Space heating is the largest use of energy in homes. A properly installed heat pump is two to three times more efficient than other alternatives and can provide you with both heating and cooling for today’s cold winters and hot summers.
Air-to-water heat pumps use a hydronic distribution system to heat and cool the home with a series of radiators or in-floor heating. A combination air-to-water heat pump also provides domestic hot water heating. For more information, see what is a heat pump and what are its benefits?
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Combined Space and Hot Water Air-to-Water Heat Pump Rebate
Space heating is the largest use of energy in homes. A properly installed heat pump is two to three times more efficient than other alternatives and can provide you with both heating and cooling for today’s cold winters and hot summers.
Air-to-water heat pumps use a hydronic distribution system to heat and cool the home with a series of radiators or in-floor heating. A combination air-to-water heat pump also provides domestic hot water heating. For more information, see what is a heat pump and what are its benefits?
Overview
Rebate Amount:
Up to $2,500 (plus northern top-up)
Who Can Apply:
B.C. citizens who live in an eligible home and have residential utility accounts with BC Hydro, FortisBC, or municipal utility
Deadline:
Application must be submitted within 6 months of the invoice date
Qualifying Products:
Funding Provided By:
The Province of British Columbia
Rebate Amount
| Heat pump type requirements | Primary fuel before upgrade | Rebate |
|---|---|
Combination Space and Water Heat Pump The heat pump must be on the Air-to-Water and Combination Heat Pump Qualified Product List to be eligible |
|
Fossil Fuel Primary Space Heating and Fossil Fuel Primary Water Heating |
$2,500 |
Fossil Fuel Primary Space Heating and Electric Primary Water Heating |
$1,500 |
Electric Primary Space Heating and Fossil Fuel Primary Water Heating |
$1,000 |
Electric fuel primary space heating and electric primary water heating |
None |
Fossil fuel primary space heating and fossil fuel primary water heating Northern top-up* |
$5,500 |
Fossil fuel primary space heating and electric primary water heating Northern top-up* |
$4,500 |
*Eligible homes in the North are eligible for an additional $3,000 rebate for space heating upgrades. 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.
Related rebates
If you apply for this rebate you should also consider the following:
- Homes switching from a fossil fuel (oil, propane, or natural gas) space or water heating system to a heat pump may be eligible for:
- $500 for an Electric Service Upgrade to 100, 200, or 400 amp service.
- Up to $2,000 from select municipalities with Municipal Top-up Rebates.
- A heat pump upgrade counts 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 an Energy Coach 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 a rebate for a furnace and a heat pump, even if you install a dual fuel ducted heat pump. 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 utility account with FortisBC, BC Hydro, or a municipal utility.
- 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
- Natural Gas supplied by Pacific Northern Gas
- Oil or propane not supplied by FortisBC
- Premises primarily heated by wood or other solid fuels are not eligible.
Requirements for your contractor
All new equipment must be installed:
- By a licensed contractor with a GST number and a valid B.C. business license for the trade applicable to the upgrade being installed (e.g. Heat pumps must be installed by a licensed residential heating and cooling contractor).
- In accordance with the Heat Pump Best Practices Guide for Existing Homes.
Requirements for the upgrade
The new heat pump must:
- Replace the existing primary heating system.
- Be sized to function as the primary heating system of the home.
- Have a minimum capacity of 12,000 BTU (1 ton).
- Serve a main living area (e.g. family room, living room, or open-concept kitchen-living room).
- Be on the Air-to-Water and Combination Heat Pump Qualified Product List [125KB PDF].
Requirements for the equipment being replaced
The old heating system must also meet requirements in order to be eligible for this rebate.
- The fossil fuel heating system must be removed.
- If the home’s primary heating system is a fossil fuel combination boiler providing domestic hot water and hydronic space heating, contact betterhomesbc@gov.bc.ca to receive instructions and pre approval on the removal of the hydronic space heating equipment.
- Emergency replacement of broken fossil fuel heating systems is eligible.
- Homes in non-integrated areas of electricity grid must contact betterhomesbc@gov.bc.ca for pre-approval prior to installation.
Please Note: If you are submitting an application that includes both a heat pump and a natural gas fireplace or natural gas hot water heater, use the BC Hydro online application.
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 [221KB PDF] and Additional Terms and Conditions [91KB PDF] to confirm your eligibility.
- Purchase an eligible heat pump and have it installed by a licensed contractor.
- If you are switching from oil, propane, or natural gas to a heat pump, include proof of your fossil fuel system removal.
- Once your upgrades are installed, complete the online application and upload all supporting documentation including copies of all receipts and invoices. See sample invoices.
| I am… | Apply Here |
|---|---|
|
A BC Hydro Electric customer that is converting to a heat pump from natural gas, propane or oil. |
BC Hydro online application |
|
A FortisBC Electric customer that is converting to a heat pump from natural gas, propane or oil. |
BC Hydro online application |
Who to Contact
Questions about the rebate?
Contact an Energy Coach to get clarification or help with understanding this rebate.
Questions about your application?
BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation
Program Updates
No program updates for this upgrade.
FAQs and More
Get help from professionals
Finding the right contractor is key to having a successful home energy retrofit.