Heat pump rebates for fuel switching
CleanBC Heat Pump Rebate Program update
The Government of B.C. has announced the CleanBC Better Homes Energy Savings Program, providing enhanced rebates for income qualified applicants covering up to 100% of project costs to help make energy-saving upgrades more affordable. Online registration is open as of June 18, 2024.
Currently heated by natural gas, oil or propane? You could get up to $3,000 for going electric
You could get up to $3,000 for switching to an electric heat pump from a fossil fuel heating source. This includes a $1,500 rebate top-up from BC Hydro, which is in addition to CleanBC's existing $1,500 rebate. This means eligible applicants can receive a combined rebate of up to $3,000 from BC Hydro and CleanBC in one application. Rebates are available while funding lasts.
Rebate options
For customers who replace a fossil fuel heating system (natural gas, oil, or propane):
- CleanBC rebate: up to $1,500
- BC Hydro top-up: up to $1,500
- Total combined: up to $3,000
Homes in northern B.C. [PDF, 309 KB] can get a $3,000 top-up.
Some municipalities offer additional top-ups depending on where you live.
*Rebate amounts are subject to change at the discretion of the funding partner and are only available while funding lasts.
For customers who replace a fossil fuel heating system (natural gas, oil, or propane):
- CleanBC rebate: up to $1,500
- BC Hydro top-up: up to $1,500
- Total combined: up to $3,000
Homes in northern B.C. [PDF, 309 KB] can get a $3,000 top-up.
Some municipalities offer additional top-ups depending on where you live.
*Rebate amounts are subject to change at the discretion of the funding partner and are only available while funding lasts.
Including cold climate models
For customers who replace a fossil fuel heating system (natural gas, oil, or propane):
- CleanBC rebate: up to $1,500
- BC Hydro top-up: up to $1,500
- Total combined: up to $3,000
Homes in northern B.C. [PDF, 264 KB] can get a $3,000 top-up.
Some municipalities offer additional top-ups depending on where you live.
*Rebate amounts are subject to change at the discretion of the funding partner and are only available while funding lasts.
Eligibility for the top-up
- You must have a residential account with BC Hydro.
- Your home must currently be primarily heated with natural gas, oil, or propane.
- The heat pump must become the primary heating system of the home. Old and back-up systems powered by fossil fuels must be fully removed (proof is required).
- You must meet our general eligibility requirements, which includes living in an eligible property type.
Product eligibility
- The heat pump must be listed on the rebate-eligible heat pump list
- It must be sufficiently sized to function as the primary heating system for the home.
- A primary heating system must have the capacity to heat a minimum of 50% of the home for the entire heating season to 21ºC.
We accept products tested under the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) and Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) standards, as well as the newer HSPF2 and SEER2 standards. The minimum product requirements under each set of standards are listed below.
Select a type of heat pump below to view additional eligibility criteria:
- The indoor unit of the heat pump serves one zone.
- The indoor unit of the heat pump (head) must serve a main living area (Family room, living room or open-concept kitchen-living room) of the premises.
- Eligible homes must be 1,200 sq.ft or less
- Minimum capacity of 12,000 BTU (1 Ton).
- The system must meet all the following requirements:
- Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 16 or higher, or SEER2 of 15.2 or higher
- Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF Region IV) of 10 or higher, or (HSPF2 Region IV) of 8.5 or higher
- Variable speed compressor (single speed and two stage compressors are not eligible); and
- An AHRI certified reference number that references all components of the heat pump, including outdoor unit and indoor unit.
- The indoor unit of the heat pump serves multiple zones.
- At least one indoor unit (head) must serve a main living area (Family room, living room, or open-concept kitchen-living room) of the premises.
- Must install a minimum of two indoor heads
- Minimum capacity of 12,000 BTU (1 Ton).
- The system must meet all the following requirements:
- Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 16 or higher, or (SEER2) of 15.2 or higher
- Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF Region IV) of 10 or higher, or (HSPF2 Region IV) of 8.5 or higher
- Variable speed compressor (single speed and two stage compressors are not eligible); and
- An AHRI certified reference number that references the outdoor unit.
- The indoor unit of the heat pump serves multiple zones.
- At least one indoor unit (head) must serve a main living area (Family room, living room, or open-concept kitchen-living room) of the premises.
- Minimum capacity of 12,000 BTU (1 Ton).
- The system must meet all the following requirements:
- Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 16 or higher, or (SEER2) of 15.2 or higher
- Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF Region IV) of 10 or higher, or (HSPF2 Region IV) of 8.5 or higher
- Variable speed compressor (single speed and two stage compressors are not eligible),
- An AHRI certified reference number that references all components of the heat pump, including outdoor unit, indoor unit(s), and air handler or furnace; and
- Have a maximum static pressure of 0.6” WC or more; heat pumps with a maximum static pressure of less than 0.6” WC are considered ductless mini-split or multi-split heat pumps and may qualify for the ductless mini-split or multi-split heat pump rebate instead.
Currently heated by electricity?
Electrically heated homes aren’t eligible for this top-up, but can still get a rebate of up to $2,000 for installing a heat pump. This existing rebate has been available since 2014 and more than 10,000 customers have received it.
How to apply
- Review the eligibility criteria above to make sure you're eligible.
- We recommend you get three quotes from contractors. For heat pump rebates, additional contractor requirements apply.
- Once you've secured your contractor, install your heat pump. Be sure to keep copies of your installation invoice and any other supporting documentation.
- When the upgrade is done, complete our online application. BC Hydro, CleanBC and applicable municipal rebates are all handled together; there’s no separate application for the fuel-switching top-ups. The top-ups will be added to your rebate amount.
*Canada Greener Homes is a separate program with its own application process and eligibility criteria. If all criteria are met, it can be combined with BC Hydro, Clean BC and municipal rebates. View full details
Helping to create a cleaner B.C.
Despite having access to the cleanest energy in western North America, 54% of homes in B.C. are still primarily heated by fossil fuels, and 42% of homes use fossil fuels for water heating.
Electrification is the clear path forward to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and this rebate is one of many initiatives included in our Electrification Plan.