On July 6th, 2026, CleanBC narrowed the Better Homes Energy Savings Program (ESP) rebate for electric-to-heat-pump conversions. After that date, the electric-to-heat-pump ESP rebate is Income Level 1 only. Oil, propane and natural gas conversions still qualify at all three income levels.
BC Hydro’s heat pump rebate is a separate program. Here’s the part many guides get wrong: you can use BC Hydro’s rebate or CleanBC’s ESP on the same install, not both. BC Hydro’s terms say its rebates “cannot be combined” with the CleanBC ESP.
If someone quoted you a stack that adds the two together, the math is wrong. Here’s the current picture.
What changed on July 6th
Electric-to-heat-pump ESP rebate: now Level 1 only. If you heat with electric baseboards or an electric furnace and you’re above Level 1, CleanBC has no heat pump rebate for you. BC Hydro’s rebate may still apply.
Pre-registration codes last three months. You must pre-register and be approved before the install starts. The install has to happen within three months of approval.
Assessed-value cap. Since April 1st, 2026, homes assessed over $1,200,000 can’t get Level 1 or Level 2 rebates. The Level 3 cap is $1,820,000.
Who qualifies for the electric-to-heat-pump ESP
Level 1 households only. Level 1 is based on the combined pre-tax income of all adults in the home:
| People in home | Level 1 income at or below |
|---|---|
| 1 | $51,100 |
| 2 | $63,600 |
| 3 | $78,200 |
| 4 | $94,900 |
| 5 | $107,600 |
If you qualify at Level 1, the ESP covers 100% of eligible costs for a ductless heat pump, up to $5,000. Check the current table on the Better Homes BC eligibility page before assuming.
Everyone else on electric heat can look at BC Hydro’s rebate instead: up to $4,000 for a heat pump that heats the whole home, or $1,500 for one that heats at least half of it. BC Hydro requires an HPCN contractor and a heat load calculation, and the heat pump must replace your electric heat. BC Hydro’s $1,000 fall bonus ended on October 31st, 2026.
Oil, propane and natural gas homes
Fossil-fuel conversions still qualify at all three levels. For a central ducted system:
| Converting from | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil | Up to $13,000 | Up to $7,000 | Up to $3,500 |
| Natural gas or propane | Up to $13,000 | Up to $7,000 | Up to $3,500 |
BC Hydro’s heat pump rebate does not apply here, because it only covers replacing electric heat.
Two notes for oil households:
- OHPA closed to new applications on July 31st, 2026. If a contractor mentions OHPA as current, they haven’t updated.
- Coordinate the oil tank removal with the install, not after.
The electrical service upgrade rebate
Older Island homes on 100-amp service often need more capacity for a heat pump. The ESP covers part of a service upgrade: up to $5,000 at Level 1, $3,500 at Level 2 and $1,500 at Level 3.
The rules are strict:
- Only homes converting from oil, propane or natural gas qualify. Electric-to-heat-pump conversions don’t.
- The new service wire must be upgraded by your utility (BC Hydro or FortisBC).
- It must be installed within six months of the heat pump.
The new federal rebate
As of November 1st, 2026, there’s also a federal National Heat Pump Rebate: $2,000, or up to $10,000 for households at or below the BC median after-tax income. Applications open in early 2027, and eligible installs from November 1st, 2026 can count. Ottawa says it can be combined with provincial programs. BC programs haven’t published their own rules on it yet, so check each program’s terms before you count on a total.
Three common scenarios today
Scenario A: Level 1, electric heat. CleanBC ESP up to $5,000 (ductless), or BC Hydro up to $4,000. Not both. The federal rebate may add up to $10,000.
Scenario B: Above Level 1, electric heat. BC Hydro up to $4,000 (whole home). The federal rebate may add $2,000, or up to $10,000 if your after-tax income is at or below the BC median.
Scenario C: Oil heat, Level 1, central ducted. CleanBC ESP up to $13,000. The federal rebate may add up to $10,000, unless the address already got federal heat pump money such as OHPA. Highest possible stack in BC right now.
No rebate can be more than what you actually paid.
What to expect from us
A Comfort Specialist visits your home, checks your panel and does a heat load calculation. We’re a registered CleanBC contractor, so we pre-register you before the install and submit your ESP claim.
Family-owned. Island-grown. 4.9 ★ Google Rated across the Island.
Call (236) 361-8293 or reach us through our contact page.
The Sasquatch Field Team
