Let’s be honest — living in Halifax means dealing with wild weather, from nor’easters to sticky summer heatwaves. That means energy bills can sneak up on you like a raccoon in your compost bin. But here’s the good news: there’s a pile of energy rebates and incentives available across Nova Scotia right now — and yes, they absolutely apply to us here in Halifax.
If you’re a homeowner, landlord, renter, or even running a small business, there are real dollars on the table to help you upgrade your home, heat it more efficiently, or cut down your power bill without sacrificing comfort. Here’s what’s worth knowing in 2025.
1. Your Energy Rebate Program (YERP)
This one’s a no-brainer. YERP gives you a 10% rebate (that’s the provincial portion of the HST) on your energy bills — electricity, oil, propane, firewood, natural gas, wood pellets, and even coal if that’s still your jam. Most of the time, you won’t have to lift a finger; the rebate’s already included on your bill.
But if you’re buying from non-registered firewood vendors or picking up kerosene and coal at the store, hang on to your receipts. You’ve got 24 months to claim the rebate through Access Nova Scotia. Everyone qualifies — renters, homeowners, landlords, and condo corps.
2. Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP)
This program is targeted toward low- and moderate-income households, offering a $600 rebate to help ease the pain of heating costs — whether you're burning oil, running electric baseboards, or stoking the woodstove. The 2024–2025 application window is closed now, but keep an eye out for it to reopen this October. It’s worth it.
3. HEAT Fund (Home Energy Assistance Top-up)
If you're in an emergency heating situation and haven’t received this funding in the last two years, the HEAT Fund (run by The Salvation Army) can provide up to $400 in relief. Applications typically open around January 15 each year and stay open until the money runs out. It’s meant for urgent situations — when you’re running on fumes (or none at all).
4. Efficiency Nova Scotia Instant Rebates
This one’s perfect if you’ve got a weekend Home Depot run in your future. Efficiency NS is offering in-store instant rebates through the end of 2025 on all kinds of energy-efficient upgrades.
We’re talking:
$400 off ENERGY STAR® heat pump water heaters
$150 off washer/dryer combos
$75 off ENERGY STAR® appliances like dishwashers and dryers
Up to $45 off smart thermostats
Plus smaller rebates for lighting controls, solar LEDs, and more
You don’t need to apply — just shop at a participating retailer and the discount gets applied at the till.
5. Heat Pump Rebates
If you’ve been thinking about installing a heat pump, there are two main routes to rebates — and both are solid.
The fast track is the $1,600 rebate offered within 180 days of installation (no energy audit required). The bigger deal is through Efficiency Nova Scotia’s Home Energy Assessment program, which gives you access to rebates up to $5,000 — but it does require a pre- and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation. If you want to go all-in on making your home more efficient, the assessment route is the way to go.
6. Home Energy Assessment (HEA)
This is the gateway to all the best rebates. For $199, a certified energy advisor will come assess your home, identify where it’s leaking money, and set you up with a plan. That plan unlocks rebate potential of up to $5,000 — for insulation, windows, heat pumps, and more.
This program also connects with the Canada Greener Homes Initiative, which offers up to $5,000 in additional grants and up to $600 to cover your EnerGuide assessment costs. Even though the federal Greener Homes Grant is closed to new applicants, Halifax homeowners who already applied can still finish their upgrades and get the money.
And don’t forget — you can also tap into a $40,000 interest-free loan through the Greener Homes Loan to fund bigger retrofit projects.
7. Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program (OHPA)
If you're heating with oil and want to make the switch to a heat pump, this is a big one. As of January 2025, eligible households can receive up to $10,000 toward making the upgrade. The amount has been reduced from the original $30,000, but it's still a major boost. You’ll need to go through an energy audit and hire a qualified contractor.
8. Solar Rebates
Yes, solar is still a thing in Halifax — and it’s getting more accessible every year. Efficiency Nova Scotia offers a rebate of $0.30 per watt (up to $3,000) for solar panel systems installed by approved contractors. If you combine this with the $40,000 interest-free loan through the federal Greener Homes initiative, you could have a full system installed with minimal out-of-pocket expense. Net metering also lets you earn credits when your panels produce more power than you use.
9. Business Energy Rebates
Own a small business in Halifax? Efficiency Nova Scotia has a commercial program too — with rebates for energy-efficient HVAC upgrades, lighting systems, and heat pump installations. The amount varies depending on the size and type of system, but the savings are real.
10. A Few Extra Rebates to Know About
First-Time Home Buyer Rebate: If you’re buying a newly built home and haven’t owned one in Canada in the past five years, you could be eligible for up to $3,000 back.
Investment Property Rebate: If you’re buying a new rental property under $450,000, you may qualify for a rebate up to $8,000.
Appliance Recycling: Got an old fridge or freezer? Efficiency Nova Scotia will pick it up and pay you $30 for it (if it’s still working).
Final Thoughts from Yours Truly
Navigating all these rebates can feel like herding squirrels — especially when you’re also trying to maintain your home, juggle rising costs, and keep your Netflix password secret from the neighbours. But if you’re upgrading your home anyway, you might as well take advantage of what’s available.
If you’re unsure what you qualify for or where to start, Efficiency Nova Scotia has a rebate finder tool at efficiencyns.ca/rebate-finder that’ll help match your project to available savings.
