Quick quiz: how a heat pump works
Ten questions on the machine itself. Tap an answer to see why.
Short answer: If you heat with electric baseboards or an electric furnace, BC Hydro pays up to $4,000 for a whole-home heat pump or $1,500 for a partial one, plus up to $1,000 extra for installs finished Aug 1 to Oct 31, 2026. If you heat with gas, oil or propane, only income-qualified homes get a rebate now: up to $13,000 at the lowest income level, plus a $3,000 northern top-up here.
Prince George is in northern BC, with long, cold winters. Most Prince George homes heat with natural gas. A cold-climate heat pump can carry much of the load, with a furnace or electric backup for the coldest stretches.
Which heat pump rebate fits your home in Prince George?
| Your home now | Who pays | How much |
|---|---|---|
| Electric baseboards or electric furnace (any income) | BC Hydro | Up to $4,000 whole home, $1,500 partial, plus up to $1,000 bonus for installs done Aug 1 - Oct 31, 2026 |
| Gas, oil or propane, income-qualified | CleanBC Energy Savings Program | Up to $13,000 (Level 1), $7,000 (Level 2), $3,500 (Level 3) for a central or 3-head system + $3,000 northern top-up |
| Electric heat, income Level 1 | CleanBC Energy Savings Program | Up to $5,000 (Level 1 only) |
| Gas, oil or propane, not income-qualified | None right now | The general fuel-switching rebate ended April 11, 2025 |
What "whole home" really means for BC Hydro
To get the full $4,000, the heat pump has to meet 100% of your home's heating at -5°C. The contractor proves this with a heat load calculation. If it covers at least half your heating, you get the $1,500 partial rebate instead. Other rules: your installer must be a member of BC Hydro's Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN), and the unit must be on BC Hydro's eligible list (variable-speed, with an AHRI number, HSPF2 of 8.5 or more and SEER2 of 15.2 or more). Apply within six months of your invoice.
Income-qualified? Check this first
If your household income is under the CleanBC limits, you may get most or all of the cost covered. For a family of four, Level 1 is up to $94,900, Level 2 up to $118,600 and Level 3 up to $189,800 (combined pre-tax income). See can you get a free heat pump in Prince George for the full table.
What's different in Prince George
- Prince George is north of 100 Mile House, so income-qualified homes switching from gas, oil or propane can get the CleanBC northern top-up of $3,000 (or $1,500 for a single-head mini-split), for Income Levels 1 and 2.
My tip for Prince George: Ask for a model that holds its heating output at low temperatures, and ask how the backup will switch on. A good installer will show you the numbers for Prince George winters.
What to do next
- Check your current heat. Electric, gas, oil or propane decides which rebate you can get.
- Check your income against the CleanBC table. If you qualify, pre-register before any work starts.
- Hire a qualified contractor (an HPCN member for BC Hydro). They do the heat load calculation and pick an eligible model.
- Ask about insulation too. Doing two upgrades can add a bonus, and a tighter home needs a smaller heat pump.
- Apply within six months of your final invoice.
Questions people ask
Is the BC Hydro heat pump rebate for gas homes?
No. BC Hydro's rebate is only for replacing electric heat. Gas, oil and propane homes can only get a rebate through the income-qualified CleanBC Energy Savings Program right now.
Is the BC Hydro whole-home rebate based on 80% of my space?
No. BC Hydro's whole-home rebate needs the heat pump to meet 100% of your heating at -5°C. Covering 50% or more gets the $1,500 partial rebate.
Did CleanBC rebates change in 2026?
Yes. For invoices on or after July 6, 2026, the income-qualified maximums dropped. The top amount for a gas-to-heat-pump switch is now $13,000 at Level 1, and electric-to-heat-pump is $5,000 at Level 1 only.
Does a heat pump work in a Prince George winter?
Yes, as part of a system. A cold-climate heat pump handles most of the year. On the coldest days, backup heat takes over. For income-qualified homes, the northern top-up helps cover the cost.
Ready to check your home in Prince George?
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Compare top-rated Prince George installers →Sources, checked September 26, 2026: CleanBC Energy Savings Program rules (July 6, 2026) · BC Hydro heat pump rebates.
