What is the Golden Rule regarding equipment purchases and construction?

No physical work can begin, and no equipment can be purchased, prior to receiving official, written project pre-approval from the SaveEnergyNB technical team. Any milestones started, orders placed, or costs incurred before receiving this written confirmation will completely disqualify that specific measure from the program, resulting in a total forfeiture of the rebate.

Who is legally eligible to apply for these energy rebates?

The program is restricted to the legal owners of residential rental properties in New Brunswick containing year-round dwellings. Eligible entities include for-profit registered companies (property management firms, REITs, real estate companies), private individuals on the property title, registered non-profit and charitable organizations, affordable or co-operative housing networks, care and group homes, and municipal, provincial, or federal government organizations. Tenants or non-owning property managers are strictly ineligible.

What types of properties are excluded from receiving funding?

To focus funding on long-term residential housing, the program explicitly excludes short-term rentals (leased under one month, like Airbnb or VRBO), hospitality lodging (hotels, motels, B&Bs), condominiums/condominium associations, nursing homes, commercial-only spaces or the commercial portions of mixed-use buildings, buildings under one year old, seasonal cottages, and transient structures lacking a permanent foundation (RVs, campers).

Do non-profit organizations receive special financial bonuses?

Yes. Registered non-profits qualify for up to 90% of eligible costs on building envelope retrofits (like insulation and air sealing) compared to the standard 70% rate. Additionally, their equipment caps are scaled higher; central ducted heat pump rebates increase from $3,750 to $4,875 per unit, and large ducted systems (135 kBtu/h+) scale up from $100,000 to $130,000 per unit.

What are the exact technical requirements for an installed heat pump to qualify?

Heat pumps must meet three specific criteria: 1) Cold Climate Rated to maintain performance down to -22°C in southern New Brunswick and -27°C in northern regions. 2) Formally certified as ENERGY STAR 'Most Efficient' (under 65k BTU) or ENERGY STAR Certified (65k to 240k BTU). 3) Professionally sized using approved, technical methodologies like the NRCan LEEP Application or Manual J calculations. General square-footage estimates are automatically rejected.

How long does the application process take, and what is the project deadline?

After an online application is submitted, program staff reach out within 5 business days. The rigorous technical review process of contractor quotes and Pre-Approval forms typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. Once written pre-approval is granted, the landlord has exactly eight (8) months to fully complete the installation. Direct deposit incentive payments are disbursed within 60 days of final claim approval.

How New Brunswick Landlords Can Claim Up to $2 Million in Energy Rebates and Heat Pumps

Q: What is the maximum dollar amount a landlord can claim through this program?

Eligible residential rental property owners in New Brunswick can claim a maximum rebate of up to $2,000,000 across all properties per fiscal year. Additionally, funding is capped at up to $500,000 per project site (defined as a specific property address or group of buildings on the same property). Because these maximum allocations completely reset every fiscal year on April 1, landlords can phase large, multi-building retrofits across consecutive years to maximize their total incentives.

Heat Pump Pro
Jun 28
7 min read

Introduction

The operational landscape for rental property owners in New Brunswick is facing a period of escalating costs. From rising utility prices to general maintenance expenses, landlords are under pressure to maintain their net operating income (NOI) without compromising on property quality. Compounding this challenge, the presence of rent caps across the province makes it difficult for property owners to directly recover capital expenditures related to building upgrades. At the same time, a significant majority of renters in New Brunswick possess low or moderate household incomes, making them highly sensitive to utility costs.

Fortunately, NB Power has introduced a multi-million-dollar solution: the Rental Owners Rebate Program (RORP), proudly delivered by SaveEnergyNB. This initiative represents a massive financial opportunity for residential rental property owners. By subsidizing major energy-efficiency upgrades, the program allows landlords to substantially increase their property values, reduce ongoing common-area operational expenses, and boost their net operating income. Simultaneously, these upgrades create healthier, more energy-secure, and more comfortable living environments for tenants, which supports stable, long-term tenancies. It is a true win-win scenario where tenants benefit from lower energy costs and better comfort, and landlords secure long-term asset value.

Who is Eligible and What is the Funding Limit?

