Yukon heat pump program sells out in less than 3 weeks, additional applicants waitlisted

The Yukon's affordable heat pump program is already sold out for 2025, the territorial government says.

Funding has been approved for 84 households, which will use up all of the money available for this year. The program filled up less than three weeks after it was announced.

"We had a huge flood of applications over Christmas," said Shane Andre, director of the government's energy branch.

Homeowners can still apply for the money, but they'll be waitlisted until more funding is available in 2026 – unless more becomes available to reopen the program sooner.

"With the success of this program, we're going to seek additional federal funding, and I'm hopeful we might receive some," Andre said.

The $2.4-million fund is promised over three years, with combined federal and territorial money.

Yukon homeowners can apply for a maximum of $24,000 per household. There are additional rebates available to install heat pumps in homes that use oil, propane or electric baseboards.

The fund is intended for low- to median-income households below the income eligibility threshold. Applicants must own the home as their primary residence, and the house must be more than six months old.