As energy costs rise and awareness of climate impacts grows, many Saskatchewan homeowners are looking to upgrade their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to greener, more efficient technologies. The good news is: several rebate and incentive programs across Saskatchewan help reduce the upfront cost of these upgrades. In this guide, we’ll explore the top energy rebates in Saskatchewan that support green HVAC upgrades—what qualifies, how to apply, and tips to get the most from your investment.
Why Upgrade to Green HVAC?
Green HVAC upgrades—such as efficient furnaces, heat pumps, energy recovery ventilators (ERV/HRV), and smart thermostats—not only lower your carbon footprint, they also reduce monthly energy bills, improve indoor comfort, and increase home value. But the upfront cost can be a barrier. That’s where rebate and incentive programs come in, helping homeowners bridge that gap.
Major Rebate & Incentive Programs in Saskatchewan
1. SaskEnergy’s Residential Equipment Replacement Rebate
One of the most direct incentives for HVAC upgrades is SaskEnergy’s Residential Equipment Replacement Rebate. This rebate supports customers who replace older natural gas equipment with high-efficiency models. saskenergy.com+1
Key details:
- To participate, installations must be done by a SaskEnergy Network Member or a Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan (TSASK)-licensed gas contractor. saskenergy.com
- Eligible equipment includes:
• Furnaces (96.0%–96.9% AFUE) — rebate $325 saskenergy.com
• Furnaces (≥ 97% AFUE) — rebate $650 saskenergy.com
• Boilers (≥ 95% AFUE) — rebate $10 per MBH (capped at $2,000 per home) saskenergy.com
• Combi boilers (≥ 95% AFUE) — rebate $800 saskenergy.com
• Tankless or condensing water heaters — rebate up to $1,000 saskenergy.com
• Heat recovery ventilators (ENERGY STAR certified) — rebate $100 (for existing homes) saskenergy.com - The rebate application must be submitted within 90 days of equipment installation. saskenergy.com
This program is ideal for homeowners replacing gas-fired furnaces, boilers, or adding ventilation upgrades like HRVs in existing homes.
2. Home Efficiency Retrofit Rebate (HERR) – SaskPower & SaskEnergy
While not exclusively HVAC, the Home Efficiency Retrofit Rebate (HERR) helps with improving the thermal envelope of your home—an important complement to HVAC upgrades. saskpower.com
Highlights:
- Offers up to $1,800 in rebates for improvements such as high-performance windows, doors, insulation, and air sealing. saskpower.com
- An additional $200 is available to offset the cost of EnerGuide home energy evaluations (pre- and post-retrofit) required by the program. saskpower.com
- Better building envelope performance reduces the heating/cooling load, making HVAC upgrades more effective and efficient.
By combining HERR with an HVAC upgrade, homeowners can maximize energy savings and qualify for multiple rebates.
3. City & Local Rebate Programs (e.g. Regina Retrofit Rebate)
Some cities in Saskatchewan also offer complementary rebates tied to federal or provincial programs:
- The City of Regina’s Residential Retrofit Rebate Program provided matching funding up to $5,000 for eligible retrofits when paired with the Canada Greener Homes Grant. City of Regina
- While that particular program has had limited windows and specific eligibility, it illustrates how municipal incentives may augment provincial/federal rebates.
If your city has a local retrofit or home improvement incentive, it’s worth checking whether they align with HVAC upgrades.
4. Federal Programs & Loans (Canada-Wide)
Though targeted at the national level, Saskatchewan homeowners can also leverage federal incentives:
- The Canada Greener Homes Grant allowed homeowners to claim grants from $125 up to $5,000 for eligible retrofits—including heat pumps, insulation, windows, and more. Natural Resources Canada
- However, as of 2025, the Greener Homes Grant is currently closed to new applicants. FurnacePrices.ca+1
- The Canada Greener Homes Loan remains available: it offers interest-free financing up to $40,000 for eligible retrofits. FurnacePrices.ca+2properate.io+2
- Using a federal loan alongside a provincial rebate can help ease cash-flow constraints while still capturing energy savings.
How to Qualify & Maximize Your Rebates
To make sure your project qualifies and you get the full benefit of these programs, follow these tips:
- Start with an energy audit. For programs like HERR, you may need pre- and post-retrofit evaluations (e.g. via EnerGuide).
- Hire qualified contractors. Use licensed, certified, or network-member contractors (e.g. TSASK-licensed) as required by rebate programs (especially for SaskEnergy’s equipment rebate). saskenergy.com+1
- Use qualifying equipment. Verify that the furnace, heat pump, boiler, HRV/ERV, etc. meet or exceed program efficiency thresholds and are on eligible equipment lists.
- Bundle projects. Combine envelope improvements (insulation, air sealing) with HVAC upgrades to maximize energy savings and access multiple rebates.
- Observe deadlines and documentation. Submit applications within required windows (e.g. within 90 days of installation for SaskEnergy) and keep thorough invoices, receipts, and audit reports.
- Leverage multiple programs when possible. Stack provincial rebates with federal loans and any local municipal incentives to reduce out-of-pocket cost.
Choosing the Right Green HVAC Upgrade
When selecting HVAC upgrades, consider:
- Cold-climate air-source heat pumps: highly efficient in Saskatchewan’s cold weather—especially when combined with good insulation.
- High-efficiency gas furnaces or boilers, if your home is already gas-based.
- Ventilation systems (HRV/ERV) can balance fresh air needs while retaining heat.
- Smart thermostats or zoning controls to further reduce wasted energy.
Tracking Long-Term Benefits
By combining HVAC rebates with envelope improvements, homeowners in Saskatchewan can often recoup a large share of their investment in 5–10 years through energy bill savings. The environmental benefits—lower greenhouse gas emissions and more sustainable homes—add further value.
Final Thoughts
If you live in Saskatchewan and are considering a green HVAC upgrade, now’s a good time to explore rebate programs. Start with the SaskEnergy Residential Equipment Replacement Rebate, pair it with the Home Efficiency Retrofit Rebate (HERR) where possible, and look for any local municipal incentives in your city. Even though some federal grants are closed to new applicants, the Canada Greener Homes Loan is still available to help with financing.
Be sure to work with qualified contractors, follow program rules, and stack multiple incentives to get the best return. Ultimately, upgrading to efficient heating, cooling, and ventilation now not only saves you money—but also helps build a greener future across Saskatchewan.