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.
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FortisBC Dual Fuel Ducted Heat Pump 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.
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 | Primary fuel before upgrade | Rebate |
|---|---|
HSPF ≥ 10.00 and SEER ≥ 16.00 |
|
Fossil fuel (natural gas or propane) |
$10,000 |
Natural gas or propane*** |
$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 [79KB PDF].
- 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 [2.3MB PDF] and the High-efficiency Furnace Installation Guide for Existing Houses [2.2MB PDF].
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°C or lower
- Southern Interior and Northern BC: 2°C or lower
- 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 [2.3MB PDF] and the High-efficiency Furnace Installation Guide for Existing Houses [2.2MB PDF].
- 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.
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 [91KB PDF] 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.
| I am… | Apply Here |
|---|---|
|
A FortisBC customer that is converting to a dual fuel heating system from a natural gas or propane furnace |
FortisBC online application |
Who to Contact
Questions about the rebate?
Contact FortisBC to get clarification or help with understanding this rebate.
Questions about your application?
Application questions:
Contact Fortis BC
1-877-740-0055
Rebate information:
www.fortisbc.com/dualfuel
FAQs and More
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