Pre-Approval Before Installation — What It Actually Means
Last reviewed: April 17, 2026 · Rules verified against homerenovationsavings.ca
The rule
Installation work cannot begin until you have the written pre-approval letter in hand. Even one day early = rebate denied, no appeal. This is the #1 reason Ontario homeowners lose their heat pump rebate.
What pre-approval actually is
Pre-approval is a formal letter from the Home Renovation Savings Program confirming:
- ✓ Your home qualifies for the rebate
- ✓ The specific equipment is on the qualified list
- ✓ The contractor is registered and allowed to submit
- ✓ The scope of work matches what was applied for
Once you have this letter, installation can proceed. Without it — even if everything is actually eligible — the rebate gets denied because the process wasn't followed.
How pre-approval actually works
Step 1
Contractor submits pre-installation application
Your participating HVAC contractor fills out the pre-installation form and submits it to the HRS portal. You don't submit this — they do.
Step 2
Program reviews the application
The program administrators verify your eligibility, confirm the contractor is registered, and check that the equipment is on the NRCan qualified list. Processing time varies.
Step 3
Written pre-approval letter is issued
You (and your contractor) receive a formal letter confirming approval and the rebate amount. This is the document you've been waiting for.
Step 4
Installation can now begin
Only after the letter is in hand. The installation date must be on or after the pre-approval date for the rebate to be valid.
Why contractors push to start early
Honest question to ask yourself: why would a contractor want to start before pre-approval? A few common reasons:
- Their schedule pressure. They have an open slot on Monday — they want to fill it.
- They know pre-approval is slow. They want to get paid faster.
- They don't believe anyone checks. This is the most dangerous — they're wrong, and you pay the cost.
- They assume verbal approval counts. “I talked to someone at HRS, they said it's fine.” It's not.
None of these are your problem. The program checks installation date vs pre-approval date on every single application. If one is before the other, the rebate is gone.
How to protect yourself
→ Put it in writing
Before signing any contract, get the contractor to commit in writing: "No installation work will begin until the pre-approval letter is received." Email is fine.
→ Never schedule installation speculatively
Don't let the contractor "tentatively book" an installation date that's before you expect pre-approval. Schedule after the letter arrives, not before.
→ Keep the pre-approval letter accessible
Save it to your rebate folder. Photo it on your phone. If the contractor ever asks "did you get the letter yet?" — you should know exactly.
→ Trust nothing verbal
No verbal confirmations count. If a contractor says "we got approved, we can start" — ask to see the written letter. If they can't produce it, installation waits.
→ Know the cost of being wrong
Losing the rebate means paying full price for the heat pump. For an oil-heated home that's $7,500–$22,500 out of pocket that should have been covered. The cost of patience is nothing. The cost of starting early is everything.
The sentence to say to your contractor
“Can you confirm in writing that no installation work will begin until the pre-approval letter is received? I want to make sure we protect the rebate.”
Any contractor who hesitates on this question is a contractor who's about to cost you thousands of dollars. Move on.
Calculate your rebate
Know what's at stake — so you're clear why waiting for pre-approval matters.
Calculate my rebate →Protect your rebate
Heat Pump Rebate Action Pack — $29
Pre-approval is just one of 7 common mistakes that kill rebates. The Action Pack covers all 7 with specific scenarios, plus contractor questions, quote comparison, and document tracking.
See what's inside →Frequently asked questions
What is pre-approval for the Ontario heat pump rebate?
Pre-approval is a written confirmation from the Home Renovation Savings Program that your heat pump installation qualifies for a rebate. It must be received before any installation work begins.
What happens if I start installation before pre-approval?
Automatic rebate disqualification. There is no appeal. Work done before the pre-approval date is not eligible. This is the single biggest reason homeowners lose their rebate.
How long does pre-approval take?
Processing time varies. Do not plan around any specific number of days. Wait for the written pre-approval letter before scheduling installation.