When homeowners search for "Manitoba Hydro rebates" for heat pumps or AC, what they're actually looking for is Efficiency Manitoba — the provincial Crown corporation created in 2017 to administer energy efficiency programs funded through Manitoba Hydro and Centra Gas billing. Efficiency Manitoba operates its rebate programs independently and is the starting point for any provincial incentive.
Efficiency Manitoba Rebates (2026)
The following rebates are currently active through Efficiency Manitoba. Amounts apply to qualifying retrofits in existing homes — new construction is not eligible.
Ducted Air-Source Heat Pumps — $2,000
Cold-climate ducted heat pumps meeting the ENERGY STAR Cold Climate specification qualify for a $2,000 rebate. The unit must be installed as a retrofit in an existing home replacing electric, natural gas, propane, or oil heating. A registered contractor must submit an F280 heat load calculation as part of the application — this is the same load calculation that ensures proper sizing, covered in our post on how to size an air conditioner for your Manitoba home.
Ductless Cold-Climate Heat Pump Mini-Splits — $1,500
Ductless mini-splits that qualify as cold-climate heat pumps — meaning they both heat and cool, and are rated for operation at low Manitoba temperatures — are eligible for a $1,500 rebate per unit. Cooling-only ductless units do not qualify. When considering ductless mini-split installation in Manitoba, specify a heat pump model to access this rebate. See our ductless mini-split cost guide for how the rebate affects net installed cost.
Central Air Conditioning (Cooling Only)
Standard cooling-only central AC does not currently have a dedicated Efficiency Manitoba rebate. The rebate picture improves significantly if you choose a system with heat pump capability. For central air conditioning in Manitoba, we can quote both cooling-only and heat pump configurations so you can evaluate the rebate-adjusted cost difference.
Manitoba Hydro Home Energy Efficiency Loan
In addition to rebates, Manitoba Hydro offers an interest-free Home Energy Efficiency Loan to finance qualifying upgrades. You must apply for financing before purchasing equipment or starting work — retroactive applications are not accepted. This loan is stackable with Efficiency Manitoba rebates, meaning you can receive the rebate while financing the remaining cost interest-free. Contact Manitoba Hydro directly for current loan amounts and terms.
How the Rebate Process Works
- Confirm equipment eligibility before purchase: The specific model must be on Efficiency Manitoba's eligible equipment list. Your contractor should confirm this before ordering equipment.
- Apply for financing first (if using the loan): Manitoba Hydro's Home Energy Efficiency Loan must be approved before work begins.
- Use a registered contractor: Efficiency Manitoba rebate applications must be submitted by a registered contractor — not the homeowner directly. Patterson Mechanical is registered with Efficiency Manitoba.
- F280 load calculation required: For heat pump rebates, a formal heat load calculation must accompany the application, confirming the system is properly sized for the home.
- Application submitted after installation: Your contractor submits the rebate application following completed installation. Rebates are typically processed within several weeks.
Federal Programs Active in 2026
Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) Program — Deadline July 31, 2026
The federal Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program provides up to $20,000 in combined federal and provincial funding for eligible Manitoba households switching from home heating oil to a cold-climate heat pump.
Important eligibility details:
- This program is for homes heated with home heating oil only — propane, natural gas, and electric homes do not qualify
- Income thresholds apply (low- to median-income households)
- The heat pump must be a cold-climate air-source or ground-source model
- Your home must be connected to the integrated electricity grid
- Installation must be done by a registered Efficiency Manitoba contractor
- OHPA is stackable with the Efficiency Manitoba $2,000 heat pump rebate
For rural Manitoba properties on oil heat, this is the most significant incentive currently available — and it expires in six weeks. Contact us to assess eligibility and get a quote before the deadline. Our heat pump installation in Manitoba covers both ducted and ductless cold-climate systems that qualify.
Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (CGHAP) — New in 2026
The Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program is a newer federal initiative currently rolling out across provinces. Unlike the old Canada Greener Homes Grant (which closed in 2025), CGHAP uses a direct-install model for low-to-median income households — qualifying homeowners pay nothing out of pocket for eligible retrofits. In Manitoba, CGHAP reduces the ground-source heat pump loan to $0 for eligible homeowners, and it is stackable with OHPA for oil-heated homes. Check NRCan's website for current Manitoba availability and income eligibility details.
Programs That Have Closed — No Longer Available
For clarity, the following programs are fully closed and no longer accepting applications:
- Canada Greener Homes Grant — closed December 31, 2025
- Canada Greener Homes Loan — closed October 1, 2025
Any contractor or website citing these programs as available options is working from outdated information.
How to Maximize Your Rebate When Buying New Equipment
- Choose a heat pump over a cooling-only AC unit — the $1,500–$2,000 Efficiency Manitoba rebate only applies to heat pump models
- Specify ENERGY STAR Cold Climate certified equipment — this is the qualifying threshold for all current rebates
- If you heat with oil, apply for OHPA before July 31, 2026 — the deadline is firm and the program closes nationally on that date
- Apply for Manitoba Hydro financing before work starts if you intend to use the interest-free loan
- Work with a registered Efficiency Manitoba contractor who can submit the F280 load calculation and rebate application on your behalf
For context on total installed costs before and after rebates, see our posts on heat pump costs in Manitoba and central AC costs in Manitoba. For a direct comparison of ductless and central systems, see our post on ductless vs. central air conditioning in Manitoba.
Want to Know Exactly Which Rebates Apply to Your Home?
We're registered with Efficiency Manitoba, handle rebate applications on your behalf, and can assess OHPA eligibility for oil-heated homes before the July 31 deadline. Serving Stonewall, Winnipeg, and the Interlake.
Get a Rebate-Eligible QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does Manitoba Hydro offer rebates for heat pumps or AC?
Rebates are administered by Efficiency Manitoba (efficiencymb.ca), not directly through Manitoba Hydro. The current amounts are $2,000 for a ducted cold-climate heat pump and $1,500 for a ductless cold-climate heat pump (mini-split). Manitoba Hydro does offer a separate interest-free Home Energy Efficiency Loan that can be used alongside these rebates — but you must apply for the loan before work begins.
What rebate can I get for a ductless mini-split in Manitoba?
A ductless mini-split that qualifies as a cold-climate heat pump — meaning it both heats and cools, and meets the ENERGY STAR Cold Climate specification — is eligible for a $1,500 rebate through Efficiency Manitoba. Cooling-only ductless units do not qualify. Your contractor must be registered with Efficiency Manitoba and submit the application on your behalf.
Is the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program still available in 2026?
Yes — but the national deadline is July 31, 2026. Manitoba households switching from home heating oil to a cold-climate heat pump can receive up to $20,000 in combined federal and provincial funding through OHPA. The program is for oil-heated homes only — propane and natural gas homes do not qualify. Applications must be submitted by a registered contractor before the deadline.
Are the Canada Greener Homes Grant and Loan still available?
No. The Canada Greener Homes Grant closed December 31, 2025, and the Canada Greener Homes Loan closed October 1, 2025. Neither program is accepting new applicants. The replacement federal program is the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (CGHAP), which uses a direct-install model for low-to-median income households and is currently rolling out in Manitoba.