Heat pumps are quickly becoming the go to heating and cooling option for homeowners across British Columbia. Energy prices keep changing, summers are getting hotter, and many people want to get away from fossil fuels. The good news is that programs like CleanBC Better Homes and utility rebates can cover a big part of the upfront cost if you qualify.
In this guide, we walk through which heat pump upgrades usually unlock the biggest rebates in BC, why some homes receive more support than others, and how to choose the option that actually fits your house and budget.
If you would rather get a clear answer instead of reading the whole article, you can call Monolith Housing Solution at (604) 332-1918 right now and request a free consultation. Our certified energy advisors and engineers will review your situation and help you understand which heat pump rebates you may qualify for in British Columbia.
How Heat Pump Rebates In BC Work
Before talking about the biggest dollar amounts, it helps to understand the pieces that affect your rebate:
- Your current heating system. Oil, natural gas, propane, electric baseboard, or an existing electric furnace or heat pump.
- The new heat pump system type. Central ducted, multi split with several indoor heads, or a single mini split.
- Your household income level and property value. Income qualified programs offer higher support if your combined household income is under certain limits. In some cases there is also a maximum home value.
Each of these factors changes how much you can receive. Two neighbours might both install heat pumps and still qualify for very different rebate amounts because their income, existing systems, or home setup are not the same.
If you are specifically interested in heat pump water heaters, we also have a dedicated page called “Heat Pump Water Heater Rebates in British Columbia (2025 Guide)”, where you can see the latest active rebates, grants, and financing options available across the province.
The Three Big Factors That Change Your Rebate
1. What You Are Switching From
The largest rebates are usually offered when you switch away from fossil fuels to an efficient electric heat pump. For example:
- Oil to electric heat pump is often at the very top in terms of available rebate money.
- Natural gas or propane to electric heat pump is a very close second.
Homes that already use electric baseboards or another electric system can still qualify for strong rebates, but the amounts are usually lower than full fuel switching from oil or gas.
2. The Type Of Heat Pump You Install
Rebates are also higher for systems that can heat and cool most or all of the house, not just a single room.
Typical system types include:
- Central ducted heat pump that connects to existing or new ductwork.
- Multi split heat pump with 2 or 3 indoor heads serving several zones.
- Single head mini split that mainly serves one large space.
In the current BC rebate structure, central ducted systems and larger multi split setups usually qualify for the highest amounts. Single head units still receive support, but the numbers are smaller.
3. Income Level And Home Value
Income qualified programs in BC use income levels based on how many people live in your home and your combined pre tax household income.
- Income Level 1 is the lowest income range and usually unlocks the highest rebate amounts.
- Income Levels 2 and 3 offer reduced but still significant support.
For some programs there is also a maximum property value. If your home is assessed above that threshold, you may still join the program but only under a higher income level, which usually means a lower rebate. The exact thresholds change over time, so it is always worth checking the latest charts before applying.
The Biggest Rebates Available Right Now
So which heat pump gets you the biggest rebate in BC. In most cases, the answer is not a specific brand or model. It is a combination of what you are switching from, what you install, and your income level.
Below is a general picture based on the current structure of CleanBC Better Homes energy savings rebates. These amounts are examples based on current program tables and are subject to change. Always confirm the latest details with CleanBC Better Homes and your utility provider before making final decisions.
Here is a simplified snapshot of how the highest rebate tiers usually line up under income-qualified programs:
- Oil → Electric heat pump (whole-home style systems): up to about $16,000 in rebates.
- Natural gas/propane → Electric heat pump (whole-home style systems): up to about $16,000 in rebates.
- Electric/baseboard → Heat pump (whole-home systems): typically around $4,000–$5,000 in support.
- Eligible electric service upgrades: up to about $5,000 in extra support for the lowest income level.
1. Oil To Electric Heat Pump, Often The Top Rebate Champion
If your home is still heated by an oil furnace or boiler and you qualify under Income Level 1, you are often in the best position for high rebate amounts.
Typical patterns look like this for income-qualified households under the current tables:
- Central ducted or 3 head multi split systems can receive up to around $16,000 in combined rebates when switching from oil to an electric heat pump.
