Heat Pumps
A heat pump is an efficient home heating and cooling appliance. It uses electricity to move heat in and out of your home. With a single system, you can have a warm, comfortable home during the winter and keep it cool in the summer. Various options are available to supplement your existing heating and hot water systems or replace them entirely.
Rebates
BetterHomesBC offers several heat pump rebates. You can benefit from over $12,000 in rebates when switching from a fossil fuel-based appliance to a heat pump. Funding is available until it is fully allocated or the program ends.
The Regional District of Nanaimo offers two rebates for upgrading to a heat pump:
- Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program: get up to $1,500 when you add a heat pump to your woodstove heated home
- Oil to Heat Pump Rebate: get up to $1,000 when you transit from fossil fuel heating (natural gas, propane, etc.) to an electric heat pump
Cost
The cost of installing a heat pump depends on factors such as the heat pump type, home size, unit brand and labour requirements. To get an idea of how much a heat pump might cost and how much you can expect to save, check out these studies and calculators:
- Saanich’s Make the Switch Study: discovered that, on average, individuals who replace their natural gas furnace or boiler with an electric heat pump are now saving 10 per cent on their utility bill, compared to before the switch
- BC Hydro’s Bringing the Heat report: shows that, on average, the operational cost of a natural gas furnace is around $731 per year, while an electric heap costs around $642 per year
- Compare the costs of your existing heating and hot water systems to a heat pump using BC Hydro's heat pump cost calculator
If you are considering installing a heat pump, we strongly recommend working with a qualified contractor who can guarantee that your installation aligns with your specific needs, goals and budget.