FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Affordable Home Energy Program is making it easier for Manitobans to upgrade to energy-efficient heat pump systems with no upfront costs. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions about how the program works, who’s eligible, what incentives are available, and how it can help you save energy and money — while supporting a cleaner, more sustainable Manitoba. 

What is the Affordable Home Energy Program?

The Affordable Home Energy Program, a key initiative under the Manitoba Affordable Energy Plan, is designed to lower energy bills by installing new heat pumps for energy-efficient home heating and cooling for 5,000 Manitoba families. 

What is Efficiency Manitoba’s role in the program?

Efficiency Manitoba is supporting the delivery of the Affordable Home Energy Program by providing program administration, marketing, and financial support for the installation of energy-efficient heat pump systems in Manitoba homes and multi-unit residential buildings.

What are the benefits of the program? 

The program offers a range of benefits for Manitobans and the clean energy sector, including:

• lowering energy bills for households with electric heating through immediate cost savings; 
• making the installation of ground source heat pumps more accessible across the province; 
• improving comfort and performance in homes; 
• offering flexible, customized options to meet the unique needs of different households and communities; 
• supporting Manitoba’s energy and climate goals by reducing electricity demand, especially during peak times; and 
• creating new job opportunities and supporting workforce development in the clean energy sector, helping Manitoba’s green economy. 

What incentives/rebates does Efficiency Manitoba offer for ground source heat pumps?  

Efficiency Manitoba has multiple offers available to help Manitobans upgrade their home heating system to a ground source heat pump. Each offer has its own eligibility requirements and incentive levels based on several factors, such as household income. Manitobans can find the offer best suited to them on our Affordable Home Energy Program web page.

AFFORDABLE HOME ENERGY PROGRAM		OFFER DETAILS
Income-based customers (homeowner or tenants)	Energy Efficiency Assistance Program	Customer contribution of $50/month for 10 years = $6,000. Estimated incentive = $33,800.   Efficiency Manitoba covers all the upfront costs.
	Métis Energy Efficiency Offers
First Nation communities	Community Heat Pump Program	Zero upfront cost for Community Driven Outcomes Contract (CDOC) stream (estimated incentives = $10,000 to $15,000 for ground source heat pumps and $7,500 for cold climate air source heat pumps), delivered leveraging other partnerships that provide funding.
Residential customers	Ground Source Heat Pump Program	Customer contribution of $75/month for 15 years = $13,500.  Estimated incentive = $21,200; eligible to stack with new homes participation; incentive cap applied for systems with an installation cost of over $38,000.
Commercial multi-unit residential project	Deep Energy Retrofits	25% customer bonus for projects incorporating ground source heat pumps.
	New Buildings Program
Ground source district systems	Innovation Fund	Up to 50% of feasibility study incentives. Capital incentives of up to $2.50/square foot toward construction of the system.

Why are incentive levels and Efficiency Manitoba’s support different for each customer segment in the program? 

Incentive levels and Efficiency Manitoba’s support vary by customer segment to ensure the program is accessible and equitable for all Manitobans. Each offer is designed to reflect the unique needs, financial circumstances, and housing situations of different groups — such as income-based households, Indigenous communities, mass market homeowners, and multi-unit residential buildings. This tailored approach helps increase participation, energy savings, and overall impact across the province.

What is a ground source heat pump? 

Ground source heat pumps (sometimes referred to as “geothermal heat pumps”) are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly heating and cooling systems. The reason ground source heat pumps are so efficient is because they move existing heat into or out of the ground, instead of creating heat by burning fossil fuels or powering an electric element. 

How does a ground source heat pump work? 

A ground source heat pump uses an electric pump to circulate a heat transfer fluid through a loop of pipes that are typically buried underground. In heating mode, the fluid absorbs heat from the ground, which maintains a stable temperature regardless of the weather above. This heated fluid then flows through a heat exchanger into the heat pump, where the heat is extracted and delivered to a fan coil or radiator system within the building. When the system operates in cooling mode, the process reverses, redistributing heat from the building back into the ground. 

What are the benefits associated with ground source heat pumps?

A ground source heat pump is the most energy-efficient way to heat and cool your home in Manitoba’s cold climate. For customers switching from electric resistance heating, this can translate into heating energy cost savings of up to 60%. 

How much does a ground source heat pump save? 

Actual energy savings per home vary depending on a variety of factors including the type, age, and fuel source of the system being replaced, the quality of the home’s building envelope (insulation, air sealing, windows, and doors), and unique homeowner characteristics and behaviours (number of occupants, thermostat settings, etc.).  

How much will it cost Manitobans to participate in the program?  

Homeowners can have a ground source heat pump installed at no upfront cost. The program was designed to ensure that monthly loan payments are offset by energy savings — meaning electrically heated homeowners will see a net reduction on their energy bills right away. 

The Affordable Home Energy Program offers multiple financial support options that cover a significant portion of installation costs, making energy efficiency upgrades more accessible and affordable for Manitoba families. 

What role will the ground source heat pump industry working group play? 

Efficiency Manitoba is supporting the creation of a ground source heat pump industry working group. This group will assess workforce readiness, identify training gaps, and ensure Manitoba can meet rising demand with skilled local talent. Through Efficiency Manitoba’s Innovation Fund, Efficiency Manitoba has invested over $200,000 in the Manitoba Construction Sector Council to lead this important work.