Heat Pump Assistance Program

Participating income-eligible households will receive a free cold-climate air source heat pump.

The Heat Pump Assistance Program (HPAP) is helping us better understand the effects of electrification on low-rise residential homes (one to three storeys) in Toronto. This limited-time pilot study was developed in collaboration with our service provider, CLEAResult Canada, and other research partners.

Thank you for the overwhelmingly positive response to the HPAP. The program has reached full capacity, and we’re no longer accepting new applications. This web page contains information for participants already accepted into the study.

About the program

Participants will receive a complimentary cold-climate air source heat pump (ccASHP) for their low-rise residential home in Toronto in exchange for active monitoring of their energy usage data for the duration of the study. The study will run for approximately one year following installation. Heat pump installations are scheduled throughout 2025 and 2026, depending on group assignment.

Program equipment (provided and installed at no cost to you)

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

All equipment installed is yours to keep, except for the indoor air quality monitor.

Program goals

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

Eligibility criteria

Applications are now closed. The following eligibility criteria is provided for transparency and reference.

  • 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

Because heating and cooling can account for over 60% of your annual electricity costs, improving efficiency can make a meaningful difference. Learn about the advantages of electric heat pumps.

About electric heat pumps

Participant journey

Note: Below is the full participant journey, including steps completed before acceptance. Applications are now closed, but this guide is here to help current participants at every stage.

1. Apply for the HPAP (applications are now closed).

We’ve reached program capacity and are no longer accepting new applications at this time. Thank you to everyone who applied.

2. Home energy assessment,

A certified Residential Energy Auditor (REA) performs a full home energy assessment, including a heating system review, insulation checks, blower door testing and reviewing your income or benefit status, along with other eligibility criteria.

3. Participant Agreement.

Eligible participants complete and submit a signed Participant Agreement to heatpumpassistance@torontohydro.com.

4. Home pre-inspection.

A qualified heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) specialist conducts a pre‑inspection to confirm your home’s equipment eligibility and collect baseline information, including:

  • Existing HVAC equipment details
  • The age of your home
  • Natural gas consumption data
  • Air quality measurements
  • Thermostat information

This information helps us determine which equipment is most appropriate for your home.

With your permission, you may be referred to additional no-cost energy programs.

5. Installation of heat pump equipment.

Once accepted and assigned to a study group, a contractor will schedule your installation. Homes will receive a fully electric ccASHP or a hybrid system (ccASHP + natural gas backup).

Half of participants will receive their installation shortly after acceptance, with the remaining installations scheduled approximately one year after pre-inspection.

Green Button's Connect My Data® feature will also be enabled to securely share your energy usage data for research purposes.

6. Monitoring and study participation.

After installation, energy usage and air quality data will be collected and shared with our research collaborators. At the end of the study:

  • We’ll collect the indoor air quality monitor, flash drive and SD cards
  • You’ll complete a final survey

The heat pump equipment remains 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 Canada, 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 Canada'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 Canada. 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 Canada 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 Canada at 647-792-2680.