What heat pump water heater rebates pay in Richmond
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 Richmond house
Replacing an electric tank earns up to $1,000. If the house also gets 14 new windows, that is 14 x $100 = $1,400. Together $2,400 before any bonus. BC Hydro's window rebate counts each opening, not each pane.
Who in Richmond can use this
The 2021 Census counted 81,080 households in Richmond. About 71% own and 42% live in apartments. Of the households, 7,175 own a detached house built before 1981. Richmond's average January low from 2015 to 2024 was 1.5°C, so a tank installed in a garage or utility room rarely sees extreme cold.
Gas tank or electric tank?
The rebate is only for replacing an electric water heater. If your tank runs on natural gas, BC Hydro and FortisBC do not pay for a switch to a heat pump model. Lower-income households can use the CleanBC Energy Savings Program, which pays up to $3,500 for Level 1 households converting from a fossil fuel. Only one primary water heating rebate is allowed per home across programs.
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.
Documents and deadline
You have six months from the invoice date to apply. The only supporting document is the invoice, and BC Hydro publishes a sample showing what it must list. The installer must be a licensed contractor with a GST number and a valid BC business licence for the trade. Self-installation is not eligible, and the new tank must not have been used in another home.
Garage and utility room installs
Many heat pump water heaters sit in a garage, basement or utility closet because they draw heat from the surrounding air. Ask the installer how much room the model needs, what the drain setup looks like and how loud it is. Put the answers in the quote.
Top-rated installers in Richmond
These are the top-rated heat pump and HVAC companies near Richmond 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 Richmond
- 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
How much can I get in Richmond?
Up to $1,000 from BC Hydro for replacing an electric primary water heater.
Is there a bonus?
BC Hydro lists a bonus of up to $2,000 for more than one eligible upgrade.
What if my tank is gas?
BC Hydro and FortisBC do not pay for a gas switch. CleanBC pays up to $3,500 for income-qualified households.
Do I need a special contractor?
A licensed contractor with a GST number and a BC business licence.
How long do I have to apply?
Six months from the invoice date.
What to do next
See Richmond insulation rebates and heat pump rebates.
By Sam Menard. Sources, last read October 2, 2026: BC Hydro heat pump water heater rebates, BC Hydro program eligibility, FortisBC heat pump water heater rebate, CleanBC Energy Savings Program requirements, Statistics Canada 2021 Census, table 98-10-0233-01. All Richmond rebates → Every BC Hydro rebate →