Natural Resources Canada has set out the filters that decide which heat pumps appear on its searchable eligible-product lists, the lists many Canadian rebate programs point to. The page, How products are listed with the Canada Greener Homes Initiative, was last modified on July 10, 2026. Below is what it says, as of October 2026, and what it means for installers who quote rebate jobs.
Three lists, not one
NRCan maintains three separate searchable lists, and the right one depends on the program and the province.
- Eligible cold-climate air source heat pumps for the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) program
- Eligible air source and cold-climate air source heat pumps for every province and territory except Quebec and Nova Scotia
- Eligible cold-climate air source heat pumps for Quebec and Nova Scotia only
The lists draw on three sources: ENERGY STAR-certified air source heat pumps submitted by the US EPA to AHRI, the cold-climate list kept by the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP), and NRCan's own list of heat pumps regulated in Canada. Products must be sold in Canada.
The performance filters
Two sets of thresholds apply, one for standard ENERGY STAR units and a tighter one for cold-climate units.
| Criterion | ENERGY STAR units | Cold-climate units |
|---|---|---|
| HSPF2 (Region V) | 6.6 or higher | 6.6 or higher |
| SEER2 | 15.2 or higher | 15.2 or higher |
| Capacity at -15 °C vs rated 8.3 °C (max output) | not required | 70% or more |
| COP at -15 °C (max capacity) | not required | 1.8 or more |
| Compressor | not specified | 3+ speeds or continuously variable |
| Listing status | Active or Production Stopped | Live |
A unit that is both ENERGY STAR certified and meets the cold-climate tests is listed once, as cold-climate, which NRCan says is done to maximize the grant. "Coils only" systems (AHRI type HRCU-A-C) are eligible for OHPA only when paired with an electric furnace.
The Region IV phase-out
Older HSPF ratings no longer get a unit onto the lists.
NRCan states that systems rated HSPF Region IV of 10 or more are no longer being added to the eligible lists. Systems already listed on that basis were eligible until June 1, 2025. In practice, that means the HSPF2 Region V figure on the AHRI certificate is now the number to check first when a homeowner asks whether a model qualifies.
Update schedule
The lists move four times a year, and manufacturers drive the timing.
Updates happen in March, June, September and December, with manufacturer data due by February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1 respectively. A model launched mid-quarter may not appear until the next update.
Analysis: what this means for heat pump contractors
This section is our analysis, not NRCan guidance.
The list is now a sales tool as much as a compliance check.
- Check the list before you quote, not after. Programs such as Ontario's Home Renovation Savings require cold-climate air source models to be active on NRCan's qualified list. Quoting a model that is missing, or on the wrong regional list, puts the homeowner's rebate at risk. Our Ontario rebate report covers that program in detail.
- Explain the numbers in homeowner language. "Keeps at least 70% of its heating output at -15 °C" is more persuasive than "ccASHP". Product pages that translate the criteria are good candidates for heat pump SEO.
- Watch the quarter. If a manufacturer tells you a new model is coming, ask when it reports to NRCan. Plan promotions around the update months rather than the launch date.
- Keep your line card current on your site. If a model drops off, remove claims that it qualifies. We build installer websites so that these changes are a quick edit, with a visible as-of date.
A quick pre-quote check
Four questions an installer can answer in two minutes before naming a model.
- Which program will the homeowner use, and which NRCan list does it point to?
- Is the outdoor and indoor combination listed under one AHRI reference number?
- Is the listing status current (Live or Active)?
- Will the next quarterly update land before the installation date?
Related standards news
NRCan's list depends partly on NEEP's cold-climate specification, which is itself under revision. Read our report on the NEEP Version 5.0 proposal, or browse the newsroom for program updates by province. Questions about using this in your marketing: call, text or email us.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a heat pump cold-climate on NRCan's lists?
As of the July 10, 2026 page, a cold-climate unit needs HSPF2 Region V of at least 6.6, SEER2 of at least 15.2, at least 70% of its rated 8.3 °C capacity available at -15 °C at maximum output, a COP of at least 1.8 at -15 °C, and a compressor with three or more speeds or continuous variability.
Can a unit rated only in HSPF Region IV still be added?
No. NRCan says systems with an HSPF Region IV rating of 10 or more are no longer being added, and those already listed on that basis were eligible until June 1, 2025.
How often are the lists updated?
Quarterly, in March, June, September and December. Manufacturers report data by February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1 respectively.
Do other programs rely on NRCan's list?
Some do. Ontario's Home Renovation Savings program, for example, requires cold-climate air source models to be active on NRCan's qualified products list. Always check the specific program's rules.