FortisBC dual fuel heating system rebate

Space heating is the largest use of energy in homes. A properly installed dual fuel heating system is more efficient than other alternatives and can provide you with both heating and cooling for today’s cold winters and hot summers.

A dual fuel heating system combines a ducted heat pump and a gas or propane furnace for back up heating, distributing heat and cooling through ductwork connected to vents in each room. A switch-over set point temperature determines when the backup furnace turns on.

FortisBC dual fuel heating system rebate

Overview

Rebate amount

$10,000

Who can apply

B.C. citizens who live in an eligible home and have a FortisBC residential gas account

Deadline

Application must be submitted within 6 months of the invoice date

Qualifying products

Must be on the qualified product list

Funding provided by

FortisBC

Rebate amount

Requirements

HSPF ≥ 10.00 and SEER ≥ 16.00 or HSPF2 ≥ 8.50 and SEER2 ≥ 15.20**

Variable speed compressor is not required

Primary fuel before upgrade

Rebate

Fossil fuel (natural gas or propane)

$10,000

Natural gas or propane***

Northern offer*

$13,000

*Eligible homes must be located north of and including the District of 100 Mile House (latitude 51.628°N) and must be connected to BC Hydro electric service.

**The CleanBC Home Renovation Rebate Program and FortisBC programs accept either the HSPF/SEER or HSPF2/SEER2 testing standard data from AHRI. The new HSPF2/SEER2 testing standard tests heat pumps to a higher standard that better represents homes in Canada, resulting in different efficiency data. An eligible heat pump that meets either the HSPF/SEER requirements or the HSPF2/SEER2 requirements and is on our qualified product list will qualify for a rebate.

***Available for Revelstoke residential customers receiving piped propane supplied by FortisBC.

Related rebates

An additional $150 is available for installing an eligible connected thermostat.
A FortisBC dual fuel heating system upgrade counts as one upgrade toward the Two Upgrade Bonus or the Home Energy Improvement Bonus.

Eligibility requirements

In order to qualify for this rebate, all of the following requirements must be met. Please read them carefully. Contact FortisBC if you have questions.

Please note: You may be eligible for one primary space heating system rebate per home, regardless of the number installed. For example, you cannot get rebates for a heat pump, even if you install a dual fuel heating system. Your second rebate application will be denied.

Requirements for the home

You must live in an eligible home:

The home must be a year-round primary residence that is at least 12 months old.
You must have a residential FortisBC natural gas account.
The home must be one of the following types:
- Single family home (detached dwelling)
- Secondary suite in a single-family home (detached dwelling), with its own separate utility meter
- Mobile home that is permanently fixed, sits on a foundation and is structurally complete with installed and connected plumbing, heating, electrical, water and sewer services; towing apparatus and axle must be removed
- Duplex, triplex, row home or townhome, where each unit has its own natural gas and/or electricity meter; utility accounts must be in the name of the resident and/or homeowner. Utility accounts in the name of a strata corporation are not eligible.
Your home must be primarily heated with natural gas or piped propane supplied by FortisBC.

Requirements for your contractor

The new dual fuel heating system must be installed:

By a licensed gas contractor who is a Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN) member to be eligible for rebates. To identify contractors in your region, use the Find a Contractor search tool. Self-installations are not eligible.
- Contractors interested in becoming registered in to become a HPCN member can register at homeperformance.ca/contractornetwork.
In accordance with the Heat Pump Best Practices Guide for Existing Homes and the High-efficiency Furnace Installation Guide for Existing Houses.

Requirements for the upgrade

The new dual fuel heating system must:

Replace the existing furnace, that must be at least 10 years old.
Be sized to function as the primary heating system of the home.
Have a minimum capacity of 12,000 BTU (1 ton).
Have an AHRI certified reference number that references all components of the heat pump.
- The AHRI certified reference number for dual fuel heating systems must show the outdoor unit, indoor unit and furnace.
Be listed as a qualified system on the Qualified Heat Pump Product List.
Have the thermostat, outdoor temperature switch-over control or equipment control board set to the following temperatures for the life of the system:
- Vancouver Island and Lower Mainland: <5^oC
- Southern Interior and Northern BC: <2^oC
Be sized to ensure that it has the capacity to meet the heat demand at or below the required temperature set points.
Be installed in accordance with the Heat Pump Best Practices Installation Guide for Existing Homes and the High-efficiency Furnace Installation Guide for Existing Houses.
A heat load calculation is required and must be submitted to access the rebate. See What are the load calculation requirements for heat pumps?

Requirements for the equipment being replaced

The old heating system must also meet requirements in order to be eligible for this rebate. Select your existing system type to learn more.

Replacing an electric heating system

Replacing an existing electric heating system is not eligible for a dual fuel heating system rebate

Replacing a natural gas or propane heating system

Your home must have had natural gas or propane as the primary heating system for at least 12 consecutive months. This may be confirmed by reviewing your utility billing history.
The new dual fuel heating system must be replacing an existing gas or propane furnace that is at least 10 years old.
Boilers are not eligible for a dual fuel heating system rebate.

Replacing a wood or solid fuel heating system

Replacement of a wood or solid fuel heating system is not eligible for a dual fuel heating system rebate.

Deadlines

The application must be submitted within 6 months of the invoice date of the upgrade.

How to apply

Before you begin

Carefully read the Program Requirements and Additional Terms and Conditions to confirm your eligibility.
Purchase an eligible dual fuel heating system and have it installed by an eligible contractor.
Once your upgrades are installed, complete the online application and upload all supporting documentation including copies of all receipts and invoices. See sample invoices.