Heat Pump Assistance Program

Income-eligible households can receive a free cold-climate air-source heat pump.

We've launched the Heat Pump Assistance Program (HPAP) to understand the effects of electrification on low-rise residential homes (one to three storeys high) in Toronto. This pilot study — offered for a limited time — was developed in collaboration with our service provider, CLEAResult and other research partners.

About the program

Participants will receive a complimentary cold-climate air source heat pump (ccASHP) and air quality monitoring device for their low-rise residential home in Toronto in exchange for active monitoring of their energy usage data for the length of the study, which is currently expected to last for one year once the installation is completed. Heat pump installations are expected to take place throughout 2025 and 2026, depending on group assignments.

All program equipment will be installed free of charge, and will be yours to keep. Eligible equipment includes:

  • A ccASHP or hybrid heating system (ccASHP with natural gas backup)
  • Indoor air quality monitor
  • Additional electrical equipment required to install the heat pump, where necessary and approved

The goals of the HPAP are to:

  • Support residential electrification
  • Contribute to reduced greenhouse gas emissions
  • Help create a more affordable energy transition

Qualifying for the program

In order to participate in the HPAP, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Your total household income is equal to or below the maximum annual household income outlined in the HPAP qualification criteria by household income and size section below, or you've received one or more of the social assistance benefits outlined in the HPAP qualification criteria by eligible benefit programs section below within the last twelve (12) months
  • You’re the owner of, or primary resident living in, a single-family dwelling (detached or semi-detached) located in Toronto with a postal code beginning with ‘M’ (except M0R and M7R)
  • You’ve lived at the address for at least 12 months, and don't plan on moving within 12 months of when the equipment is installed
  • You’re a Toronto Hydro customer who's listed as a primary or secondary account holder on your Toronto Hydro bills
  • Your home is equipped with a functioning natural gas forced-air furnace
  • Your current home heating system uses natural gas with central air ducts (equipment suitability to be confirmed at pre-inspection)
  • Your home has a stable, secure and reliable Wi-Fi internet connection
  • You don’t have major renovations or demolitions scheduled to take place within the next year

Behind on your electricity bill? There are support programs designed to help. Visit our Financial Assistance web page for details.

 
Number of occupants[1] Before-tax household income[2]
1 $47,090
2 $66,595
3 $81,561
4 $94,179
5 $105,295
6 $115,345
7+ $124,586

[1] Only individuals over the age of 18 are considered occupants and should be factored into your assessment of total household income and size.

[2] Before-tax household income in Canadian dollars for the previous tax year.

In order to meet the qualification criteria based on eligible benefit programs, the primary resident or owner must have received one or more of the following social assistance benefits within the past 12 months:

  • Allowance for the Survivor
  • Allowance for Seniors
  • A natural gas income-eligible Demand Side Management (DSM) program
  • Enbridge Gas Home Winterproofing Program (HWP)
  • Energy Affordability Program (EAP)
  • Guaranteed Income Supplement
  • Healthy Smiles Ontario Child Dental Program
  • Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
  • Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
  • Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)
  • Ontario Works

Heat and cool your home efficiently with a heat pump

Heating and cooling your home accounts for more than 60% of your annual electricity costs, so it's worth doing so efficiently. Learn about the advantages of electric heat pumps.

About electric heat pumps

Step-by-step process

1. Review program eligibility details with CLEAResult to see if you qualify.

Complete the HPAP screening web form or call CLEAResult at 647-792-2680 to guide you through the eligibility criteria and assess whether you qualify.

2. Apply for the program.

Through the screening process, CLEAResult will determine whether you're eligible for the program. If you qualify, fill out a Participant Application (PDF, 140 KB) and email it to heatpumpassistance@torontohydro.com. You'll be asked to provide proof of income — for example, a benefit statement or your latest tax assessment. Please note that we're committed to keeping your personal information confidential and secure, as outlined in our Privacy Policy.

3. Sign a Participant Agreement.

If your application is accepted, you’ll be asked to submit a signed Participant Agreement (PDF, 82 KB).

Note: If you’re a tenant, please ensure your landlord completes the “Landlord Consent” portion of the form.

4. Your home undergoes a pre-inspection.

After receiving a completed Participant Agreement, we’ll arrange for a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) specialist to visit your home to complete a pre-inspection and confirm equipment eligibility. During this visit, we’ll collect information relating to your existing heating and cooling equipment, the age of your home, your natural gas consumption data, air quality measurements and your thermostat. This information helps us determine which equipment is most appropriate for your home.

With your permission, we may also refer you to other no-cost energy affordability programs that you may benefit from.

5. The heat pump equipment gets installed in your home.

If accepted into the program, we’ll arrange a time to install the heat pump equipment and enable Green Button's Connect My Data® feature to start sharing your energy usage data with us. Participating homes will be randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups as part of the study. Depending on your group assignment, a contractor will install either a fully electric ccASHP system or a hybrid heating system (ccASHP with natural gas backup).

We'll reach out to half of the participating homes to schedule the installations shortly after acceptance into the program. The remaining installations will take place approximately one year after the pre-inspection and acceptance into the program takes place.

6. We'll begin monitoring.

Once the equipment is installed, we'll collect and share your energy usage data with our research collaborators.

Once the study concludes, we'll arrange a time to collect the air quality monitoring system — along with the flash drive and SD cards — and have you complete a final survey about your experience. The heat pump equipment remain yours to keep — free of charge!

Frequently asked questions

If you pay your electricity bills as a tenant, you'll need to get your landlord's consent to participate by having them complete the "Landlord Consent" portion of the Participant Agreement (PDF, 82 KB).

Note: We will not share any of your personal or financial information with your landlord.

Only contractors approved by our service provider, CLEAResult, are permitted to install eligible equipment under the HPAP. This is intended to save you time and limit any potential concerns about the quality of the installations. CLEAResult's qualified contractors undergo training and regular quality assurance checks to ensure a uniform, high-quality experience for all program participants. Using one of their designated contractors means you’re working with someone trained in industry best practices and who is subject to ongoing quality assurance evaluations.

The HPAP is designed to understand the effects of electrification on low-rise residential homes in Toronto. As such, we require access to your energy data through Green Button's Connect My Data® feature and your full name, residential address, email and phone number so we can contact you and determine your eligibility. The collected information is only visible to us, our research collaborators and our service provider, CLEAResult. This information is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

During the pre-inspection visit, a contractor will confirm that you’ve completed and signed the necessary paperwork and have you complete a survey. They'll then guide you through the process and show you how to use the Green Button Connect My Data® feature to share your energy data with us.

The contractor will also:

  • Assess whether your home’s existing HVAC equipment meets the requirements for program eligibility
  • Verify your electrical panel compatibility
  • Test your air duct flow
  • Install an air quality monitoring device
  • Take photographs of your equipment and home as part of the pre-and post-inspection visits

If accepted into the HPAP, CLEAResult will reach out by phone or email to arrange a suitable time to install the equipment.

All equipment installed as part of the program, with the exception of the air quality monitor, will be owned and operated by the homeowner. Maintenance of the equipment will be the responsibility of the homeowner. A customer service representative will contact you following the completion of the data tracking and reporting period to arrange a time to pick up the air quality monitor.

If you have any questions, please call or text CLEAResult at 647-792-3680.