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.

Your 2026 BC Heat Pump Rebate Options – outside the income-qualified ESP program

Based on your answers, you don’t qualify for the main Energy Savings Program tiers — this could be due to income, property value, or heating type. You may still have options below.

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Your Options by Heating Type

You may still qualify for rebates or incentives depending on how your home is heated. Review the section that matches your current system.

Natural Gas, Oil, or Propane

The standard provincial rebate for switching from gas, oil, or propane to a heat pump ended in April 2025 under the non-income-qualified CleanBC Better Homes stream. Northern BC is the exception — up to $8,000 is still available there through the Home Renovation Rebate.
FortisBC dual-fuel rebate: up to ~$5,000 — you keep your existing gas furnace and add a heat pump that works alongside it during most of the heating season.
This is often the most realistic path if you do not qualify for the income-tested Energy Savings Program. An HPCN-certified installer can confirm eligibility and handle the application.

FortisBC dual-fuel rebate

Up to ~$5,000

Keep gas furnace + add heat pump

Electric Baseboard

If your home is heated by electric baseboards, you may still qualify for standard-stream rebates when switching to a heat pump. The rebate is delivered as one program through BC Hydro or FortisBC:

CleanBC Better Homes	Up to ~$4,000	Provincial rebate
Two-upgrade bonus	Up to ~$2,000	When combining two or more upgrades
Combined maximum	Up to ~$6,000	Rebate plus two-upgrade bonus

Confirm your exact amount with an HPCN-certified installer before you pre-register or sign a contract.

Wood or Other Heating

Rebate options for wood-heated and other less common systems vary. Connect with an HPCN-certified installer to review what applies to your home, or confirm current program rules at betterhomesbc.ca.

Preliminary estimate only. Final eligibility depends on your exact income, household size, property assessment value, heating system, and program rules at the time you apply. Always confirm at betterhomesbc.ca or with a registered HPCN contractor before starting work.

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Important note on fuel switching: As of April 11, 2025, provincial rebates for homeowners switching from natural gas, oil, or propane ended under the standard non-income-qualified stream. If your home is heated by electric baseboards, you remain eligible for the standard CleanBC Better Homes rebate of up to $4,000.

Note on federal financing: The Canada Greener Homes Loan closed to new applicants on October 1, 2025. The replacement program, the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (CGHAP), targets low-to-median income households and is not yet available in BC. Speak with your HPCN installer about any current financing options.

What Happens Next

Step 1 — Confirm your eligibility

Your rebate options depend on your current heating system. Connect with a local HPCN installer who can review your specific situation and identify every program you qualify for before any work begins.

Step 2 — Get a quote from an HPCN installer

Only contractors registered with the Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN) can process provincial rebates. Use our matching service below to connect with a certified local installer.

Step 3 — Installer submits on your behalf

Your HPCN contractor handles the rebate documentation and submits within 6 months of your invoice date.

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Frequently Asked Questions

I earn over $190K — do I qualify for any provincial rebates?

Potentially yes, depending on your heating source. If your home is heated by electric baseboards, you may qualify for up to $4,000 through the standard CleanBC Better Homes stream. Confirm with an HPCN installer before proceeding.

What is the Canada Greener Homes Loan and how do I access it?

The Canada Greener Homes Loan closed to new applicants on October 1, 2025. It is no longer available. The federal replacement program (CGHAP) is aimed at low-to-median income households and is not yet active in BC. For current federal financing options, speak directly with your HPCN installer.

Should I still use an HPCN certified contractor at this income level?

Yes, absolutely. Provincial rebates at any tier require an HPCN certified installer. Using a non-registered contractor means your rebate application will be automatically rejected regardless of your income level.

Rebate amounts and program eligibility are subject to change. Always confirm current eligibility at betterhomesbc.ca or with a registered HPCN contractor before proceeding.

View Your Specific Tier Results

Not sure which tier applies to you? Select your income bracket below to see your exact rebate breakdown.

ESP1 — Under $94,900

Up to $13,000

ESP2 — $94,900 to $118,600

Up to $7,000

ESP3 — $118,600 to $189,800

Up to $3,500

Standard — Over $189,800

Up to $4,000 (electric homes)