CleanBC
CleanBC is the provincial government’s umbrella program for reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in B.C. homes. It doesn’t hand out rebates directly. Instead, it coordinates and funds the programs delivered through Better Homes BC, BC Hydro, and FortisBC, so homeowners have a single system to work within rather than three separate ones. If you’re not sure where to start, CleanBC’s site is the best place to get an overview of what’s currently available and how the programs connect.
Energy Savings Program (Better Homes BC)
The Energy Savings Program is Better Homes BC’s income-based rebate stream, and it offers the largest rebates of the three programs for households that qualify. Ground-oriented homes can receive up to $13,000 toward a qualifying heat pump, with the exact amount depending on household income, household size, and the fuel currently used to heat the home (oil, natural gas, propane, electricity, or wood). Homes with an existing heat pump water heater need may also qualify for a rebate of up to $3,500. Condo and apartment units have their own rebate stream, worth up to $5,000 for a heat pump.
Because this program is income-qualified, homeowners need to pre-register through the Energy Savings Program portal and receive an eligibility code before any work begins, and the installation must be completed by a registered program contractor. Argyle Heating and Cooling can help walk you through the eligibility requirements and pre-registration process.
Check Energy Savings Program eligibility
BC Hydro Heat Pump Rebates
For homeowners who don’t qualify for the income-based Energy Savings Program, BC Hydro offers its own Home Renovation Rebate Program for electrically heated homes. Homeowners switching from an existing electric heating system, such as baseboards or an electric furnace, to a heat pump can receive up to $4,000, with an additional bonus rebate of up to $2,000 available if more than one eligible upgrade is completed at the same time. Condo and apartment owners have a separate BC Hydro rebate stream as well.
As with the other programs, the heat pump must be on BC Hydro’s qualified product list and installed by a registered contractor, and the rebate application must be submitted within six months of the invoice date.
FAQ
It depends on your household income and how your home is currently heated. If your household falls within the income thresholds for the Energy Savings Program, that’s usually the better option regardless of your current heating fuel, since it offers the largest rebate amounts. If your income is above those thresholds and your home is electrically heated, the BC Hydro Home Renovation Rebate Program is your primary path.
You apply for your heat pump rebate through the one program you qualify for rather than claiming the same upgrade twice under different programs. That said, add-on rebates exist within these programs, for example the Energy Savings Program offers additional rebates for things like ventilation and electrical panel upgrades on top of the heat pump rebate, and BC Hydro offers a bonus rebate when more than one eligible upgrade is completed at the same time. We can help you identify which add-ons apply to your project.
This varies by program. The Energy Savings Program requires you to pre-register and receive an eligibility code before any work begins. The standard BC Hydro Home Renovation Rebate is applied for after the installation is complete, using your invoice and supporting documentation. Either way, it’s worth confirming your eligibility and product requirements before you commit to equipment.
Yes. All three programs require installation by a registered program contractor, and the heat pump itself must appear on the applicable qualified product list. Rebates can be denied if either requirement isn’t met, so this is worth confirming before signing a quote.
For both the Energy Savings Program and the BC Hydro Home Renovation Rebate, applications and supporting invoices must be submitted within six months of the invoice date.
Contact Argyle Heating and Cooling and we’ll help you figure out where your household fits. You can also use the Better Homes BC rebate questionnaire or speak with a Better Homes BC energy coach directly for a formal assessment.