Rebates can cover a big part of a new heat pump in BC, but the rules are easy to get wrong. Miss one step and you can lose thousands. Here’s what’s available to Lower Mainland homeowners, who qualifies, and how to make sure you get paid.
The short version
| Program | What it’s for | Up to |
|---|---|---|
| FortisBC dual fuel heat pump rebate | Adding a heat pump to a gas furnace you keep as backup | $4,000 ($8,000 if income-qualified) |
| BC Hydro heat pump rebate | Heat pumps in homes heated mainly by electricity | $4,000 whole home, $1,500 partial |
| CleanBC Energy Savings Program | Income-qualified households switching off gas | $13,000 (ducted) |
You generally can’t stack the FortisBC and BC Hydro heat pump rebates on the same equipment. Which one you get depends on how your home is heated now.
FortisBC dual fuel rebate: who it's for
This one suits most Surrey, Langley and Delta homes that already have natural gas. The idea is simple: you add an electric heat pump, keep a gas furnace as backup, and the heat pump does most of the heating.
To qualify you typically need to:
- Be a FortisBC natural gas residential customer.
- Install a qualifying heat pump (it must be on the program’s eligible equipment list).
- Use a Technical Safety BC licensed gas contractor in the Home Performance Contractor Network.
- Have a gas furnace 15 years or older, replaced with a 95% furnace matched to the heat pump.
- Apply within six months of the paid invoice.
BC Hydro heat pump rebate: who it's for
This is for homes heated mainly by electricity: baseboards, an electric furnace or an older electric system. It’s common in older townhomes and in basement suites, and in rural parts of Abbotsford and Langley without gas service.
Income-qualified rebates
If your household income is under the program limits, you may qualify for much higher rebates: FortisBC doubles the dual fuel rebate to $8,000, and the CleanBC Energy Savings Program pays up to $13,000 for a ducted heat pump if you’re switching off gas. It’s worth checking even if you don’t think you’ll qualify.
The mistakes that cost people their rebate
- Buying equipment that isn’t on the list. Not every heat pump qualifies, even good ones. We check the model number against the current list before we quote.
- Using an unregistered contractor. Most programs require a contractor in their network. Ask to see it.
- Missing the deadline. FortisBC and BC Hydro claims are due within six months of the paid invoice.
- Losing the paperwork. Keep the invoice, the model and serial numbers, and the gas permit number. We give you a rebate package with everything in one place.
- Assuming rebates stack. In most cases you get one heat pump rebate, not two.
- Starting work before you register for the CleanBC Energy Savings Program, which requires registration first.
How the process works with us
- Free in-home visit. We look at your furnace, ducts and panel, and confirm which program fits.
- Quote with the rebate shown. You see the full price and the expected rebate as separate lines. We don’t hide the rebate inside the price.
- Install and permits. We pull the gas and electrical permits as needed and install the system, usually in 1–2 days.
- Paperwork. We give you everything the application needs, and we walk you through submitting it.
- Rebate paid. The program pays you directly once your claim is approved.
What does a heat pump cost after rebates?
A typical dual fuel install in Surrey runs $9,000–$16,000 before rebates. The FortisBC rebate takes $4,000 off that, or $8,000 for income-qualified households. A ductless mini-split for a basement suite runs $4,500–$7,500 per zone before rebates.
Is it worth it if I don't need A/C?
Maybe not right away. But if your furnace is 15 or more years old, the rebate is often the best time to upgrade. You get efficient heating, cooling for the next heat wave, and a backup furnace, for not much more than a new furnace alone.
FAQ
Do I get the rebate as a cheque or a credit? It’s paid to you by the program, not taken off our invoice.
Can I get a rebate on a mini-split? Often, yes, if the model qualifies and your home’s heating type matches the program.
Do I need a permit? Yes. The electrical work needs a permit, and so does any gas work. Rebate programs may ask for the permit number.
I’m on strata. Can I still get a rebate? Yes, but you’ll need strata approval for the outdoor unit first.
Are rebates going away? They change every year or two. If you’re thinking about it, don’t wait for a better deal that may never come.
Get a rebate-ready quote
We’ll tell you which rebate you qualify for before you spend anything. Book a free quote or call 778-903-2414.
Related: heat pump rebates · heat pump installation · heat pump vs furnace · HVAC Delta