- Two head multi split or two single head units usually qualify for up to about $14,000 in support.
- Single head mini split systems can still receive a rebate, but the amount is lower, starting around $1,000 for oil-to-heat-pump conversions.
- A service upgrade for your electrical panel may also receive its own separate rebate, often up to about $5,000 for the lowest income level, if your panel needs more capacity to handle the new heat pump.
Because oil is one of the most polluting and expensive fuels, programs are designed to strongly encourage people to switch away from it. For many older homes in BC that still burn oil, this can be a once in a generation opportunity to modernize the entire heating system with major financial help.
2. Natural Gas Or Propane To Electric Heat Pump, A Very Close Second
Many BC homes rely on a natural gas furnace or propane furnace. When these homes switch to a qualified electric heat pump, the rebates can be nearly as large as the oil conversion amounts, especially for income qualified households.
Patterns are similar:
- Central ducted and 3 head multi split systems can also reach up to around $16,000 in rebates for income-qualified households switching from natural gas or propane to an electric heat pump.
- Two head multi split systems are usually in the $14,000 range.
- Service upgrades for electrical panels can also receive support, often up to about $5,000 at the lowest income level, which helps cover the cost of moving from a simple furnace to a more demanding modern heat pump.
This means that if you live in a gas heated house and your furnace is getting older, it can be smarter to think about a full conversion to a heat pump instead of simply replacing the furnace with another gas unit.
3. Electric Or Baseboard To Heat Pump, Still A Strong Option
If your home already uses electric baseboards or an electric furnace, you will not receive the very highest rebates available to oil and gas conversions. However, the support is still meaningful and the monthly energy savings can be impressive.
For many electric homes, current rebates look roughly like this for whole-home style systems:
- Central ducted or 3 head multi split heat pumps can qualify for up to around $5,000 in rebates for the lowest income level, or about $4,000 for higher income levels.
- Two head multi split systems are usually in a similar $4,000–$5,000 range, depending on income.
- Single head mini split units may also receive up to about $5,000 in support in some electric-to-heat-pump scenarios, although amounts are more limited for higher income levels.
Because electric heat is already cleaner, the program focus is less on fuel switching and more on improving efficiency and comfort. Many homeowners still go ahead because the combination of rebates plus lower bills makes the project pencil out in the long run.
4. Electric Service Upgrade Rebates, The Hidden Boost
A detail that many homeowners overlook is the electric service upgrade rebate. Heat pumps and modern electrical codes sometimes require a larger panel or new service connection. That can be expensive if you pay for it entirely out of pocket.
Under income qualified programs, you may receive additional money specifically for upgrading your electrical service. For some households this is worth several thousand dollars on its own. For example, current tables show up to about $5,000 for the lowest income level, around $3,500 for the middle income level, and about $1,500 for the highest income level.
When you add the service upgrade rebate on top of the equipment rebate, the total support can easily make the project far more affordable than it first appears.
Choosing The Best Option For Your Home
It is tempting to ask only one question. Which heat pump gives me the biggest rebate. In practice, the better question is a little different.
Which heat pump will actually heat and cool my whole home properly, while still making the best use of the rebates that I qualify for.
For example:
- A homeowner with an oil furnace might be technically eligible for the very highest rebate tier for a central ducted system, but if the house has no ducts and limited space, a multi split solution could be more realistic.
- A gas heated home might not need a huge central system if it is a smaller, well insulated bungalow. A more modest heat pump can still qualify for strong rebates and provide excellent comfort.
The right choice depends on your home layout, insulation, existing electrical service, budget, and how long you plan to stay in the house.
How To Maximize Your Heat Pump Rebate In BC
To make the most of the programs that are available in British Columbia:
- Confirm your income level and current program rules on the official CleanBC Better Homes and utility websites.
- Check your BC Assessment value to see whether your home is under or over any property value limits.
- Gather information about your current heating system. Oil, gas, propane, electric baseboard, or other.
- Talk to a contractor who understands rebate programs so they can design a system that both fits your home and qualifies for the best possible support.
When these pieces are aligned, heat pump rebates in BC can cover a surprisingly large portion of your project cost. The result is a home that is more comfortable year round, cheaper to run, and much better aligned with the future of energy in the province.
