Heat Pump Rebates & Hybrid Heating in Eastern Ontario (2025)
- Heat Pump Pro
- Aug 28
- 13 min read
Why Heat Pumps in Eastern Ontario
In much of Eastern Ontario, households in Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (SDG), Prescott–Russell, Cornwall, Brockville, Lanark County, Renfrew County, and surrounding rural areas do not have access to natural gas. Instead, these communities rely heavily on propane furnaces, oil systems, electric resistance heating, or wood stoves to keep their homes warm through long winters. While these fuels have been the status quo for decades, they come with rising operating costs, delivery logistics, and policy risks.
This regional energy reality is what makes cold climate heat pumps — and especially hybrid A-coil heat pump systems — a strong solution for rural Ontario. Unlike conventional air conditioners, a cold climate heat pump provides both cooling in the summer and heating in the winter, even when outdoor temperatures fall to -30°C. When integrated into a hybrid system, the heat pump does most of the heating work during the fall, spring, and moderate winter days, while the existing propane furnace remains in place to cover only the extreme cold periods.
For a homeowner in SDG or Prescott–Russell, the advantage is clear: keep your current forced-air propane system, but upgrade the air conditioner to a Novair hybrid heat pump using a cased A-coil. The system then becomes dual-fuel, automatically switching between electric and propane depending on efficiency, temperature, and cost. This hybrid model delivers year-round comfort, reduces propane consumption, and protects homeowners from long-term fuel price volatility.
Novair’s equipment is specifically designed for Canadian winters — not repurposed surplus built for milder climates like New England. The LEA-18/24-ACOIL-410A and LEA-30/36-ACOIL-410A coils are engineered to integrate seamlessly with existing furnaces, paired with outdoor units like the LEA18-EVOX-30-O through LEA36-EVOX-30-O. This ensures both compatibility and reliability in Eastern Ontario’s harsher climate.
For households without ductwork, Novair also manufactures high-performance multi-zone ductless systems. These are well-suited for older homes, renovations, or specific spaces such as sunrooms, basements, and additions that propane furnaces cannot efficiently serve.
In Eastern Ontario, where heating fuel costs are unpredictable and winters are severe, the combination of rebates, hybrid heat pump technology, and Canadian-engineered equipment makes upgrading to a heat pump system a logical step for homeowners looking for comfort, efficiency, and long-term savings.
Ontario Heat Pump Rebates (2025 Update)
The Ontario government, through Enbridge Gas and the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), continues to fund significant rebates for homeowners upgrading to cold climate air-source heat pumps. These rebates are designed to encourage rural and semi-rural households — the very communities across Eastern Ontario that still rely on propane, oil, wood, or baseboard electricity — to switch to cleaner and more efficient heating systems.
Rebate Amounts (2025)
Cold Climate Air-Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs)
$1,250 per ton of capacity
Maximum of $7,500 per home
Example: A typical 3-ton hybrid A-coil system (outdoor unit LEA36-EVOX-30-O with coil LEA-30/36-ACOIL-410A) earns a $3,750 rebate.
Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs)
$2,000 per ton
Maximum of $12,000 per home
Less common in Eastern Ontario due to higher installation costs and property space requirements.
Eligibility Criteria
Heating Source: Home must currently heat with electricity, propane, oil, or wood (not natural gas).
This is the majority of households in SDG, Prescott–Russell, Renfrew, and Lanark counties.
Dwelling Type: Detached, semi-detached, rowhouse, townhome, or mobile home on a permanent foundation.
New construction does not qualify.
Equipment Requirements:
Heat pump must be a qualified cold climate model listed by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).
Novair’s hybrid systems with LEA-EVOX outdoor units paired with LEA-ACOIL cased coils meet these qualifications.
Contractor Requirement: Must be installed by a participating contractor.
Novair authorized contractors are approved to not only install but also complete required documents such as the heat load index and rebate paperwork.
No Energy Audit Required
Unlike the Canada Greener Homes Grant, Ontario’s Home Renovation Savings rebate does not require a home energy audit for heat pump upgrades. This reduces cost and paperwork for the homeowner, making the process simpler and faster.
Rebate Process
Confirm Eligibility: Homeowner confirms their primary heating type and residence.
Select a Contractor: Must choose from the list of authorized contractors. Novair has a network of contractors throughout Eastern Ontario ready to handle these installs.
