ENERGY STAR's Information for Energy Efficiency Program Planning, dated December 2025, is a short reference for utilities and program designers. Its water heater section confirms that Version 5.0 is the current residential specification and lists the efficiency levels a model must meet. Because several Canadian rebates use ENERGY STAR certification as their test, those numbers decide which heat pump water heaters a contractor can safely pitch with a rebate attached.
The residential criteria
The short answer: UEF of 3.30 for most heat pump units, with lower bars for two niche designs.
The planning sheet lists these Version 5.0 levels, all measured as uniform energy factor (UEF):
| Product type | ENERGY STAR minimum |
|---|---|
| Integrated heat pump water heater | UEF 3.30 |
| Integrated heat pump water heater on a 120-volt, 15-amp circuit | UEF 2.20 |
| Split-system heat pump water heater | UEF 2.20 |
| Gas storage, over 20 and up to 55 gallons, medium draw | UEF 0.81 |
| Gas storage, over 20 and up to 55 gallons, high draw | UEF 0.86 |
| Gas storage, over 55 gallons | UEF 0.86 |
| Gas instantaneous, any size | UEF 0.95 |
The sheet notes that all residential water heaters fall under one specification, and that the recent update affected gas units only: criteria were moved to a high-efficiency, condensing-equivalent level, and the older EF metric was removed as a certification option.
Commercial heat pump water heaters
The short answer: a first specification was drafted and then paused.
The same document lists a Version 1.0 specification for integrated and central commercial heat pump water heaters as under development, with the draft comment period closed, stakeholder comments posted and the work "currently paused". It also notes that a test method for central heat pump water heater systems was finalized. On the Canadian side, the ENERGY STAR Canada communiqué list kept by Natural Resources Canada shows a December 13, 2024 notice on the final draft of that test method. The same list records a March 10, 2026 notice on the gradual resumption of ENERGY STAR Canada communications.
Why Canadian contractors should care
The short answer: rebates are written around the label.
When we checked the programs in October 2026:
- Save on Energy's Home Renovation Savings program in Ontario listed $500 back on qualified heat pump water heaters, with an ENERGY STAR certified model required. The rebate sat in the bundle path, which starts with a home energy assessment and needs two or more upgrades.
- Save Energy NB listed a $550 heat pump water heater rebate for ENERGY STAR certified equipment, alongside a $400 drain water heat recovery rebate.
Programs change, so confirm terms with each administrator before quoting. Our rebate roundup covers these and others in one place.
Reading a UEF number
The short answer: higher is better, but compare like with like.
Uniform energy factor is a single rating from a standard test that reflects how much of the energy a water heater uses ends up as hot water over a typical day. A heat pump unit can score above 3 because it moves heat from the surrounding air rather than making it all with an element or a burner. That is why heat pump and gas numbers sit on such different scales in the table above. For a homeowner, the useful comparison is between models of the same type and size. A 3.30 integrated unit and a 2.20 plug-in unit are both certifiable in their own categories, yet they will not use the same energy in the same basement. Draw pattern and first-hour rating matter too, since a tank that runs short on a busy morning leads to unhappy calls regardless of its rating.
Analysis: what it means for contractors
This section is our analysis, not part of the ENERGY STAR document.
- Model numbers, not brand names, carry the rebate. A manufacturer can have certified and uncertified models in the same line. Check the exact model before a salesperson says "rebate eligible".
- Gas storage claims need care. With gas criteria now at a condensing-equivalent level, a standard atmospheric tank is unlikely to carry the label. Say "high-efficiency" only when the rating supports it.
- The 120-volt category is a sales story. Plug-in heat pump units with a lower UEF bar can suit replacements where a new 240-volt circuit is costly. Explain the trade-off rather than leading with the label.
- Write it down on your site. Homeowners search for these terms. A plain-language explainer that names the criteria and links the source builds trust; that is the core of our heat pump water heater marketing work.
WaterHeaterNews.ca reports and markets; we are not a contractor and do not install or certify equipment. More stories are in the newsroom.
Frequently asked questions
What UEF does a heat pump water heater need for ENERGY STAR?
The December 2025 planning sheet lists a UEF of at least 3.30 for integrated heat pump water heaters, and at least 2.20 for 120-volt, 15-amp integrated units and for split systems, under Version 5.0.
Did the latest specification change affect heat pump units?
According to the sheet, the recent update affected gas water heaters only. It raised gas criteria to a condensing-equivalent level and dropped the older energy factor (EF) metric in favour of UEF.
Is there an ENERGY STAR specification for commercial heat pump water heaters?
A Version 1.0 specification was under development. As of December 2025 the draft comment period had closed and the work was listed as paused.
Which Canadian rebates require ENERGY STAR?
When we checked in October 2026, Save on Energy's $500 heat pump water heater rebate in Ontario and Save Energy NB's $550 rebate both required ENERGY STAR certified models. Confirm with each administrator before quoting.