing information, staff will contact you directly. Applications cannot be approved and will not be added to the queue until all the required information is received. 

If you are eligible, you will receive an approval email outlining the next steps.

The Sustainability Division has onboarded OHPA Program contractors enabling us to begin the process of issuing home assessment work orders for those already approved for the program. Clients are unable to request specific contractors as the contractor assigned is one that is currently available based on queues. You will be contacted once your application has been assigned to a contractor. 

Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide an estimated timeline for applications due to the wide array of household-specific upgrades offered through the OHPA program. We are working to onboard as many qualified contractors as possible to complete the various upgrades. We are also working with local utilities to ensure communities are prepared for the additional electrical load