Eligible Applicants

The Rental Owners Rebate Program is broadly accessible, opening its doors to the legal owners of New Brunswick residential rental properties containing year-round dwellings. Eligible applicants include:

· For-Profit Registered Companies: This includes property management firms, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), property developers, and real estate companies.

· Private Individuals: Sole owners or groups of individuals whose names are legally on the property title rather than a registered corporation.

· Registered Non-Profits & Charities: Organizations operating for purposes other than generating profit.

· Affordable Housing Providers & Co-operative Housing Organizations: Community-oriented housing entities.

· Care and Group Homes: Owners of eligible group homes, special care, memory care, and non-medical senior care facilities providing assisted or independent living.

· Government Organizations: Entities at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels.

Note: Tenants, residents, or hired property managers who do not legally own the property are strictly ineligible to apply, though they will benefit directly from the resulting upgrades.

Eligible vs. Ineligible Properties

To ensure funding is directed where it has the greatest long-term impact on the housing market, the program enforces clear property guidelines based on long-term residential use. Long-term rentals are defined as residential accommodations rented or leased for one month or longer.

· Eligible Properties: Detached or semi-detached houses containing self-contained rental units, triplexes, four-plexes, apartment buildings, multi-unit complexes, non-medical senior care homes, group homes, special care and memory care homes, and the residential portions of mixed-use buildings. Both small Part 9 buildings and larger, more complex Non-Part 9 buildings are acceptable.

· Ineligible Properties: Short-term rentals leased for intervals under one month (such as Airbnb or VRBO listings, hostels, and vacation cottages), hospitality accommodations (hotels, motels, inns, B&Bs), condominiums or condominium associations, nursing homes, commercial-only properties, commercial portions of mixed-use buildings, and buildings less than one year old. Additionally, any mobile structures on wheels or dwellings lacking a permanent foundation (RVs, campers, travel trailers) are excluded.

Funding Limits

The scale of available funding under RORP is designed to support substantial deep-energy retrofits across multiple buildings. The program applies generous maximum limits on a per-fiscal-year basis, running from April 1 to March 31:

· Up to $500,000 per eligible project site (defined as a specific property address or group of buildings on the same property).

· Up to $2,000,000 per residential rental property owner across all properties.

Because these maximum allocations completely reset every year on April 1, landlords are actively encouraged to plan and phase their projects across multiple fiscal years to maximize their total rebate potential.

Why Novair Cold Climate Heat Pumps Are the Ultimate Upgrade

When it comes to upgrading a property's HVAC system, cold climate heat pumps represent the pinnacle of strategic investment under this program. Because space heating accounts for the vast majority of energy consumption in New Brunswick, moving away from inefficient systems yields immediate dividends. High-quality cold climate heat pumps—such as specialized product lines like Novair—are engineered to handle harsh Canadian winters, maintaining exceptional performance and high coefficients of performance (COP) even when outdoor temperatures plunge to freezing depths.

Technical Requirements for Maximum Efficiency

To qualify for the program's incentives, the installed heat pumps must satisfy strict efficiency and sizing criteria:

· Cold Climate Rated: Equipment must be rated to handle local design heating temperatures—specifically down to -22°C in southern New Brunswick and down to -27°C in northern regions of the province.

· Certifications: Systems must hold certified credentials, such as being ENERGY STAR Certified or categorized under ENERGY STAR 'Most Efficient' depending on unit type and capacity.

· Proper Sizing: Sizing must be performed professionally using approved methodologies like the Natural Resources Canada LEEP Air-Source Heat Pump Sizing and Selection Application or Manual J calculations; arbitrary calculations based purely on square footage are rejected.

Rebate Breakdown for Heat Pumps

The incentives available under RORP are incredibly lucrative, covering up to 100% of eligible costs up to pre-determined caps. The funding tiers vary based on the specific system configuration:

· Central Ducted Air Source Heat Pumps: Landlords can claim a fixed rebate of $3,750 per unit.

· Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pumps: These flexible systems offer rebates structured by heating capacity:

· Smaller than 18 kBtu/hour: $1,875 per unit.

· 18 kBtu/hour to less than 36 kBtu/hour: $5,000 per unit.

· 36 kBtu/hour or larger: $7,500 per unit.

· Ducted Air Source Heat Pumps: For multi-unit configurations, the rebates reach massive levels based on capacity:

· Less than 32 kBtu/hour: $4,000 per unit.

