Are you thinking about purchasing a heat pump to offset both the winter cold and the sweltering summer heat? While this might sound interesting, you may still be reluctant to make the change due to the rather steep cost of such a device. 

To help you move forward, note that obtaining financial assistance is possible due to Hydro-Québec’s Efficient Heat Pump Program. 

Hydro-Québec’s Efficient Heat Pump Program

In a nutshell

For those of you who aren’t aware, Hydro-Québec has taken over the heat pump aspect of the Chauffez vert Program. Overall, this program acts as an incentive for people to purchase energy-efficient heating appliances for their dwellings and is also part of the 2030 Plan for a Green Economy put forth by the Government of Quebec.

Available Financial Assistance

Let’s start with the most important—amount provided by financial aid. The latter amounts to $50 per one thousand BTU of heating at -8 degrees Celsius. In other words, a heat pump that has a 10,000 BTU/hr power at -8 degrees Celsius will award you with $500 in financial assistance, while a device with double the power (20,000 BTU) at the same temperature will award you $1,000 in financial aid. 

Are you considering home renovations aimed at improving the insulation or air-tightness of your dwelling, or are you hoping to replace windows and doors or a mechanical system? Inquire as to your eligibility status with the Rénoclimat Program by checking out our article: Home Renovation Subsidy Program in Quebec: Rénoclimat. 

Eligibility Criteria

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In order to receive financial aid, there are, without a doubt, a series of eligibility criteria that one must meet. First off, note that not all heat pump models are eligible for financial assistance. As such, you have to review the list of eligible heat pumps (in French only) before moving forward with the process. 

Note that one must also submit a request within 6 months of purchasing the heat pump and have the work done by a contractor with a valid RBQ licence for the type of installation in question. 

The following are other eligibility criteria to meet:

• Be the owner of an eligible property, meaning either a semi-detached or townhome, single-family, trailer, or multigenerational home or a duplex, triplex, residential multi-unit apartment complex, or condominium;

• Be the owner of a year-round habitable dwelling with 3 storeys top (basement excluded);

• Reside in Quebec;

• Be the owner of a dwelling with a maximum square footage of 600 metres square; 

• Be powered by one of Hydro-Québec’s eligible off-grid electricity networks or, if available, by an eligible cooperative or municipal network.

Let it be said that the heat pump installed must be brand-new, including the outdoor unit just like the indoor one. On top of that, you can have an air-to-air mini-split (wall-mounted) or air-to-air mini-split (central) heat pump installed. 

More so, note that it’s imperative that the whole system be replaced. As such, it can’t be a partial replacement or simply a repair. Lastly, the indoor unit located inside the dwelling as well as the distribution network that allows the unit to function can’t be fitted in a home’s attic. 

Your Financial Aid Request: Steps to Follow

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In general, you’ll be required to have several documents in hand before completing your online financial assistance application. The documents requested include: 

• your municipal tax bill,

• an invoice proving the purchase of your heat pump,

• and two photos, one of the outdoor unit and one of the indoor unit. With said pictures, one should be able to clearly see the model number of each unit.

Note that the entire application must be made online, as mailed-in or emailed requests won't be processed. In total, your request shouldn't exceed 5 files or 25 MB in size.

RL-27 slip: When do you need one?

Once your request is submitted, Hydro-Québec will review it and advise you (if necessary) of the terms and conditions that apply to an RL-27. What’s an RL-27?

This is a mandatory document requested by the government from Hydro-Québec if the individual, corporation, or partnership making the request is doing so as part of the property or business dealing. Note that this includes a building owner who generates income from leasing apartments.

To obtain this statement for your application (if applicable), you'll need to provide one of the following three: your social insurance number (SIN), QST number, or NEQ number (Quebec Enterprise Number).

Want more details regarding all of the instructions to follow when submitting your application? Check out the Participant’s Guide.