Heat pump rebates
Effective January 1, 2023 - Alignment of new testing standard with Federal Government
The Home Renovation Rebate and CleanBC Better Homes Rebate Program efficiency requirements will accept products tested under both testing standards (HSPF/SEER and HSPF2/SEER2), effective January 1, 2023.
The program requirements for HSPF and SEER for both testing standards are provided below:
| Minimum Program Requirements | |
|---|---|
| If product is tested under HSPF/SEER | If product is tested under new HSPF2/SEER2 standard |
| HSPF ≥10.00 | HSPF2 ≥8.5 |
| SEER ≥16.00 | SEER2 ≥15.2 |
All qualifying products for Home Renovation Rebate and CleanBC Better Homes Rebate Program can be found on the heat pump qualified product list.
New and modified heat pump eligibility criteria is in effect for installations on or after October 1, 2022.
- Modified: Ductless multi-split and central ducted heat pumps now require a HSPF ≥10.00, or HSPF2 ≥ 8.5.
- New: Must have a minimum capacity of 12,000 BTU (1 ton).
- New: Eligible property types over 1,200 sq. ft are only eligible for ductless multi-split heat pumps or central ducted pumps.
If you installed a heat pump on or before September 30, 2022, you have six months from invoice date to apply for rebates.
Get up to $7,000 for installing a heat pump
You could be eligible for up to $7,000 in combined rebates for replacing your current electric heating system with a heat pump. This includes up to $2,000 from BC Hydro and up to $5,000 from the federal government's Canada Greener Homes Grant.
Unlike other heating and cooling systems, which convert fuel or electricity directly into heat, a heat pump moves heat from one place to another. This makes heat pumps more efficient than an electric furnace or baseboard heaters.
Learn more about heat pumps and which one is right for you
Heat pump rebate options
| Upgrade | Rebate available |
|---|---|
Ductless mini-split heat pump (HSPF ≥10.00, Region IV, SEER ≥16), or, (HSPF2 ≥ 8.5, Region IV, SEER2 ≥ 15.2) Serves one zone |
$1,000 |
Ductless multi-split heat pump (HSPF ≥10.00, Region IV, SEER ≥16), or, (HSPF2 ≥ 8.5, Region IV, SEER2 ≥ 15.2) Serves multiple zones |
$1,000 |
Central ducted heat pump (HSPF ≥10.00, Region IV, SEER ≥16), or, (HSPF2 ≥ 8.5, Region IV, SEER2 ≥ 15.2) Serves multiple zones |
$2,000 |
Ways to increase your rebate amount
Federal rebates of up to $5,000 for the installation of a heat pump may also be available through the Canada Greener Homes Grant, which is a separate program with its own eligibility criteria and application process. If you’re eligible for both, you can apply for rebates from both programs. The federal program requires registration and a home evaluation before making any upgrades.
Note: The Canada Greener Homes Grant program is currently experiencing delays in processing registrations for home evaluations, which may delay your heat pump installation if you choose to apply for that grant.
If you complete multiple upgrades in your home, you may qualify for a bonus rebate up to $2,000. Learn more about how bonus rebates work.
Currently heated by natural gas, oil or propane?
You could be eligible for up to $11,000 in combined heat pump rebates for switching to an electric heat pump.
Make sure your upgrade is eligible
Once you've checked that your home is eligible for this program, review the following eligibility criteria for this specific rebate.
Product eligibility
- The heat pump must be listed on the rebate-eligible heat pump list
- The heat pump must replace a primary electric heating system. This can be an existing hard-wired electric heating system such as electric baseboards, radiant ceiling, radiant floors or forced-air furnace.
- The heat pump must be sufficiently sized to function as the primary heating system for the home.
- A primary heating system must have the capacity to heat a minimum of 50% of the home for the entire heating season to 21ºC.
Select a type of heat pump below to view additional eligibility criteria:
- The indoor unit of the heat pump serves one zone.
- The indoor unit of the heat pump (head) must serve a main living area (Family room, living room or open-concept kitchen-living room) of the premises.
- Eligible homes must be 1,200 sq.ft or less
- Minimum capacity of 12,000 BTU (1 Ton).
- The system must meet all the following requirements:
- Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 16 or higher, or (SEER2) of 15.2 or higher
- Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF Region IV) of 10.00 or higher, or (HSPF2 Region IV) of 8.5 or higher
- Variable speed compressor (single speed and two stage compressors are not eligible); and
- An AHRI certified reference number that references all components of the heat pump, including outdoor unit and indoor unit.
- The indoor unit of the heat pump serves multiple zones.
- At least one indoor unit (head) must serve a main living area (Family room, living room, or open-concept kitchen-living room) of the premises.
- Must install a minimum of two indoor heads
- Minimum capacity of 12,000 BTU (1 Ton).
- The system must meet all the following requirements:
- Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 16 or higher, or (SEER2) of 15.2 or higher
- Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF Region IV) of 10.00 or higher, or (HSPF2 Region IV) of 8.5 or higher
- Variable speed compressor (single speed and two stage compressors are not eligible); and
- An AHRI certified reference number that references the outdoor unit.
- The indoor unit of the heat pump serves multiple zones.
- At least one indoor unit (head) must serve a main living area (Family room, living room, or open-concept kitchen-living room) of the premises.
- Minimum capacity of 12,000 BTU (1 Ton).
- The system must meet all the following requirements:
- Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 16 or higher, or (SEER2) of 15.2 or higher
- Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF Region IV) of 10.00 or higher, or (HSPF2 Region IV) of 8.5 or higher
- Variable speed compressor (single speed and two stage compressors are not eligible),
- An AHRI certified reference number that references all components of the heat pump, including outdoor unit, indoor unit(s), and air handler or furnace; and
- Have a maximum static pressure of 0.6” WC or more; heat pumps with a maximum static pressure of less than 0.6” WC are considered ductless mini-split or multi-split heat pumps and may qualify for the ductless mini-split or multi-split heat pump rebate instead.
Installation requirements
- Heat pump installation must be completed by a Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN) member to be eligible for rebates.
- Emergency replacement of broken electrical systems is not eligible.
- Replacement of an existing heat pump or adding a head to an existing heat pump are not eligible for a rebate.
- The heat pump installed – both the indoor and outdoor units – must be new, in good working order, not previously installed in another home or building.
- The heat pump must be installed in accordance with the Heat Pump Best Practices Installation Guide for Existing Homes [PDF, 2.3 MB] to be eligible for a rebate.
- All upgrades 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. Self installations are not eligible.
- If you're an E-Plus rate customer, you can replace existing space and water heating equipment and your E-Plus service won't be interrupted.
Application deadline and required documents
You must submit your rebate application and all supporting documentation within six months of the invoice date.
The only supporting document required for our heat pump rebate is the invoice. Make sure the invoice meets all the requirements, outlined in our heat pump sample invoice [PDF, 112 KB].
This rebate offer is part of the home renovation rebate program, which is a partnership between the Government of B.C., BC Hydro and FortisBC to support British Columbians in making energy-efficient upgrades to their homes.