· 32 kBtu/hour to less than 65 kBtu/hour: $14,550 per unit.

· 65 kBtu/hour to less than 135 kBtu/hour: $45,000 per unit.

· 135 kBtu/hour and larger: $100,000 per unit.

Bonus Non-Profit Boosting

To support community and affordable housing networks, SaveEnergyNB offers an elevated incentive cap structure for registered non-profit organization participants. Non-profits receive a significant boost on all HVAC caps:

· Central Ducted Units: Increased to $4,875 per unit.

· Ductless Mini-Splits: Boosted to $2,440 (under 18 kBtu/h), $6,500 (18 to 36 kBtu/h), and $9,750 (36 kBtu/h or larger).

· Ducted Air Source Systems: Elevated up to $130,000 per unit for systems 135 kBtu/h or larger.

Furthermore, non-profits qualify for 90% of eligible costs on building envelope retrofits (like insulation and air sealing), compared to the 70% rate offered to standard participants.

The 6-Step Application Process

Navigating the Rental Owners Rebate Program involves a straightforward administrative process from initial inquiry to final direct deposit.

· Step 1: Apply Online – Landlords begin by filling out the online application form hosted on SaveEnergyNB.ca. Within 5 business days of receiving a completed form, program staff will review the initial criteria and contact the applicant via email with essential onboarding materials, including the official Pre-Approval Form, a Direct Deposit Enrollment Form, and a unique Application ID which must be used on all future communications.

· Step 2: Choose Eligible Upgrades – Property owners then review the eligible equipment guide and consult with a qualified contractor. Together, they will select compliant upgrades and draw up detailed quotes. For any equipment purchased, the quotes or product specifications must explicitly outline pricing, makes, and specific manufacturer model numbers to verify program alignment.

· Step 3: Submit Pre-Approval Forms – The completed Pre-Approval Form (detailing planned upgrades and contractors' quotes) and the Direct Deposit Enrollment Form (accompanied by a void cheque or financial institution stamp) must be submitted back to the program team via email (RORP-PRPLL@nbpower.com) or through the secure portal on SaveEnergyNB.ca. A comprehensive technical review is then initiated, a process that typically spans 4 to 6 weeks.

· Step 4: Implement Upgrades – Once official written pre-approval is granted, the contractor can proceed with the physical installation of the approved measures. Landlords must ensure they capture necessary 'before and after' photos of the installation zone if required by the specific measure rules. Approved projects are expected to be completed within eight (8) months of receiving pre-approval.

· Step 5: Request for Payment – Upon project completion and payment of all contractor expenses, the landlord submits the final Incentive Claim Form. This package must include itemized final invoices, formal proof of payment (receipts, paid invoices, or bank confirmations), and the required 'before and after' photographs. NB Power reserves the right to perform a post-project site inspection to validate installation quality prior to issuing funds.

· Step 6: Receive Incentive Payment – Following successful validation of the claim package, the technical team triggers an electronic fund transfer. The rebate is deposited directly into the landlord’s bank account within 60 days of claim approval.

⚠️ The Golden Rule: Do Not Jump the Gun!The absolute most critical rule of the Rental Owners Rebate Program is that no physical work can begin, and no equipment can be purchased, prior to receiving official, written project pre-approval from the SaveEnergyNB technical team at the end of Step 3. Any items started or costs incurred beforehand will completely disqualify that measure from the program, resulting in a total forfeiture of the rebate.

Conclusion & Call to Action (CTA)

With energy costs on the rise and building efficiency becoming a key differentiator in the rental market, there has never been a better time for New Brunswick landlords to upgrade their portfolios. The Rental Owners Rebate Program provides an unmatched mechanism to execute deep energy retrofits—including high-performance cold climate heat pumps—virtually risk-free, with caps stretching up to $2 Million per owner each fiscal year.

Don't leave money on the table or let this fiscal year's funding pool pass you by. To take advantage of this utility-backed opportunity, reach out to a qualified local contractor today to secure baseline quotes, pull certified equipment specifications, and initiate your application. For immediate assistance or to start your application process, visit SaveEnergyNB.ca, email the program team at RORP-PRPLL@nbpower.com, or speak directly with a representative by calling 1-800-663-6272.