Heat pump rebates on Vancouver Island in 2026: what's available and how to apply
As of October 2026, there are three main heat pump rebates for Vancouver Island homes: up to $4,000 from BC Hydro if you heat with electricity, up to $4,000 from FortisBC if you heat with natural gas, and up to $13,000 from CleanBC if your household qualifies by income. You can only use one of them, and the right one depends on how you heat your home today.
A new federal rebate is on the way too. Here's how each one works for Island homes, checked against the official program pages on October 27, 2026.
Which heat pump rebate fits my home?
Start with how your home is heated now.
Your home is heated by | Rebate | Up to |
|---|---|---|
Electric baseboards or an electric furnace | BC Hydro | $4,000 |
Natural gas furnace | FortisBC dual fuel | $4,000 ($8,000 if income-qualified) |
Oil, propane or gas, switching fully to a heat pump | CleanBC Energy Savings Program (income-qualified) | $13,000 |
Electric-heated homes that qualify by income can get up to $5,000 from CleanBC instead. Oil and propane homes that don't qualify by income had no provincial rebate as of October 2026, but the federal rebate below may help for installs from November 1, 2026.
How does the BC Hydro heat pump rebate work?
BC Hydro pays up to $4,000 when a heat pump replaces electric heat for the whole home, or $1,500 for part of the home.
The heat pump has to replace your main electric heat, and any backup heat has to be electric too.
Replacing an existing heat pump, or adding a head to one, doesn't qualify.
Homes over 1,200 square feet need a multi-split or central system, and a whole-home install needs a heat load calculation.
A member of BC Hydro's Home Performance Contractor Network has to do the install. VIS Mechanical is a member.
There's no pre-approval. You install first, then apply within six months of the invoice date.
Fall 2026 bonus. BC Hydro offered up to $1,000 extra for air-source heat pumps completed, invoiced and paid between August 1 and October 31, 2026, while funds lasted. Applications for that bonus were due November 30, 2026.
Victoria top-up. BC Hydro also lists an extra $4,000 (or $1,500 for part of the home) in select Victoria neighbourhoods, applied automatically by postal code, for up to $9,000 in total. BC Hydro doesn't name the neighbourhoods on that page, so ask BC Hydro or ask us when you get your quote.
Is there a heat pump rebate for gas-heated homes?
Yes. FortisBC relaunched its dual fuel rebate on October 15, 2026. It pays up to $4,000 with no income test, or up to $8,000 for income-qualified households.
A dual fuel system pairs a ducted heat pump with a new high-efficiency gas furnace. The heat pump heats your home most of the year, and the furnace takes over on the coldest days. On Vancouver Island, the switch-over point has to be set at 5°C or lower.
To qualify:
You're a FortisBC residential gas customer.
Your gas furnace is your main heat and is at least 15 years old.
The new furnace is 95% efficient or better, paired with a ducted air-source heat pump.
The installer is a licensed gas contractor and a Home Performance Contractor Network member. VIS Mechanical is both.
The install was completed on or after October 15, 2026. You apply within six months of the paid invoice.
This rebate can't be combined with other FortisBC, provincial or federal rebates.
What is the CleanBC Energy Savings Program?
It's the province's income-qualified program, and it pays the most. Homes switching from oil, gas or propane to a central ducted or three-head heat pump can get up to $13,000 at the lowest income level. Electric-heated homes can get up to $5,000.
Income. The top amounts are for Income Level 1: up to $51,100 for one person or $94,900 for a family of four. Homes switching from fossil fuel can also qualify at higher levels, up to $102,100 for one person or $189,800 for four, for smaller amounts.
Home value. The assessed value must be $1.2 million or less for Levels 1 and 2, or $1.82 million or less for Level 3. Worth checking in Greater Victoria.
Home type. Your primary residence, a ground-oriented home such as a house or townhouse, at least 12 months old. Condos have a separate stream.
Oil homes need to show at least 500 litres of oil used in the past 12 months.
Extras. Up to $5,000 more toward an electrical service upgrade if the heat pump needs one, and up to $1,600 for ventilation. Our VIS Electrical team handles service upgrades.
Order matters. You must pre-register and get an eligibility code before any work starts. The code is good for three months. Then a CleanBC registered contractor does the install and submits the claim. VIS Mechanical is a registered contractor.
This program can't be combined with the BC Hydro rebate.
What happened to the federal heat pump grants?
The federal Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program closed on July 31, 2026, and the Canada Greener Homes Loan closed too.
In their place, the federal government announced a National Heat Pump Rebate on October 8, 2026. It pays $2,000, or up to $10,000 for low- to median-income households, for electric cold-climate air-source heat pumps on an approved product list. It covers installs from November 1, 2026, with applications opening in early 2027.
Can I finance a heat pump in Saanich?
The District of Saanich offers up to $12,000 at 0% interest, repaid over 10 years on your property taxes, for homes heated by oil, gas or propane that switch fully to a heat pump. You sign the agreement before work starts. The fall 2026 intake closed on October 13, 2026, so check Saanich's page for the next one. VIS Mechanical is on Saanich's eligible contractor list.
How do I apply for a heat pump rebate?
Check how your home is heated now, and whether your household might qualify by income.
For CleanBC, pre-register before any work. For Saanich financing, sign the agreement before work starts.
Get a quote from a contractor registered for your program.
After the install, apply to BC Hydro or FortisBC within six months of the invoice. For CleanBC, your contractor submits the claim.
Not sure which rebate fits?
Call us at 250-475-1950 or ask for a free estimate. We'll get back to you within one business day and tell you which program fits your home before any work starts.
FAQ
Can I combine the BC Hydro and CleanBC rebates?
No. You get one main heating rebate per home, whether it's from BC Hydro, FortisBC or CleanBC. Saanich's financing is separate and can cover the rest of a CleanBC job.
Do I need approval before the install?
For CleanBC, yes: pre-register first. For BC Hydro and FortisBC, no: you apply after the install, within six months of the invoice.
Can I install a heat pump myself and still get a rebate?
No. BC Hydro and FortisBC need a Home Performance Contractor Network member, and CleanBC needs a registered contractor.
I heat with oil and don't qualify by income. Is there anything for me?
There was no provincial rebate for this as of October 2026. The federal National Heat Pump Rebate covers installs from November 1, 2026, and pays $2,000 for most eligible households. In Saanich, watch for the next financing intake.
Do these amounts change?
Yes, often. This article was checked against the official program pages on October 27, 2026. Confirm current amounts with the program or with us before you book.
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