Heat Pump or Solar First in BC? An Honest Answer
Short answer: For most BC homes with electric baseboards, an electric furnace or oil heat, do the heat pump first: it cuts the biggest bill, it adds cooling, and the rebate is up to $4,000 (or much more if income-qualified). Solar makes more sense after, sized to your new, lower use. Since July 2026, exported solar earns only 10 cents/kWh, so oversizing solar doesn't pay.
Rebates side by side
| Heat pump | Solar (+ battery) | |
|---|---|---|
| BC Hydro | Up to $4,000 (from electric heat), + up to $1,000 bonus to Oct 31, 2026 | $1,000/kW up to $5,000; battery up to $5,000 with Peak Saver |
| Income-qualified (CleanBC) | Up to $13,000 from gas/oil/propane; $5,000 from electric (Level 1) | None |
| FortisBC areas | Up to $4,000; $12,000 income-qualified | No BC Hydro solar rebate |
Canada’s new heat pump rebate is worth up to $10,000. Get an email the day it opens
Applications are not open yet. Ottawa says they open in early 2027, and that you can add this rebate on top of provincial ones.
- Up to $10,000
- if your household earns below the median income
- $2,000
- for other homeowners who qualify
Stack it with the British Columbia rebate open today
Ottawa says you can combine them. Each program has its own rules. Amounts are the most you can get.
Applications open early 2027
Join the launch alert
- Launch-day email, with what to do first
- Who qualifies for the $10,000, once Ottawa says
- A short hello now, so you know it worked
Know someone with old heating? Send them this.
Only emails about this rebate. No spam, no sales calls. Unsubscribe anytime.
Read everything we know so far Official page: canada.ca
Why the heat pump usually wins first
- Heating is usually the biggest part of a BC home's energy bill.
- A heat pump makes each unit of electricity go further than baseboards.
- It adds summer cooling.
- Solar sized after the heat pump fits your real new use.
When solar might come first
- You already have a heat pump.
- You want backup power (solar plus an approved battery).
- You heat with gas and don't qualify for the income-based rebate, so a heat pump has no rebate for you right now.
We don't quote a single payback number, because it depends on your bills and your home. Ask installers to show the math using your last 12 months of bills.
What to do next
- Check who your electric utility is.
- Check whether your income qualifies for CleanBC.
- Get quotes from qualified contractors and apply on time.
Questions people ask
Should I get a heat pump or solar first in BC?
For most homes with electric or oil heat, the heat pump first. Then size solar to your new, lower use.
Can I get both rebates?
Yes. BC Hydro's heat pump and solar rebates are separate programs and you can claim both if you qualify.
See your city's rebates
Compare top-rated local installers, ranked by Google reviews. Free for homeowners, and we'll tell you honestly if the math doesn't work for your home.
See your city's rebates →Sources, checked September 26, 2026: BC Hydro heat pump rebates · BC Hydro solar and battery rebates · BC Hydro self-generation rate updates · CleanBC Energy Savings Program rules (July 6, 2026).
