What is the $1.2 Million Property Assessment Rule?

If you register on or after April 1, 2026, your home's total BC Assessment value must be $1,200,000 or less to qualify for ESP1 or ESP2 rebates. Homes assessed up to $1,820,000 can still qualify for ESP3. Condos and apartments fall under a separate rebate stream with a $754,000 cap.

Whose income is included in the 'Household Income' calculation?

The combined pre-tax income of everyone living in the home who is over 18, excluding dependants. Income verification is required for each of them - a CRA Notice of Assessment works, but the program also accepts income or disability assistance confirmation, SAFER or Rental Assistance letters, a GIS notice, ECAP proof, or a signed Endorsement Form.

How big does the heat pump need to be?

Switching from gas, oil, or propane: the heat pump must be able to heat all the conditioned space your old system served, and the old fossil-fuel system must be removed. Switching from electric or wood: it must be sized as the home's primary heating system and serve a main living area. Your contractor may be asked for a CSA F280-12 heat load calculation to prove sizing.

Can I keep my gas furnace or electric baseboards as backup?

Electric baseboards can stay - for electric conversions the backup must be electric. A gas furnace cannot: gas, oil, and propane conversions require removal of the fossil-fuel system, though a gas fireplace can remain as secondary heat. Dual-fuel systems that keep a gas furnace are only eligible for Pacific Northern Gas customers or tanked-propane homes.

Why must I use an HPCN-Certified contractor?

All rebate-eligible upgrades must be installed by a contractor registered with the CleanBC Energy Savings Program, drawn from the Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN). Hiring a non-registered contractor or self-installing makes you ineligible for provincial rebates.

Do I need to apply before or after the installation?

Before. You must pre-register and receive an Eligibility Code before any work begins or equipment is paid for. For applications received on or after July 6, 2026, your code is valid for 3 months from approval. Your contractor then submits the final application within 6 months of the invoice date.

How to Stack BC Heat Pump Rebates in 2026: The Complete Guide

Important update for 2026: The Canada Greener Homes Loan closed to new applicants on October 1, 2025. This guide covers only programs that are currently active.

BC homeowners have access to multiple heat pump rebate programs in 2026 — and the most important thing most people don’t realise is that several can be combined. Stack the right programs and you could cut your installation cost by $4,000 to $23,900.

But stacking has rules. Pick the wrong combination and you’ll either leave money on the table or get your application rejected. This guide covers exactly which programs are active, how they interact, and how to claim every dollar you’re entitled to.

The Two Streams: You Must Choose One

The single most important rule in BC’s rebate system: you cannot combine the income-qualified CleanBC Energy Savings Program (ESP) with the standard CleanBC Better Homes stream for the same heat pump. You pick one. ESP almost always offers more if you qualify.

Stream	Who It Is For	Max Heat Pump Rebate
CleanBC Energy Savings Program (ESP)	Income-qualified households	Up to $13,000
CleanBC Better Homes (Standard)	Any BC homeowner	Up to $4,000

Not sure which stream you qualify for? Use our free 60-second rebate checker before reading further.

Stream 1: Income-Qualified (ESP) — What You Can Stack

If your household qualifies for ESP1, ESP2, or ESP3, this is your foundation. The rebate is applied directly by your HPCN contractor — you pay only the net amount at installation.

ESP Heat Pump Rebate

Tier	Income (Family of 4)	Heat Pump Rebate
ESP1	Under $94,900	$13,000
ESP2	$94,900 to $118,600	$7,000
ESP3	$118,600 to $189,800	$3,500

Thresholds shown are for a household of 4 and vary by household size.

Electrical Service Upgrade (Stackable)

If your home needs a panel upgrade to support the heat pump, you can claim this separately on top of your heat pump rebate.

