FortisBC Air Source Heat Pump Rebate for Income Qualified Households

FortisBC is offering a $5,000 rebate to income-qualified customers who upgrade their primary electric space heating system, such as baseboards or an electric furnace, to an eligible air source heat pump.

Overview

Rebate amount

$5,000

Who can apply

You must be a residential FortisBC or municipal electricity customer of Grand Forks, Penticton, Summerland or Nelson Hydro with only one active residential electricity account, upgrading the heating system at your primary residence.
You must meet income-qualified requirements and proof of income is required. Visit this page for full income eligibility details. Total household income includes the combined income of all members of the household over the age of 18.

Deadline

You must submit your application within 1 year of the installation date.

Qualifying products

Have an eligible heat pump installed. See the ductless mini-split heat pump rebate, central ducted heat pump rebate, air-to-water heat pump rebate, or combination space and water heat pump rebate pages for eligibility requirements.

Funding provided by

Fortis BC

Rebate amount

Requirements

You must be a residential FortisBC or municipal electricity customer of Grand Forks, Penticton, Summerland or Nelson Hydro with only one active residential electricity account, upgrading the heating system at your primary residence.
You must meet income-qualified requirements and proof of income is required. Visit this page for full income eligibility details. Total household income includes the combined income of all members of the household over the age of 18.

Upgrade	Rebate	Requirements
Ductless mini-split heat pump	$5,000	minimum Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) of 10.00 minimum Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of ≥ 16 with variable speed compressor have an Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) certified reference number noting all components
Ductless multi-split heat pump	$5,000	minimum HSPF of 9.30 minimum SEER of 16 with variable speed compressor have an AHRI certified reference number noting all components Note: products with a maximum static pressure of less than 0.6” Water
Central ducted heat pump (Tier 1)	$5,000	minimum HSPF of 8.50 minimum SEER of 15 have an AHRI certified reference number noting all components
Central ducted heat pump (Tier 2)	$5,000	minimum HSPF of 9.30 minimum SEER of 16 with variable speed compressor have an AHRI certified reference number noting all components

Primary fuel before upgrade

Rebate

The heat pump must be replacing an existing hard-wired electric heating system such as electric baseboards, radiant ceiling, radiant floors or a forced-air furnace. Back-up space heating systems must also be electric. Emergency replacements of broken electrical systems are not eligible. Replacing an existing heat pump or adding a head to an existing one is not eligible.

$5,000

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.

Requirements for the home

You must be a residential FortisBC or municipal electricity customer of Grand Forks, Penticton, Summerland or Nelson Hydro with only one active residential electricity account, upgrading the heating system at your primary residence.
You must meet income-qualified requirements and proof of income is required. Visit this page for full income eligibility details. Total household income includes the combined income of all members of the household over the age of 18.
The heat pump must be replacing an existing hard-wired electric heating system such as electric baseboards, radiant ceiling, radiant floors or a forced-air furnace. Back-up space heating systems must also be electric. Emergency replacements of broken electrical systems are not eligible. Replacing an existing heat pump or adding a head to an existing one is not eligible.
The home must be a year-round primary residence that is at least 10 years old, no larger than 3,500 square feet and be one of the following: single-family; duplex; triplex; row home; townhouse or manufactured/mobile home on a permanent foundation.

Requirements for installation

All new equipment must be installed:

The new heat pump must be sufficiently sized to function as the primary heating system for the home.
- For ductless systems, one indoor unit (head) must serve a main living area of the premises, including a family room, living room or open-concept kitchen/living room.
The heat pump must be installed by a licensed contractor with a GST number and a valid BC business license for the trade applicable to the upgrade being installed (e.g. heat pumps must be installed by a licensed heating and cooling contractor). Note: as of July 1, 2022, all air source heat pump installations must be completed by a Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN) member.* Search for an HPCN member in your area or find one on this list.
Eligible heat pumps must be installed in accordance with the Heat Pump Best Practices Installation Guide for Existing Homes.