Installation: Contractor installs the hybrid heat pump system (for example, replacing an old A/C with LEA24-EVOX-30-O and coil LEA-18/24-ACOIL-410A).
Rebate Submission: Contractor completes and submits paperwork (heat load index, installation documentation).
Rebate Payment: Cheque mailed to homeowner, typically within 60 days.
Why This Matters for Eastern Ontario
For a propane-heated home in Cornwall, Winchester, or Embrun, a 3-ton hybrid system may cost between $11,000–$12,000 installed. With a $3,750 rebate, nearly one-third of the cost is immediately offset. Combine this with annual savings of ~$700 on propane, and the system becomes a financially viable and practical upgrade.
The rebate program is designed for rural communities. By excluding natural gas homes, it specifically targets propane-heavy regions like SDG and Renfrew, where the transition to hybrid or ductless heat pumps makes the greatest impact.
The Reality of Propane Heating in Rural Ontario
In Eastern Ontario, homeowners in Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (SDG), Prescott–Russell, Lanark County, and Renfrew County often rely on propane furnaces as their primary source of heat. This is due to the lack of natural gas distribution in many rural communities such as Cornwall, Alexandria, Morrisburg, Winchester, Embrun, Rockland, Hawkesbury, Perth, Smiths Falls, Renfrew, and Arnprior. While propane is cleaner than oil and widely available, it is also volatile in cost and consumption-heavy during long winters.
Average Consumption
A typical detached home of 1,500–2,000 sq ft in Eastern Ontario consumes roughly 2,500–3,500 litres of propane per year.
For calculations, 3,000 litres per year is a realistic average benchmark for rural homes with forced-air propane furnaces.
Larger or less insulated homes may consume 4,000 litres or more, while newer, better-insulated homes may use closer to 2,000–2,500 litres.
Propane Prices in Ontario (2025)
Supplier rates in Ontario as of mid-2025 range from $0.65 to $0.85 per litre for households using 2,500–4,500 L annually.
Some homeowners report paying closer to $1.00 per litre once delivery fees, carbon charges, and HST are included.
Using an average of $0.65/L, a home consuming 3,000 L spends about $1,950 annually.
At the higher end, $0.85/L pushes the same home’s cost to $2,550 annually.
Fuel Volatility and Policy Risks
Carbon Tax Pause: As of April 1, 2025, the Federal Carbon Charge (FCC) was set to zero for residential consumers. This temporarily reduced propane costs.
Uncertainty: Policy changes may reinstate or alter carbon pricing in the coming years, creating long-term uncertainty for propane affordability.
Seasonal Spikes: Propane prices are subject to seasonal demand, particularly in colder months when supply is tight. Delivery fees and tank rental charges further increase costs for rural households.
Efficiency Limits
Even modern propane furnaces have efficiencies in the 90–95% AFUE range, meaning a portion of energy is always wasted.
By contrast, a cold climate heat pump with a seasonal COP of 2.5–3.0 delivers 250–300% efficiency — producing two to three units of heat for every one unit of electricity consumed.
Why This Matters in Eastern Ontario
For homeowners in SDG, Prescott–Russell, Lanark, and Renfrew, heating costs are a major part of the household budget. A family spending nearly $2,000–$2,500 annually on propane is exposed to price swings they cannot control. A hybrid heat pump system offsets a significant portion of this propane use, providing predictable electricity-based heating for most of the season while keeping the propane furnace available for deep winter.
When paired with the Ontario $1,250/ton rebate, the economics tilt even further in favour of upgrading. For example, a 3-ton hybrid system (LEA36-EVOX-30-O + LEA-30/36-ACOIL-410A) would receive $3,750 in rebates, reducing upfront cost and immediately shrinking dependence on propane.
How Hybrid A-Coil Heat Pump Systems Work
For rural Ontario homes with forced-air propane furnaces, the fastest path to efficiency is not ripping out the furnace, but upgrading the air conditioner to a hybrid heat pump system. This is where cased A-coil systems come in.
The Retrofit Concept
Most homes in SDG, Prescott–Russell, Cornwall, Brockville, Renfrew, and Lanark already have a central air conditioner paired with their propane furnace.
