What BC Hydro pays for insulation in Surrey
Figures below were re-read from BC Hydro's insulation page on October 2, 2026. They apply to homes heated mainly by electricity. If you heat with gas, FortisBC lists the same formula.
Attic
Capped at $900. The new insulation must add at least R12.
Exterior walls and basement
Capped at $1,200 for each of cavity, sheathing and basement or crawlspace walls.
Other areas
Capped at $1,000. At least R20 added.
Bonus
When you complete more than one eligible upgrade.
Free upgrades
For income-qualified households through the Energy Conservation Assistance Program.
The top-up test
A 1,500 square foot attic that already has R-28 and is topped to R-50 adds R-22. The rebate is 0.02 x 22 x 1,500 = $660. A smaller top-up of only R-10 would not meet the R12 minimum for attics and would earn nothing. This is our reading of the posted rules, so ask your contractor to confirm against the program page.
Surrey's homes are younger, and there are a lot of them
Statistics Canada counted 185,670 households in Surrey in 2021, the second most in the province. Only 36,480 of them (20%) live in homes built before 1981, the lowest share in our BC list. Another 17% were built between 1981 and 1990, so 37% of homes predate 1991. Owner-occupied single-detached houses from before 1981 number 12,485.
Because 70% of households own and 33% live in single-detached houses, there are plenty of attics to reach. The difficulty is that homes from the 1980s and 1990s already carry decent insulation. The minimum rule matters more here than in older cities.
Mild, wet winters
The average January low from 2015 to 2024 was 0.7°C and the coldest day was -16.7°C. Surrey heats less than the Interior, so insulation pays back more slowly. The strongest case is a house with a thin attic or no wall insulation, or a 1970s and 1980s house with original materials.
Walls are the harder job
Wall cavity insulation is the biggest rebate line at $1,200, but it needs a contractor to drill or open the walls. A 1990s house may already have filled walls, and an older house may have empty ones. Ask for an infrared scan or a sample hole so you know what is inside before you pay for a quote.
Rules that matter in Surrey
- Use a Home Performance Contractor Network member.
- Fix pest and moisture problems before new insulation goes in.
- Renovations that need a building permit as an addition or alteration do not qualify.
- Apply within six months of the invoice date.
Top-rated installers in Surrey
These Surrey insulation companies have the best Google review records in our data. We weight rating by the number of reviews, and nothing is paid for placement.
How to claim in Surrey
- Have the contractor check what insulation you already have and its R-value.
- Get a quote that lists the R-value added and the area for each space.
- Keep the invoice after the work. It must list the insulation type, R-value and area.
- Apply online within six months.
- If you are planning more than one upgrade, apply together so the bonus can be checked.
Common questions
Is my 1990s Surrey house too new for an insulation rebate?
Not necessarily. You can still qualify if the new layer adds at least R12 in an attic, but the starting R-value is usually higher so the rebate may be smaller.
How much will I get for a typical attic?
It depends on the R-value you add and the square feet. A 1,500 square foot attic that adds R-22 would pay about $660 by the published formula.
Do I need a permit?
Insulation needed to satisfy a building permit for an addition or new build does not qualify. Check with the City of Surrey if you are unsure whether your job needs one.
Can landlords claim?
The BC Hydro account holder applies, and anyone else needs a signed consent form from the account holder. Condos and apartments have a separate program.
What if I heat with gas?
FortisBC lists the same formula for its gas customers. BC Hydro's version is for electrically heated homes.
What to do next
Next look at Surrey window rebates and heat pump rebates. You can also compare nearby Langley and Burnaby.
By Sam Menard. Sources, last read October 2, 2026: BC Hydro insulation rebates, BC Hydro Home Renovation Rebate Program, FortisBC insulation rebates, Statistics Canada 2021 Census, table 98-10-0233-01. All Surrey rebates → Every BC Hydro rebate →