Tier	Electrical Upgrade Rebate
ESP1	Up to $5,000
ESP2	Up to $3,500
ESP3	Up to $1,500

Other Stackable Upgrades Under ESP

Windows and doors: Up to $2,000 via the Home Renovation Rebate (any Income)
Electrical: $5,000/$3,500/$1,500 (fossil conversions only)
Insulation: Up to $5,500
Heat pump water heater: Up to $3,500
Ventilation: Up to $1,600
Health & Safety: Up to $800

Maximum ESP1 stack: An ESP1 household doing heat pump + panel upgrade + windows + insulation + water heater could receive close to $23,900 in combined rebates — covering many projects in full.

Stream 2: Standard Stream (No Income Test) — What You Can Stack

If your income is above the ESP threshold, or you prefer not to submit income documents, the standard stream still delivers real savings. One rebate applies here, delivered by BC Hydro/FortisBC — plus a bonus if you combine two or more upgrades.

CleanBC Better Homes

Up to $4,000 for homes switching from electric baseboards to a qualifying heat pump. No income verification required. Note: as of April 11, 2025, rebates for homes switching from natural gas, propane, or oil ended under the standard stream.

How the BC Hydro Rebate Works

The CleanBC Better Homes rebate for electric homes is delivered through BC Hydro (or FortisBC) as one rebate — the amounts above are not two separate cheques. Completing two or more eligible upgrades can add a bonus of up to $2,000.

Up to $4,000 for whole-home systems (meeting the home’s full heating needs at −5°C)
Up to $1,500 for partial systems (heating at least 50% of the home)

Standard stream maximum: A BC Hydro customer replacing electric baseboards can receive up to $6,000 (rebate plus two-upgrade bonus) with zero income verification.

The Rule That Kills Most Applications

If your contractor is not HPCN-registered at the time of installation, your rebate application is automatically rejected. It does not matter how qualified they are or how good the equipment is.

Always verify your contractor’s status before signing anything at homeperformance.ca/find-a-contractor. Our matching service connects you with certified local installers directly.

Pre-Register Before Work Starts

For the ESP stream, you must pre-register at the CleanBC participant portal and receive an Eligibility Code before any installation begins. Starting work without the code means losing all ESP rebates.

Real Stacking Scenarios for 2026

Electric Baseboard, Family of 4, Income Under $94,900 (ESP1)

ESP1 heat pump rebate (electric conversion): $5,000
Electrical service upgrade: not eligible (fossil-fuel conversions only)
Heat pump water heater: $3,500
Total: up to $8,500

Electric Baseboard, Standard Stream (Income Over $189,800)

CleanBC Better Homes: $4,000
Two-upgrade bonus: up to $2,000
Total: up to $6,000 with no income verification

Natural Gas, Family of 4, Income $118,600–$189,800 (ESP3)

ESP3 heat pump rebate: $3,500
Electrical service upgrade: $1,500
Total: up to $5,000

ESP3 heat pump rebates apply only to homes switching from gas, propane, or oil. Electric baseboard homes at ESP3 income levels should use the standard CleanBC Better Homes stream instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim both the ESP rebate and the BC Hydro rebate?

No. ESP and the standard CleanBC/BC Hydro stream cannot be combined for the same heat pump. You choose one. ESP almost always offers more if you qualify.

Does my contractor handle the paperwork?

For the ESP stream, yes — your HPCN contractor submits all documentation on your behalf after installation. Your main responsibility is pre-registering and providing income documents.

What if I qualify for ESP but my home is assessed over $1.2 million?

Homes assessed above $1,200,000 do not qualify for ESP1 or ESP2, even if income is below the threshold. You would qualify as ESP3 instead, which has a property cap of $1,820,000. Read our guide on the property assessment rule.

How long do I have to submit after installation?

All applications must be submitted within 6 months of the invoice date. Do not wait — programs can become oversubscribed, historically in late summer or early fall.

This guide reflects BC rebate programs as of June 2026. Program amounts and eligibility are subject to change. Always confirm current details at betterhomesbc.ca or with a registered HPCN contractor before proceeding.