Quick quiz: British Columbia rebates
A few questions from the programs we track. Tap an answer to see why.
Check this first: is your home heated by electricity?
This rebate is for homes that replace electric heat, such as baseboards or an electric furnace. If your home heats with gas, oil or propane, BC Hydro's heat pump rebate does not apply to you unless your household is income-qualified for CleanBC's separate program. If that is your home, start with our British Columbia rebate page instead.
Electric home? Keep reading. The next step is where most people lose money.
What the heat load calculation does
A heat load calculation works out how much heat your house loses on a cold day, room by room. BC Hydro asks for a CSA F280-12 calculation. The goal is simple: pick a heat pump that is the right size, not a guess.
It matters for the rebate because of the rules BC Hydro sets:
- Up to $4,000 if the heat pump meets 100% of your home's heating at -5 C. That means it can keep your home at 22 C when it is -5 C or colder outside.
- $1,500 if it meets at least 50% of your heating.
So the same install can earn $4,000 or $1,500 depending on what the calculation says. A calculation done without visiting the house is an estimate. Equipment sized without one is often bigger than the house needs, which costs more up front and runs less efficiently.
Where an energy advisor fits
An energy advisor is a third-party expert registered with Natural Resources Canada. They do not sell equipment. Better Homes BC lists advisors who are registered with NRCan and have also finished BC rebate program training. Its page explains that an EnerGuide evaluation tests how airtight your home is and models how much energy it uses. That helps you decide which upgrades to do first. It also says some add-on rebates in the Home Renovation Rebate program need an EnerGuide evaluation.
On the day, an advisor usually starts outside, then works through the attic, basement or crawl space and mechanical equipment. A blower door test measures how leaky the house is. The data goes into energy software that gives you a rating and a report. Some programs want a second evaluation after the work, so keep your invoices and receipts.
Advisor or installer: who does the calculation?
BC Hydro's rule is about the result, not about who writes it. Your heat pump must be installed by a member of the Home Performance Contractor Network, called the HPCN. The network is run by the Home Performance Stakeholder Council, an independent non-profit. Members need at least three years in business in BC, training, WorkSafeBC coverage and insurance. Joining costs them no fee, and the network is required for BC Hydro's heat pump and insulation rebates.
Your installer may offer to do the calculation. If you want a second opinion, or you are also thinking about insulation and air sealing, an advisor's evaluation gives you a number that is not tied to a sale. Either way, ask to see the calculation on paper before you sign.
Seven steps, in order
- Confirm your home is heated by electricity and the heat pump will replace it.
- Book an energy advisor if you want an evaluation first. Ask for the price up front.
- Ask each installer to show a heat load calculation, not a square-foot guess.
- Make sure the installer is an HPCN member.
- Check the model is on BC Hydro's eligible list: variable-speed compressor, an AHRI reference number, HSPF2 of at least 8.5 and SEER2 of at least 15.2.
- Homes over 1,200 square feet need a multi-split or central system to reach the full amount.
- Apply within six months of your invoice.
What it costs to get an advisor
NRCan says the two evaluations, before and after, cost between $600 and $1,000 together on average. The price depends on the provider and the province, and it is usually paid after the service. Ask any company for its own price. Service organizations do not sell door to door or by unsolicited calls or emails, so be careful with anyone who does.
Find an advisor
Start with Better Homes BC's list of energy advisors. The advisors there are independent businesses, and the page tells you to interview them and choose the one that fits. BC energy coaches can answer program questions at 1-844-881-9790. You can also browse every licensed organization in our energy advisor directory, with Google ratings where we could match one.
Common questions
Do I need an energy advisor to get the BC Hydro heat pump rebate?
BC Hydro asks for a heat load calculation and an HPCN installer. An advisor is not named as the only way to get the calculation. Some add-on rebates do need an EnerGuide evaluation, so check the page for the add-on you want.
Can a gas home get this rebate?
No. The rebate is for replacing electric heat. Income-qualified households with gas, oil or propane heat may qualify for a different CleanBC program.
What if my heat pump only covers half my heating?
BC Hydro pays $1,500 when the heat pump meets at least 50% of your heating, instead of up to $4,000 for 100%.
How long do I have to apply?
Apply within six months of your invoice.
What does an energy advisor visit cost?
NRCan says both evaluations average $600 to $1,000, depending on the provider and province. Ask for the price before you book.
More on the federal heat pump rebate
Sources, read October 20, 2026: BC Hydro: renovating your heating system, Better Homes BC: find an energy advisor, BC Hydro: finding qualified contractors and advisors, NRCan: find service organizations for existing homes, NRCan: prepare for your EnerGuide home evaluation.
