Heat pump installation guide
Installing a heat pump in your home can be a big project. To make the installation and rebate process as quick and easy as possible, we've broken it down into simple steps.
How to install a heat pump and get a rebate
1. Confirm that you're eligible
Review our program eligibility to ensure your home is eligible for a renovation rebate. Then, review the eligibility criteria for heat pumps.
Is your home electrically heated? If your home is electrically heated by BC Hydro, you'll need to check that you meet our minimum electricity consumption requirement.
2. Hire a registered contractor
To qualify for rebates, the work needs to be done by a Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN) member. We recommend that you get multiple quotes to determine the service provider that best meets your needs. Self installations are not eligible.
Need help finding a qualified contractor? Use our list of registered contractors for your heat pump installation and ask your contractor these important questions [PDF, 81 KB].
3. Choose the right heat pump
Your contractor will help you select the right heat pump that will get you the efficiency improvements you're looking for. It might be less expensive to heat your home with a heat pump, use our online heat pump calculator to learn more.
Replacing an existing natural gas furnace? A central system heat pump requires ducting, making it a good option when replacing an existing natural gas furnace.
Replacing baseboard heaters? A ductless system doesn’t rely on ducting in the home to move air around, making it a good alternative to electric baseboards.
Learn more about the heating and cooling benefits of a heat pump.
4. Complete the installation and gather your documents
Have your contractor complete the heat pump installation in your home. Make sure that they understand and follow the program eligibility criteria as well as the heat pump-specific installation requirements. It's important that you collect the heat pump installation invoice, you’ll need it when you apply for the rebate.
Upgrading your insulation? If you’re thinking about making upgrades to your home’s insulation, we recommend doing so before installing a heat pump. This will help maximize its performance and efficiency. Learn more about our insulation rebates.
5. Apply for a rebate online
Rebate options
- Heat pump rebates for homes currently heated by electricity: up to $7,000
- Heat pump rebates for homes currently heated by natural gas, oil or propane: up to $11,000
Rebates from 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.
- Greener Homes Grant: up to $5,000
The federal Canada Greener Homes Grant is a separate program with its own application process and eligibility criteria. If you are applying to the Canada Greener Homes Grant, you must hire an energy advisor to perform a pre and post EnerGuide evaluation to qualify for rebates.
Deadlines and required documents
BC Hydro, CleanBC and applicable municipal rebates require a copy of the heat pump invoice. Make sure the invoice meets all the requirements, outlined in our sample heat pump invoice [PDF, 112 KB].
Deadline: You need to apply within six months of the upgrade invoice date.
Once you have your invoice ready, apply for your rebate online. Be sure to have your electric and gas utility account number(s) on hand.
If you're planning on making multiple upgrades, you could get a $300 two upgrade bonus.
Once you apply online, you'll receive an automated email including your application reference number.
Applications may take up to 90 days to process, from the date that all required documents are received. You can track the status of your application online. Once we've reviewed and approved your application, your payment will be issued to you.
An in-home site visit may be required: Some rebate applications are randomly selected for a home visit before a rebate payment is issued. The purpose of the home visit is to verify the equipment/upgrade installed matches what is on the application and the installation was completed according to the best practice guidelines.
If selected for a home visit, our contractor will contact you to schedule the visit. The entire visit will take approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Please make an effort to accommodate the home visit as your application won't be processed until it's complete.
If the site visit does not meet the program requirements, your contractor will be notified and asked to remediate the issue. Once proof of remediation has been submitted by your contractor and has been approved, your application will be processed. If remediation is not completed, your application will be declined.
Questions about the program
If you have questions about your application, please call 1 800 BC HYDRO (1 800 224 9376).
Contact 1 844 881 9790 for a toll-free energy coaching service offered by CleanBC.