Hydro-Québec changed the rules of Solutions efficaces, its energy-efficiency program for business customers, on March 31, 2026. The notice to partners introduced version 6.0 of the program's OSE calculation tool, narrowed which air-source heat pumps qualify and added bonuses for projects that combine measures. The changes took effect the day they were published. Details are as of October 2026.
The heat pump change in one line
Only ENERGY STAR-certified air-to-air mini-split heat pumps now qualify for support under Solutions efficaces.
The notice refers to biblocs, the split systems with an indoor and an outdoor unit. Contractors quoting commercial or institutional jobs in Quebec should check certification status before they put a model in a proposal that assumes Hydro-Québec support. The notice does not describe separate rules for other heat pump configurations, so anything outside that category should be confirmed with Hydro-Québec before it is priced.
Bonuses for combined projects
The new version rewards clients who bundle geothermal with other measures.
Under OSE 6.0, a project combining two of three measures (heat recovery, geothermal heat pumps and building-envelope improvements) earns a 10% bonus, and a project with all three earns 15%. Envelope measures were added to the tool, and the notice says support for them can be up to 20 times higher than under version 5.1. New support for photovoltaic panels was also introduced.
Other changes in the same notice:
- Incentive calculation: the percentage of support now rises with project size, and there is no longer a minimum annual support threshold. Hydro-Québec says the new calculation applies retroactively to projects submitted since January 1, 2026.
- Lighting: support for DLC Premium LEDs was reduced and support for DLC standard LEDs removed.
- LogisVert: new support for solar panels on the residential side.
Which rules apply to which project
The work start date decides the version, and Hydro-Québec defines it narrowly.
Projects with a work start date before March 31, 2026 should check the OSE page for the version that applies to them. The notice defines the work start date as the earlier of signing the first contract with a contractor or making the first equipment purchase. For an installer, that means the date on your signed agreement can decide which set of rules your client's project falls under.
The residential LogisVert guide also notes that work in common areas and commercial spaces of residential buildings with 20 or more units is not covered by LogisVert, but may be eligible under Solutions efficaces.
Analysis: what this means for heat pump contractors
This section is our analysis of the notice, not Hydro-Québec's guidance.
Commercial heat pump work in Quebec is now more sensitive to the spec sheet and to the paperwork timeline.
- Lead with certified equipment. If your commercial line card mixes certified and uncertified mini-splits, your proposals and your website should make clear which models are eligible. A proposal that assumes support for an uncertified unit is a credibility problem when the owner finds out.
- Sell the bundle, carefully. A geothermal contractor who partners with an envelope or ventilation firm can now show a client a measurable bonus for combining scopes. Present it as Hydro-Québec's calculation, with the percentage and the date of the rules, rather than as a discount of your own.
- Mind the contract date. Because the start date is the first signed contract or purchase, a client who signs early may be locked into the older version. Explain this in plain language before the signature.
- Write for a B2B searcher. Property managers and building owners search differently from homeowners. Pages aimed at them need program names, building types and decision timelines, which is the kind of page we build under program landing pages.
For the residential multiplex bonus that followed in May, read our Quebec multiplex report. For our wider view of the Quebec market, see the Quebec coverage page.
What to watch next
Hydro-Québec versions both programs, so check the date before you quote.
Solutions efficaces now runs on OSE 6.0, and LogisVert had reached guide version 1.10 by September 2026. Confirm the current version with Hydro-Québec before you rely on any figure here. Other program news is in the newsroom, and if you want help turning changes like these into pages and campaigns, call, text or email us.
Frequently asked questions
What changed for heat pumps in Solutions efficaces?
As of the March 31, 2026 notice, only ENERGY STAR-certified air-to-air mini-split (bibloc) heat pumps qualify for support. Geothermal heat pumps also count toward a new multi-measure bonus when combined with heat recovery or envelope work.
Which version of the rules applies to a project already under way?
Hydro-Québec says projects whose work started before March 31, 2026 should check the OSE page for the version that applies. The work start date is the earlier of the first signed contractor contract or the first equipment purchase.
Does this affect residential LogisVert heat pump grants?
The notice adds new LogisVert support for solar panels. Residential heat pump grant rules are set in the separate LogisVert guide, which was at version 1.10 dated September 15, 2026 when we checked.
Is Solutions efficaces for homeowners?
No. It is Hydro-Québec's program for business customers and its program partners. Common areas of large residential buildings can fall under it, according to the LogisVert guide.