In a hybrid upgrade, the old A/C coil and condenser are replaced with:
A Novair LEA cased A-coil (either LEA-18/24-ACOIL-410A or LEA-30/36-ACOIL-410A)
A Novair EVOX outdoor unit sized to match (LEA18-EVOX-30-O, LEA24-EVOX-30-O, LEA30-EVOX-30-O, or LEA36-EVOX-30-O)
The existing propane furnace and ductwork stay in place. No costly duct rework, no change to existing air distribution.
How the System Operates
Mild and shoulder seasons: The heat pump runs as the primary heating source, extracting heat from outside air and delivering it into the ducts through the Novair A-coil.
Deep winter: When temperatures fall into the extreme lows that Eastern Ontario is known for, the system automatically switches to propane. This ensures consistent comfort without overloading the heat pump.
Summer: The same system delivers high-efficiency cooling, replacing the old A/C and providing modern SEER2 performance.
Why It Works in Eastern Ontario
Cold Climate Design: Novair systems are rated for performance down to -30°C, making them suitable for Ottawa Valley winters and towns like Renfrew, Winchester, and Hawkesbury where January lows can sit well below -20°C.
Fuel Flexibility: Propane furnaces remain fully functional, offering redundancy and peace of mind during cold snaps or power outages.
Simple Installation: For most homes, the retrofit is straightforward — drop-in coil replacement and outdoor unit swap. Only older systems may require minor sheet-metal fabrication.
Why Novair Equipment Stands Out
Two Coil Models Cover All Residential Needs:
LEA-18/24-ACOIL-410A → for 1.5-ton (LEA18-EVOX-30-O) and 2-ton (LEA24-EVOX-30-O) systems.
LEA-30/36-ACOIL-410A → for 2.5-ton (LEA30-EVOX-30-O) and 3-ton (LEA36-EVOX-30-O) systems.
This reduces contractor stocking complexity while ensuring homeowners get properly matched equipment.
Canadian Engineering: Unlike surplus models dumped from U.S. markets, Novair’s hybrid lineup is specified for Canadian winters, ensuring efficiency and reliability in Eastern Ontario’s climate.
10-Year Parts and Labour Warranty: Standard coverage — not an upsell — gives homeowners long-term protection.
Savings Example: SDG Household
For a practical illustration, consider a propane-heated home in Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (SDG). This region — including towns like Cornwall, Winchester, Alexandria, and Morrisburg — depends heavily on propane furnaces, making it a prime candidate for a hybrid heat pump upgrade.
Baseline: Propane Heating
Average consumption: ~3,000 litres of propane per year for a 1,500–2,000 sq ft home.
Price range: $0.65–$0.85 per litre depending on supplier, usage tier, and delivery fees.
Annual cost:
At $0.65/L → $1,950 per year
At $0.85/L → $2,550 per year
Propane bills are front-loaded in winter months, with many families receiving $800–$1,000 invoices for a single fill.
Hybrid Heat Pump Operation
System example: Novair LEA36-EVOX-30-O outdoor unit paired with LEA-30/36-ACOIL-410A coil (3-ton hybrid).
Heating load: Equivalent to 30,000 kWh annually (same as 3,000 L propane).
COP assumption: 2.5 (realistic seasonal average in Eastern Ontario).
Electricity use: 30,000 ÷ 2.5 = 12,000 kWh per year.
Electricity cost: At Ontario’s blended rate of $0.11/kWh, the annual operating cost is $1,320.
Annual Savings
Propane baseline: $1,950–$2,550 per year.
Hybrid system (electricity + occasional propane backup): ~$1,320 per year.
Direct savings: $630–$1,200 annually, depending on propane price and winter severity.
Rebate Impact
Ontario rebate: $1,250 per ton for cold climate heat pumps.
A 3-ton hybrid system qualifies for a $3,750 rebate.
This rebate usually covers about one-third of installed cost, reducing financial barriers upfront.
Long-Term ROI
Over 10 years, conservative fuel savings accumulate to $6,300–$12,000, not including potential propane price increases or the return of carbon charges.
Novair’s 10-year parts and labour warranty means homeowners are protected against repair surprises during this period.
Why It Matters
For rural households in Cornwall, Winchester, Embrun, Rockland, and Arnprior, propane remains costly and unpredictable. Hybrid heat pumps cut dependence by more than one-third while retaining the propane furnace for deep-cold backup. With rebates and warranties factored in, the economics favour making the switch now rather than later.
