FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program is making it easier for Manitobans to save energy and money with free home upgrades. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions about how the program works, who’s eligible, and how it can help you make your home more affordable and comfortable. 

What’s the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program? 

The Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program is a Government of Canada initiative that provides a direct installation model for energy efficiency upgrades to low- to median-income households. Using a direct-installation model means there are no upfront costs, loans, or payments required. Upgrades are tailored to each home’s needs and may include insulation, air sealing, and heat pumps. 

What’s Efficiency Manitoba’s role in the program? 

Efficiency Manitoba will deliver the program in Manitoba, using its existing programs and partnerships. This includes coordinating with dedicated contractors, community renewal organizations, and local energy advocates to reach more households across the province. 

Efficiency Manitoba will use this funding to build on the success of two existing low- to median-income programs: the Energy Efficiency Assistance Program and the Métis Energy Efficiency Offers.

How much funding is available? 

The Government of Canada has allocated over $29.8 million in funding for Manitoba through 2030. These funds enable Efficiency Manitoba to expand existing programs, enhance retrofits, and serve more families — all while lowering costs for Manitoba ratepayers. 

What does this mean for Manitobans? 

The program makes energy efficiency upgrades more accessible and equitable. Homeowners and tenants who pay their energy bills can benefit from these retrofits—expanding access to more low-to median-income Canadians. 

Manitobans who qualify can benefit from: 

• free home upgrades like insulation, air sealing, and heat pumps; 
• lower monthly energy bills; and 
• more comfortable homes. 

If upgrades are free, why is there still a furnace loan for natural gas furnaces?  

The Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program is focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which means that natural gas heating systems aren’t eligible. However, natural gas furnace upgrades are still available through the Energy Efficiency Assistance Program and Métis Energy Efficiency Offers. 

How does this connect to the Affordable Home Energy Program? 

The Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program strengthens the Affordable Home Energy Program by fully covering the cost of ground source heat pumps. With this support, there is no longer a requirement for an income-based loan for ground source heat pumps. Instead, the full cost is covered upfront— making them free for eligible homeowners and renters. 

How does the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program work with the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program? 

The Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program complements the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program. Manitobans can now apply for both programs — combining support to cover retrofits and switch from oil heating to a heat pump.  

Through the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program, families can access up to $20,000 in upfront support for a heat pump system. Additionally, with the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program, further upgrades are provided at no cost. Together, these programs make energy efficiency more accessible and affordable. 

FIND & FIX LEAKS TO LOWER YOUR ENERGY COSTS

New leaks in your facility constantly arise, wasting energy and money. These leaks often go unnoticed, making regular inspections and repairs crucial for saving energy and lowering operating costs. 

We cover 50% of the cost of a leak assessment and provide incentives to fix the leaks. 

Our pre-qualified service providers will visit your facility and identify leaks, quantify the benefits, and help you access your incentives. 

This program is ideal for industrial, commercial, and agricultural facilities that use large amounts of energy for compressed air or operate large steam boilers and distribution systems with many steam traps for heating or processing. 

There are three ways to enter for your chance to win one of six prize packs which include a smart thermostat, energy-saving devices, and Efficiency Manitoba merchandise:

The deadline to enter is 11:59 p.m. CT on Monday, August 4, 2025. Everyone who’s already subscribed to our newsletter or following us on social media will automatically be entered into the giveaway.

The winners will be notified via email or direct message on Facebook and Instagram by August 11, 2025.

Best of luck!

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.

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. 

ENERGY-EFFICIENT HEATING & COOLING FOR YOUR HOME

Ground source heat pumps are efficient and environmentally friendly. They can reduce your electric heating costs by up to 60%, protect you from the impacts of future heating costs, and help you save for years to come.

A ground source heat pump circulates fluid through a loop of pipes buried underground. In heating mode, the fluid absorbs heat from the earth, which stays at a stable temperature regardless of the temperature above ground. In summer, the process is reversed, redistributing heat back into the ground.

We offer financial support to make your upgrade to a ground source heat pump easier and more affordable.

Qualifying homeowners can install a ground source heat pump with no upfront cost* and an interest-free monthly payment of $75 for 15 years (total cost of $13,500).

*Upgrades required to your home’s equipment due to the ground source heat pump installation may require upfront payment to your contractor. Projects exceeding $38,000 will require an upfront contribution.

This enhanced offer is an initiative of the Affordable Home Energy Program.

We have enhanced rebates and incentives to help with the cost of installing ground source heat pumps and air source heat pumps in Manitoba homes.

ENERGY-EFFICIENT HEATING & COOLING FOR MANITOBA HOMES

Efficiency Manitoba is supporting the delivery of the Affordable Home Energy Program by providing financial support for the installation of energy-efficient heat pump systems in Manitoba homes. We have multiple offers available to help Manitobans upgrade their home heating system to a ground source heat pump.

ENERGY-EFFICIENT HEATING & COOLING FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Ground source heat pumps are efficient and environmentally friendly. They can reduce your electric heating costs, protect you from the impacts of future heating costs, and help you save for years to come.

A ground source heat pump circulates fluid through a loop of pipes buried underground. In heating mode, the fluid absorbs heat from the earth, which stays at a stable temperature regardless of the temperature above ground. In summer, the process is reversed, redistributing heat back into the ground.