What heat pump water heater rebates pay in Nanaimo
We re-read BC Hydro's heat pump water heater page on October 2, 2026. BC Hydro and FortisBC pay only when you replace an electric water heater. Replacing a gas tank earns nothing from them, and the CleanBC amounts below are for income-qualified households only.
BC Hydro
For replacing an electric primary water heater with a heat pump model on NEEA's Tier 2 or higher list.
FortisBC
For replacing a standard electric storage tank with a high-efficiency heat pump water heater.
Income-qualified (CleanBC)
Level 1 households replacing a fossil-fuel or electric water heater. Level 2 gets up to $2,800 from electric. Applies to a primary water heater only.
More than one upgrade
BC Hydro adds a bonus when you finish more than one eligible upgrade.
A Nanaimo house
Replacing an electric tank earns up to $1,000 from BC Hydro. Adding attic insulation of R-30 over 1,300 square feet earns 0.02 x 30 x 1,300 = $780. Together $1,780 before any bonus. The City's loan may help finance the insulation part.
Who in Nanaimo can use this
The 2021 Census counted 43,165 households in Nanaimo. About 67% own, 51% live in detached houses and 22% in apartments. Of the households, 7,880 own a detached house built before 1981. Nanaimo's average January low from 2015 to 2024 was 2.2°C.
Gas tank or electric tank?
This is the rule that surprises people. Heat pump water heater rebates from BC Hydro and FortisBC start with an electric tank. A gas tank swap is a different case, and households above the income limits have no rebate for it. Income-qualified households can apply to CleanBC, which pays up to $3,500 at Level 1. Only one primary water heating rebate is allowed per home, so you cannot collect from two programs for the same tank.
Choose from the NEEA list
BC Hydro pays only for models that sit in Tier 2 or higher on NEEA's Advanced Water Heater Specification list for heat pump water heaters. Ask the installer for the exact model number and check it against the list before you sign. Put the model on the invoice. A tank that is not on the list will not be paid, no matter how efficient it looks.
Pair it with another upgrade
BC Hydro's page offers a bonus of up to $2,000 when you complete more than one eligible upgrade, such as insulation or windows with your water heater. The formula is not on the page, so ask when you apply. FortisBC lists a $300 second-upgrade bonus. A water heater is a quick job, so it is an easy second item to add to a larger project.
The City loan and water heaters
The City of Nanaimo's zero-interest loan can reach $15,000 and covers heat pumps, insulation, windows and doors, and solar, according to the City's news release. It does not name water heaters, so ask the City whether a water heater can be part of a larger project before you rely on it.
Top-rated installers in Nanaimo
These are the top-rated heat pump and HVAC companies near Nanaimo by Google reviews, weighted by number of reviews. Ask whether each one installs heat pump water heaters before you book. Nobody pays to be listed.
How to claim in Nanaimo
- Check that the tank you are replacing is electric and is your primary water heater.
- Pick a model from NEEA's Tier 2 or higher list and get it on the quote.
- Have a licensed contractor install it and keep the invoice.
- Apply online within six months of the invoice date.
- If your income is lower, ask about the CleanBC program before paying.
Common questions
Does the City of Nanaimo loan cover a water heater?
The City's release names heat pumps, insulation, windows and doors, and solar. Ask the City about water heaters.
What if my tank is gas?
BC Hydro and FortisBC do not pay for a gas switch.
Is there a bonus?
BC Hydro lists a bonus of up to $2,000 for more than one eligible upgrade.
How long do I have to apply?
Six months from the invoice date.
Which model must I choose?
One listed in Tier 2 or higher on NEEA's heat pump water heater list.
What to do next
See Nanaimo insulation rebates and heat pump rebates.
By Sam Menard. Sources, last read October 2, 2026: BC Hydro heat pump water heater rebates, City of Nanaimo retrofit loans, FortisBC heat pump water heater rebate, Statistics Canada 2021 Census, table 98-10-0233-01. All Nanaimo rebates → Every BC Hydro rebate →