The Novair Advantage
When evaluating cold climate heat pumps in Ontario, homeowners are faced with a crowded market of brands. Many systems appear similar on paper, but there are critical differences in warranty, design focus, and support infrastructure. For families in Eastern Ontario — where winters are long and fuel costs are unpredictable — the Novair advantage stands out.
Authorized Contractors and Paperwork Done Right
Rebates are only valid when installed by a participating contractor who completes the required technical documents, including the heat load index.
Novair has a network of authorized contractors across SDG, Cornwall, Prescott–Russell, Lanark, and Renfrew, trained to handle not just installation but also all rebate forms.
Homeowners don’t have to navigate government paperwork — the contractor does it start to finish.
10-Year Parts and Labour Warranty
Most manufacturers in Canada advertise “10-year warranties,” but these are typically parts-only. Labour coverage often expires after the first year.
Novair includes a 10-year parts and labour warranty as standard — no hidden exclusions.
If a compressor, fan motor, or coil fails in year nine, both the part and the service call are covered.
This warranty locks in predictable ownership costs, ensuring the long-term ROI of a heat pump investment.
Built for Canadian Winters
A major risk in Eastern Ontario is buying equipment designed for milder U.S. markets, such as New England, where -30°C design temperatures are rare.
Novair’s systems are engineered for Canadian climates.
Cold climate operation down to -30°C ensures performance in towns like Winchester, Embrun, Hawkesbury, and Arnprior, where extended cold snaps are common.
Hybrid integration means propane furnaces remain in place for redundancy, but the heat pump carries the majority of the heating load.
Coast-to-Coast Inventory and Support
Waiting weeks for spare parts in January is unacceptable.
Novair maintains a national distribution network with warehouses across Canada.
Contractors in Eastern Ontario have access to abundant spare parts, reducing downtime for homeowners.
This supply chain strength is critical in rural markets where delays can mean days without heat.
Streamlined Product Lineup
Novair’s hybrid design reduces stocking complexity while covering the full range of residential needs:
Two cased A-coils:
LEA-18/24-ACOIL-410A for 1.5 and 2 ton systems
LEA-30/36-ACOIL-410A for 2.5 and 3 ton systems
Four EVOX outdoor units:
LEA18-EVOX-30-O
LEA24-EVOX-30-O
LEA30-EVOX-30-O
LEA36-EVOX-30-O
This clear pairing structure simplifies installations, ensures rebate eligibility, and guarantees performance.
In short, Novair combines reliability, Canadian engineering, unmatched warranty coverage, and logistical support into a package tailored to the realities of Eastern Ontario homeowners.
Multi-Zone Options for Ductless Homes
Not every household in Eastern Ontario has forced-air ductwork. Older stone homes in Prescott–Russell, farmhouses in SDG, and many rural properties across Lanark, Renfrew, and Leeds–Grenville still rely on baseboard heaters, wood stoves, or oil-fired systems. For these homes, Novair’s hybrid A-coil systems are not the right fit — but the LEA Multi-Zone ductless series delivers the same cold climate performance without the need for ducts.
LEA Multi-Zone Outdoor Units
Novair offers 2-port, 3-port, and 4-port outdoor condensers, designed for Canadian winters:
LEA20MZ-2P-35SK-O – up to 2 indoor heads
LEA28MZ-3P-35SK-O – up to 3 indoor heads
LEA36MZ-4P-35SK-O – up to 4 indoor heads
Each outdoor unit is certified for cold climate operation down to -30°C, making them suitable for rural towns like Cornwall, Alexandria, Winchester, Brockville, Smiths Falls, and Arnprior, where long stretches of sub-zero weather are the norm.
Technical Strengths
Cold Climate Heating: Reliable heating to -30°C, cooling to +50°C.
High Flexibility: Multiple indoor units allow zoned comfort — ideal for multi-storey homes, additions, or spaces not served by propane furnaces.
Compact Design: Outdoor units sized for residential lots, with noise levels as low as 61–63 dB(A).
Installation Range: Up to 262 ft total line length (LEA36MZ), making them suitable for larger rural properties.
Efficiency: Modern rotary compressors and SEER2-compliant performance keep operating costs low compared to baseboards or oil.
