The honest answer: no standalone HRV rebate in Victoria
There is no standalone BC HRV or ERV rebate. The provincial CleanBC Better Homes Energy Savings Program pays up to $1,600 toward a heat or energy recovery ventilator (and up to $300 for a bathroom fan), but only for income-qualified households (Level 1 or Level 2), and only when the ventilation work is installed alongside a qualifying heat pump, heat pump water heater, insulation, or windows/doors upgrade in the same project. Income Level 3 households and anyone installing ventilation on its own get nothing toward it.
Victoria's free energy navigator service is a good first stop for figuring out whether a ventilation upgrade makes sense for your specific home, since a navigator can walk through whether your project qualifies for the paired Energy Savings Program rebate before you commit to anything.
HRV/ERV, income-qualified (Level 1 or 2), must pair with another eligible upgrade.
Bathroom fan, same income-qualified rules apply.
Ventilation installed on its own, or for Income Level 3 households.
Who actually qualifies
- Your household falls into Income Level 1 or Level 2 under the Energy Savings Program's income thresholds (based on household size and combined pre-tax income)
- You have a residential BC Hydro account at the Victoria service address
- The HRV or ERV unit is on the program's qualified product list, installed by a Registered Contractor
- The ventilation work is submitted in the same application as a qualifying heat pump, heat pump water heater, insulation, or windows/doors upgrade
What doesn't qualify
A ventilation-only project in Victoria — installing an HRV or ERV with nothing else happening — is not eligible for any rebate under this program, regardless of income. Income Level 3 households (the higher-income tier of BetterHomes BC's Energy Savings Program) also receive nothing toward ventilation, even when it's paired with a qualifying upgrade.
Why homes end up needing HRV anyway
Sealing a Victoria home for a heat pump or insulation upgrade makes it airtight enough that stale air, moisture, and indoor pollutants stop escaping on their own. An HRV or ERV swaps that stale air for fresh outdoor air while recovering most of the heat, which is why the province ties the rebate to a heat pump or envelope project rather than paying for it as a stand-alone comfort upgrade. Our HRV guide covers the mechanics, system costs, and top brands in more detail.
How to claim it in Victoria
- Check what you qualify for first with the free rebate assessment — it'll tell you if a heat pump, insulation, or windows project is realistic for your home
- Confirm your household income falls into Level 1 or Level 2 using the Energy Savings Program's household-size thresholds
- Book a Registered Contractor for the paired project (heat pump, water heater, insulation, or windows) and have them include the HRV/ERV or bathroom fan in the same scope
- The contractor submits the rebate application and supporting documentation on your behalf within six months of the invoice date
Find an installer in Victoria
If you're pairing ventilation with a heat pump or insulation job, browse HVAC and retrofit contractors serving Victoria in our installer directory.
Common questions
Is there a standalone HRV rebate in Victoria?
No. Victoria homeowners cannot get a rebate for a heat recovery ventilator or energy recovery ventilator installed on its own. CleanBC's Energy Savings Program pays up to $1,600 toward HRV/ERV equipment, but only for income-qualified households, and only when it's installed alongside a qualifying heat pump, heat pump water heater, insulation, or windows/doors project.
Who qualifies for the Victoria ventilation rebate?
You need to fall into Income Level 1 or Level 2 under the Energy Savings Program's household-size-based income thresholds, have a residential BC Hydro account, and pair the ventilation upgrade with another eligible Energy Savings Program project in the same application. Income Level 3 households don't qualify for any ventilation rebate under this program.
Other rebates in Victoria
Next steps
View all Victoria rebate programs →, get matched with installers via Get Quotes, or check BetterHomes BC's Energy Savings Program requirements → for the current source of truth.