Natural gas water heater rebate

Sebastian and Mickey from HGTV Canada's Worst to First with one of the models eligible for a natural gas water heater rebate.

Upgrade to a qualifying natural gas ENERGY STAR® water heater and you could get rebates from $200 to $1,000.

Eligibility

  1. You must be a residential FortisBC natural gas customer.
  2. You must be replacing an existing water heater.
  3. Invoices must be dated after January 1, 2019.
  4. Applications must be submitted within six months of the invoice date.

Review all the terms and conditions.


Make sure the product you’re planning to purchase is eligible for a FortisBC rebate. Click the plus (+) sign to the right of the product type to search by manufacturer and model number.

Note: some results may include an asterisk “*” in place of characters. As long as the characters before and after the asterisk match your model number, your model is eligible.

 
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Please enter a manufacturer or model number.

Manufacturer Model

Rebate details

If it’s time to replace your old water heater, you have choices beyond a standard storage tank, including high-efficiency tankless and condensing models. Compare each type below and choose a qualifying natural gas ENERGY STAR water heater for a rebate of up to $1,000. 

Upgrade Rebate Features1

Storage tank

Eligible models

 $200

Efficiency: good – energy factor (EF) of 0.67 to 0.70

Average installed cost: $1,500 to $1,800

Life expectancy: 10 to 13 years

Pros:

  • can handle multiple, simultaneous demands for hot water
  • quick recovery means there’s less chance of running out of hot water (some units can heat up to five gallons per minute)

Cons:

  • some heat will be lost through the flue gases exhausted to the outdoors
  • electrical outlet required, so it won’t work during a power outage

Condensing tankless

Eligible models

 $1,000

Efficiency: ultimate – EF of 0.90 to 0.99

Average installed cost: $4,000 to $4,900

Life expectancy: about 20 years

Pros:

  • heats water as you need it
  • takes up less space than a storage tank
  • can be wall mounted
  • condensing technology means heat from flue gases is recovered instead of lost, helping to save energy and costs

Cons:

  • you may have to wait a few seconds for hot water when you turn on the tap
  • most won’t work during a power outage
  • requires a drain for water condensation leaving the system

Condensing storage tank

Eligible models

 $1,000

Efficiency: ultimate – thermal efficiency (TE) of up to 98 per cent

Average installed cost: $3,500 to $4,300

Life expectancy: 12 to 15 years

Pros:

  • offers the benefits of a standard storage tank with much higher efficiency
  • good for large households and can handle multiple, simultaneous demands for hot water
  • quick recovery means there’s less chance of running out of hot water (some units can heat up to five gallons per minute)

Cons:

  • requires a drain for water condensation leaving the system

How can I tell if my water heater needs replacing?

There’s no repairing a leaky water heater. If you notice any of these signs it may be time to get a new one. You can purchase your water heater from a retailer, but to be eligible for this rebate it must be installed by a gas contractor licensed by Technical Safety BC.

  • leaking or pooling water on the top around the water connections and/or under or near the heater
  • rust stains on laundry or in showers or sinks may be evidence of rust buildup in the water heater
  • rusty water comes out of the taps
  • slow hot water recovery time – it takes longer to heat up water or the water doesn’t get as hot even though heat settings haven’t changed
  • bubbling or boiling noises in your tank as water heats up

How to apply

  1. Purchase a qualifying water heater and have it installed by a gas contractor licensed with Technical Safety BC. You can find a gas contractor through our online directory.
  2. Apply online or complete the water heater rebate application form and include a copy of the paid invoice showing details of all work performed, including the purchase date, make and model number, the installation permit number and the gas contractor’s Technical Safety BC licence number. See a sample invoice for water heaters for specific requirements.
  3. Email or mail your completed application and copies of supporting documents within six months of the invoice date to:

    rebates@fortisbc.com

    or

    ENERGY STAR Water Heater Program
    FortisBC
    PO Box 9090
    Surrey, BC V3T 5W4

    Note: if mailing, registered mail is recommended.

    Watch our short video to learn more about how to apply for your natural gas water heater rebate.

    Applications may take up to 90 days to process.

Start your rebate application

Third-party offers and services

CleanBC

For advice on options and incentives for energy-efficiency upgrades for homes, contact the CleanBC Energy Coach. Energy Coaches are trained energy-efficiency specialists who provide building-science based information about the options and opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of your home or building. Note: FortisBC is not responsible for any advice provided by the energy coach.

We’re here to help

If you have questions about our rebates, call 1-800-663-8400 or email rebates@fortisbc.com.

1Every home is different. Installation costs are averages and can vary depending on the installation requirements in each home.

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