Heat pump rebate

A high-efficiency air source heat pump uses less electricity than electric furnaces or baseboards because it can extract heat from the air to provide space heating in winter and cooling in summer.

Before beginning work, make sure you qualify for this rebate by reviewing the Program Rebate Requirements, as outlined in the terms and conditions and the eligibility and rebate details below.

Important note: to qualify for this rebate your current space heating system must be electric. If switching from another energy source you may be eligible for rebates through our partners at CleanBC.

General eligibility

1. The home must have:
   • a residential FortisBC natural gas account (except for strata unit owners installing EnerChoice® fireplaces) and/or
   • a residential FortisBC or municipal electricity account of Grand Forks, Penticton, Summerland or Nelson Hydro
2. If the registered owner of the property where upgrades were made is not the utility account holder (e.g. landlord/tenant) the owner must have the account holder complete the Utility Account Holder Consent form.
3. The home must be a year-round primary residence at least 12 months old and be either a single-family, duplex, triplex, row home, townhouse or mobile home on a permanent foundation. New construction, reconstructions, additions and garage upgrades are not eligible. Apartments and condos are eligible for fireplace rebates only.
4. Applications must be submitted within six months of the paid invoice date.
5. Rebates cannot exceed the paid cost on the invoice.
6. Only one rebate per home for a primary space heating system and a water heater is allowed.¹

View full general eligibility requirements.

Heat pump specific requirements

7. 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 (e.g. Heat pumps must be installed by a licensed residential heating and cooling contractor).
8. 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. The back-up space heating system must also be electric. Emergency replacements of broken electrical systems are not eligible.
9. Replacing an existing heat pump, or adding a head to an existing heat pump is not eligible.
10. The new heat pump must be sufficiently sized to function as the primary¹ 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.
11. Eligible heat pumps must be installed in accordance with the Heat Pump Best Practices Installation Guide for Existing Homes.

Review the terms and conditions

• for invoices dated on or after April 1, 2021
• for invoices dated before April 1, 2021

Rebate details

A professional heating and air conditioning contractor can help you identify the rebate-eligible model that is right for your home. In general, mini-split or multi-split systems (also called “ductless” heat pumps) are good for homes with an existing electric heating system that does not use ducts, such as baseboards. Central heat pumps are for homes with a heating system with ducts, such as a furnace.

Note: BC Hydro customers with electrically heated homes may be eligible for similar rebates.

How to apply

1. Decide what eligible upgrades are best suited for your home and budget with help from your contractor.
2. Apply online within six months of your invoice date with the following information:
   • your FortisBC electricity account number or municipal electricity account number from Grand Forks, Penticton, Summerland or Nelson Hydro
   • your email
   • scanned copies of all paid invoices showing details of all work performed, including the purchase date, make, model and installation permit numbers (if applicable)
     
     Invoices for heat pump rebates must also include the following information; see a sample invoice for heat pumps:
     • AHRI reference number or copy of AHRI certificate
     • number of tons
     • indication that a variable speed compressor has been installed (required for mini-split, multi-split and central, tier 2)
3. If you’re not the utility account holder (e.g. property is a rental), have the account holder complete the consent form.
4. Applications may take up to 90 days to process.

Note: the rebate application link below takes you to Account login. Once you’ve registered and/or logged in you can start your rebate application. Hint: we recommend using Google Chrome® for the best experience.

Start your rebate application

For more tips on using the online rebate application, read our how-to guide.

Third-party offers and services

IOE Consulting

As we work to continuously improve our programs, we will be asking a small percentage of applicants to provide access to their home to verify the installation and operation of their new heat pump. This work is being carried out by IOE Consulting.

The site visit may be conducted either in-person or virtually using an app such as FaceTime or Google Hangouts. IOE staff will always call or email in advance to book a site visit appointment with you. Their staff also carry photo ID badges identifying them as FortisBC contractors.

We’re here to help

If you have questions about rebates, contact us online or call us at 1-855-909-2331.

This program is funded in part, by the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada.

¹ A primary space heating system is a furnace, boiler, combination system or an air source heat pump. Natural gas fireplaces are considered secondary space heating systems. Primary space heating and water heater rebates are offered in conjunction with BC Hydro and CleanBC Better Homes rebates.