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Central Air Source 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 hot summers. A $500 electrical service upgrade rebate is available when converting your fossil fuel primary space or water heating system to an electrical primary space or water heating system.  For more information, see What is a heat pump and what are its benefits?

The CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program is offering a rebate of up to $3,000 for switching to a central system air source heat pump.

Available Rebates

  • $1,200 if you install a Tier 1 central heat pump in your home that is heated with electricity supplied by FortisBC or convert your fossil fuel heating system (oil, propane, or natural gas) to a Tier 1 central heat pump.
  • $2,000 if you install a Tier 2 central heat pump in your home that is heated with electricity supplied by FortisBC, BC Hydro, or a municipal utility provider.
  • $3,000 if you convert your fossil fuel heating system (oil, propane, or natural gas) to a Tier 2 central heat pump.
  • Select municipalities have Municipal Offers of up to an additional $2000 that can be accessed only when converting from fossil fuel heating (natural gas, oil, or propane) to an electric air-source heat pump.

This upgrade can count towards the Two Upgrade Bonus or the Home Energy Improvement Bonus. If you are considering a mini-split or multi-split system, see the separate incentive page on the Mini-Split or Multi-Split Air Source Heat Pump rebate. For more information on choosing the right type of heat pump for your home, see What type of heat pump should I choose?

Eligibility Requirements

  • The invoice date for the installed heat pump must be on or after January 01, 2020.
  • Your upgrades must be installed by a licensed contractor with a valid BC business license for the trade applicable to the installation work.
  • You must have a residential utility account with FortisBC, BC Hydro, or a municipal utility.
  • Your home must be primarily heated with:
    • Natural Gas or piped-propane supplied by FortisBC
    • Natural Gas supplied by Pacific Northern Gas
    • Electricity supplied by FortisBC, BC Hydro, or a municipal utility
    • Oil or propane not supplied FortisBC
  • Premises primarily heated by wood or other solid fuels are not eligible.
  • You must live in an eligible home.
  • The home must have a minimum of 12 months of consecutive utility billing history.

Upgrade Requirements

  • The installed system must have an AHRI certified reference number and must be on the Qualifying Product List.
  • The heat pump must be installed by a licensed contractor with a valid BC business license for the trade applicable to the installation work.
  • The heat pump must become the primary heating system of the home.
  • If you are replacing an electric heating system, your old electric system must be hard-wired (for example, baseboards or an electric furnace) and the back-up system must be electric.  Fossil fuel back-up systems are not eligible for electric-to-electric upgrades.
  • Replacement of an existing heat pump is not eligible for the rebate.
  • If you are replacing an oil heating system, your old oil system must be removed or decommissioned. Some exemptions may apply, see Am I eligible for a heat pump rebate if it is combined with a gas, propane, or oil furnace as backup? for more information.
  • If you are replacing a propane or natural gas heating system, your old propane or natural gas system must be removed or decommissioned or be integrated into a combined furnace/heat pump 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. Please see Am I eligible for a heat pump rebate if it is combined with a gas, propane, or oil furnace as backup? for more information.
  • A heat load calculation is required for all heat pump installations with a natural gas or propane back-up. For more information, see this FAQ.
  • Products with a maximum static pressure of less than 0.6” WC are not eligible.
  • The installed system must meet the following performance requirements:
Heat Pump Type Requirements Primary Fuel Before Upgrade Rebate
Tier 1 Central SEER >15.00
HSPF >8.50		 FortisBC Electricity $1,200
BC Hydro Electricity No Rebate
Fossil Fuel (Oil, Propane, or Natural Gas) $1,200
Tier 2 Central SEER >16.00
HSPF >9.30
Variable Speed Compressor		 FortisBC Electricity $2,000
BC Hydro Electricity $2,000
Fossil Fuel (Oil, Propane, or Natural Gas) $3,000

 

How to Apply

  1. Carefully read the terms and conditions to confirm your eligibility.
  2. Purchase an eligible heat pump and have it installed by a licensed contractor.
  3. Once your upgrades are installed, complete the online application and upload all supporting documentation including copies of all receipts and invoices. See sample invoices. If you are converting from oil, propane, or natural gas to a heat pump, include proof of your oil, propane, or natural gas system removal, decommissioning or modification.

Deadlines

  • The application form for individual upgrades must be submitted within 6 months of the invoice date of the upgrade.
  • The application form for the Two Upgrade Bonus must be submitted within 6 months of the second bonus-eligible upgrade. You must complete your second bonus-eligible upgrade within 18 months of the invoice date of the first bonus-eligible upgrade.
  • The application form for the Home Energy Improvement Bonus and EnerGuide Home Evaluation Rebate must be submitted within 6 months of the date of your post-retrofit EnerGuide home evaluation. You must complete your post-retrofit EnerGuide home evaluation within 18 months of your pre-retrofit EnerGuide home evaluation.

Other

Program Contact Information