Photo Credit: MaxGag
Heating and cooling makes up the largest portion of energy consumption in our homes, so you could save hundreds of dollars by switching from an inefficient HVAC system to a heat pump. Unfortunately, the upfront cost can be too steep for some homeowners.
That’s why it’s great that more and more provinces, states and utilities are offering incentives, rebates and financing programs to help homeowners shoulder the financial burden of installing a heat pump. We’ve written about these programs in Nova Scotia, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, and now we’re adding New Brunswick to that list.
Today, NB Power announced a new rebate for homeowners looking to add a ductless mini split heat pump to their home heating mix.
How to Qualify for the New Brunswick Rebates on Heat Pumps
There are two key qualifications to take advantage of this rebate:
- Working with a qualified contractor.
- Choosing an approved heat pump.
To make sure you work with a qualified contractor, choose one from NB Power’s list of participating heating contractors. Ideally, you should contact two or three. We always recommend getting multiple quotes for any home renovation project. A representative from that company will come to your home. After asking you several questions and taking measurements, the representative should make a recommendation for which mini split is ideal for your home.
Make sure to double check that the mini split the contractor recommends is approved for the rebate. To qualify, your ductless mini split must be ENERGY STAR certified and meet CEE Tier III efficiency. The heat pump should also be rated by the manufacturer for operation down to 4°F(-20°C). You can find this information on the manufacturer’s website.
How to Apply for the New Brunswick Rebates on Heat Pumps
The application process for this rebate is very simple. The contractor will provide you with two quotes, one showing the cost of the installation, and another showing the cost of the installation minus the rebate. The rebate will be applied at the point of sale, so you don’t need to fill out any applications or wait for the rebate to arrive in the mail.
Does Geothermal Qualify for the New Brunswick Heat Pump Rebate?
At this time, Nordic geothermal heat pumps and air source heat pumps do not qualify for the NB Power rebate. We are hopeful this will change in the future.
Find more information on this rebate on the NB Power website.