Application in Eastern Ontario
For ductless homes in Hawkesbury, Perth, and Renfrew, the LEA multi-zone system allows homeowners to:
Eliminate expensive electric baseboard heating.
Add efficient heating/cooling to sunrooms, basements, and extensions.
Avoid the cost and disruption of installing ductwork.
Still qualify for Ontario’s $1,250/ton rebates on cold climate heat pumps.
Novair Warranty and Support
As with hybrid systems, multi-zone ductless installations come standard with Novair’s 10-year parts and labour warranty. Homeowners also benefit from Novair’s coast-to-coast supply chain, ensuring spare parts and contractor support are always available when needed.
The LEA Multi-Zone lineup allows Novair to serve both ducted and ductless markets in Eastern Ontario. Whether retrofitting an existing propane furnace with an A-coil, or upgrading an old farmhouse with no ducts, Novair has a cold climate solution.
Conclusion: Future-Proof Heating in Eastern Ontario
For homeowners in Eastern Ontario — from Cornwall and Alexandria in SDG, to Winchester, Embrun, Rockland, Hawkesbury, Brockville, Perth, Smiths Falls, Renfrew, and Arnprior — the question is not if heating costs will rise again, but when. Propane and oil remain volatile, delivery fees add up quickly, and while the carbon charge is paused, there is no long-term guarantee it will stay that way.
This is why cold climate heat pumps are not just an environmental upgrade — they are a financial hedge and comfort investment. By installing a hybrid A-coil heat pump system or a multi-zone ductless system, rural households can:
Access Ontario rebates of up to $7,500 per home ($1,250 per ton).
Cut propane consumption by more than one-third, saving $600–$1,200 per year on fuel.
Protect themselves against policy swings and unpredictable propane prices.
Gain year-round heating and cooling from one efficient system.
Why Novair is the Smart Choice
Authorized contractors handle all rebate paperwork, including the heat load index.
10-year parts and labour warranty is standard, ensuring long-term confidence.
Canadian-engineered to operate reliably down to -30°C — designed for real Ontario winters.
Two coil models (LEA-18/24-ACOIL-410A, LEA-30/36-ACOIL-410A) and four EVOX outdoor units (LEA18-EVOX-30-O, LEA24-EVOX-30-O, LEA30-EVOX-30-O, LEA36-EVOX-30-O) cover the full residential range.
Multi-zone ductless options (LEA20MZ, LEA28MZ, LEA36MZ) bring efficiency to homes without ducts.
Coast-to-coast supply chain ensures spare parts are always available.
The Bottom Line
For rural families in Eastern Ontario, a Novair hybrid heat pump system or ductless multi-zone installation is a practical way to lower operating costs, reduce exposure to volatile propane pricing, and secure a system designed for Canadian winters. With rebates covering up to one-third of installation cost, and savings compounding year after year, the financial case is as strong as the comfort benefits.
Novair’s commitment — Canadian design, trusted contractors, unmatched warranty, and reliable support — makes the decision straightforward. For homeowners heating with propane, oil, wood, or electricity in SDG, Prescott–Russell, Lanark, Brockville, and Renfrew, the time to future-proof your home heating system is now.
Citations & Resources
Ontario Electricity Rates (2025): Ontario Energy Board (OEB) – https://www.oeb.ca/consumer-information-and-protection/electricity-rates
Ontario Heat Pump Rebates: Save on Energy & Enbridge Gas – https://saveonenergy.ca | https://enbridgegas.com
Federal Carbon Charge Update (2025): Government of Canada – https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/climate-change/fuel-charge.html
Propane Consumption Benchmarks: BLD Homes Ontario – https://bldhomes.ca/propane-costs
Novair Heat Pumps – Official Site: https://www.novairplus.com
Natural Resources Canada – Qualified Heat Pump List: https://natural-resources.canada.ca
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is based on available data from Ontario rebate programs, utility rate schedules, and average fuel costs as of 2025. All figures are estimates intended for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the actual performance or costs in every household. Energy usage, propane consumption, electricity rates, rebate eligibility, and savings will vary depending on home size, insulation, equipment configuration, and future changes in government policy or utility pricing. Novair Heat Pumps Inc. does not guarantee specific savings outcomes and assumes no liability for decisions made based on this information. For accurate assessments, homeowners should consult a qualified Novair authorized contractor and review the most up-to-date program terms and energy rates before making purchase decisions.
