What heat pump water heater rebates pay in Surrey
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 Surrey example
An electric tank replaced with an eligible heat pump model earns up to $1,000 from BC Hydro. If the same project includes attic insulation that adds R-30 to 1,500 square feet, the attic line pays 0.02 x 30 x 1,500 = $900, the cap. That is $1,900 before any bonus, by our arithmetic on the published rules.
Who in Surrey can use this
The 2021 Census counted 185,670 households in Surrey, and 70% own their home. About 33% live in detached houses and 25% in apartments. A detached house with its own water heater is where this rebate fits. Condo owners use a separate BC Hydro program. Surrey's average January low from 2015 to 2024 was 0.7°C, so the utility room rarely gets very cold, which matters for a heat pump tank that draws heat from the air.
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.
Where a rebate can combine
A heat pump water heater is a good second upgrade. Pair it with attic insulation and you may qualify for BC Hydro's multi-upgrade bonus. Our Surrey insulation page shows what an attic top-up pays.
Top-rated installers in Surrey
These are the top-rated heat pump and HVAC companies near Surrey 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 Surrey
- 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 BC Hydro pay if my tank is gas?
No. BC Hydro and FortisBC only pay when you replace an electric water heater.
Can I get $3,500?
Only if your household income qualifies for the CleanBC Energy Savings Program. The amount depends on income level and the fuel you are replacing.
Is a broken heat pump water heater eligible?
Emergency replacement of a broken heat pump water heater is not eligible. Replacing a standard electric tank is.
Do I need a special contractor?
A licensed contractor with a GST number and a BC business licence for the trade. A Home Performance Contractor Network member is not required for water heaters.
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 Surrey 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 Surrey rebates → Every BC Hydro rebate →