What heat pump water heater rebates pay in Victoria
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 Victoria character house
An older house replaces an electric tank with an eligible heat pump model and earns up to $1,000. A crawlspace insulation job adding R-20 under 900 square feet of floor earns $1,000, the cap on that line. Together that is $2,000 before any bonus.
Who in Victoria can use this
The 2021 Census counted 49,220 households in Victoria. About 70% live in apartments and 60% rent, and only 4,515 own a detached house built before 1981. If you rent a house and your landlord owns the tank, the account holder applies. Anyone else needs the account holder's signed consent form. Victoria's average January low from 2015 to 2024 was 3.0°C, the mildest in our BC list.
Gas tank or electric tank?
Look at the label on your tank or at your energy bills. If it is electric, you can apply. If it burns natural gas, propane or oil, BC Hydro and FortisBC will not pay for a heat pump tank, because both rebates are for electric tanks only. The exception is the CleanBC Energy Savings Program for lower-income households, which lists up to $3,500 for Level 1 and, from an electric tank, up to $2,800 for Level 2. Each home gets one primary water heating rebate across all programs.
Questions to ask the installer
A heat pump water heater pulls warmth from the air around it, so where it sits matters. Ask the installer how much open space the model needs, how loud it runs, where the condensate drains, and what happens in a cold utility room. These are not program rules, but they decide whether you like the tank after the first winter. Get the answers in the quote.
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.
Landlords and tenants
If you own a rental house with an electric tank, you can apply as the BC Hydro account holder or sign a consent form for the tenant who holds the account. A heat pump water heater lowers the power bill, which is paid by the tenant in many rentals, so the saving may not reach the owner. Agree who pays before you buy.
Top-rated installers in Victoria
These are the top-rated heat pump and HVAC companies near Victoria 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 Victoria
- 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
Can renters claim in Victoria?
The account holder applies. A tenant who is not the account holder needs the account holder's consent.
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.
Does the mild climate matter?
Victoria's January low averages 3.0°C, so the tank has an easy job, but the program does not set a temperature rule.
Is there a bonus?
BC Hydro lists a bonus of up to $2,000 for more than one eligible upgrade.
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 Victoria 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 Victoria rebates → Every BC Hydro rebate →