The Short Answer
Before rebates, a heat pump in BC’s Lower Mainland typically costs:
- Single-zone ductless: from about $3,500 installed
- Multi-zone ductless (2-5 indoor heads): about $6,000 - $15,000
- Central ducted heat pump: about $8,000 - $15,000
What you actually pay depends on three things: your household income (CleanBC rebates are income-tested), your home’s assessed value (there’s a cap), and what you heat with today (gas, propane or electric). An income-qualified household replacing a gas furnace can have most or all of a ducted system covered. A higher-income household on gas may get little or nothing from CleanBC. Homes with electric baseboards have separate BC Hydro rebates.
Heat Pump Prices by System Type
| System | Typical installed cost (before rebates) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Single-zone ductless (one indoor head) | $3,500 - $7,000 | Open-plan main floor, suite, addition, replacing baseboards in one area |
| Multi-zone ductless (2-5 indoor heads) | $6,000 - $15,000 | Homes without ducts; room-by-room control |
| Central ducted heat pump | $8,000 - $15,000 | Homes with existing furnace ductwork |
| Ducted mini-split / mixed ducted + ductless | $8,000 - $15,000 | Split-levels, partial ductwork |
What moves the price:
- Capacity and brand. Larger homes need bigger systems. Premium brands cost more (see our Gree vs Tosot vs Daikin and Mitsubishi vs Fujitsu vs LG comparisons).
- Ductwork. Ducts sized for a furnace sometimes need return-air or supply changes for a heat pump’s lower-temperature, higher-airflow heat.
- Electrical. Many heat pumps need a dedicated 240V circuit, and some older homes need a panel or service upgrade.
- Line set routing. Long refrigerant runs, wall penetrations through concrete, or roof-mounted units add labour.
- Removing gas equipment. Required for CleanBC’s gas-conversion rebate.
CleanBC Rebates in 2026: The Actual Tables
These are from the CleanBC Better Homes Energy Savings Program requirements for invoices dated July 6, 2026 or later. Rebates cover 100% of eligible upgrade costs up to the maximum.
Converting from natural gas or propane
| System | Income Level 1 | Income Level 2 | Income Level 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-head mini-split | up to $5,500 | up to $4,500 | up to $1,000 |
| 2-head multi-split or 2 single-head mini-splits | up to $11,000 | up to $5,500 | up to $1,000 |
| Central ducted or 3+ head multi-split | up to $13,000 | up to $7,000 | up to $3,500 |
| Combined space + water heat pump | up to $16,500 | see program | see program |
| Electrical service upgrade (with utility upgrade) | up to $5,000 | up to $3,500 | up to $1,500 |
Key conditions for gas homes:
- The heat pump must be able to heat the whole home the old system heated.
- The gas furnace and gas heating equipment must be removed. Backup heat must be electric or wood. A gas fireplace can stay as secondary heat.
- CleanBC’s own dual-fuel rebate (keeping a furnace as backup) is only for homes on tank propane (up to $12,000 / $5,000 / $3,000) or Pacific Northern Gas. FortisBC natural gas homes have their own dual fuel rebate (below).
Keeping gas as backup: the FortisBC dual fuel rebate (starting Oct. 15, 2026)
FortisBC is bringing back its dual fuel heating system rebate for systems installed on or after Oct. 15, 2026:
| Rebate | |
|---|---|
| FortisBC residential customers | up to $4,000 |
| Income-qualified FortisBC customers | up to $8,000 |
Conditions:
- You must be replacing an existing gas furnace that is at least 15 years old.
- The new system must be a qualifying dual fuel system (a heat pump plus a furnace) with an AHRI certified reference number covering the heat pump’s outdoor and indoor units and the furnace model.
- The switchover to the furnace must be set at 5°C or lower in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island (2°C or lower in the Southern Interior and Northern BC).
- It must be installed by a TSBC-licensed gas contractor listed with the Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN) for the dual fuel rebate. The contractor submits a commissioning sheet with photos of the old and new systems, and you then apply for the rebate yourself. Our technicians have completed FortisBC’s mandatory dual fuel training.
This is the big change for higher-income households: the CleanBC rebates are income-tested, but the FortisBC dual fuel rebate of up to $4,000 isn’t. Full details will be on FortisBC’s rebates page from Oct. 15.
Who qualifies (income levels)
| Household size | Income Level 1 | Income Level 2 | Income Level 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | up to $51,100 | up to $63,900 | up to $102,100 |
| 2 people | up to $63,600 | up to $79,500 | up to $127,200 |
| 3 people | up to $78,200 | up to $97,700 | up to $156,300 |
| 4 people | up to $94,900 | up to $118,600 | up to $189,800 |
| 5 people | up to $107,600 | up to $134,500 | up to $215,200 |
Combined pre-tax household income. Larger households have higher limits.
Home value cap: the property’s BC Assessment value must be at or under $1.2 million for Income Levels 1 and 2, or $1.82 million for Level 3 (for registrations on or after April 1, 2026). In much of Vancouver, Burnaby and the North Shore, this rules out many detached homes, so check your assessment first.
Homes with electric heat
- BC Hydro has offered rebates of up to $4,000 for a whole-home heat pump and $1,500 for a partial-home system when replacing electric baseboards or an electric furnace. These have not been income-tested. Confirm current amounts on BC Hydro’s rebate pages before you sign.
- CleanBC electric-to-heat-pump rebates are limited to Income Level 1 households.
What You’d Actually Pay: Worked Examples
These are illustrations based on the rebate tables above and typical Lower Mainland pricing. Your quote and eligibility will differ.
| Scenario | System cost | Rebate | You pay (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surrey family of 4, $90k income (Level 1), gas furnace → ducted heat pump | $12,000 | up to $12,000 (100% of eligible costs, max $13,000) | ~$0 - $1,000 |
| Port Coquitlam family of 4, $110k (Level 2), gas furnace → ducted heat pump | $12,000 | up to $7,000 | ~$5,000 |
| Langley couple, $120k (Level 3), gas furnace → ducted heat pump | $12,000 | up to $3,500 | ~$8,500 |
| Family of 4, $200k+ (above Level 3), gas furnace → ducted heat pump | $12,000 | $0 (CleanBC) | ~$12,000 |
| Same family, 18-year-old gas furnace → dual fuel (new furnace + ducted heat pump), installed after Oct. 15, 2026 | $15,000 | up to $4,000 (FortisBC) | ~$11,000 |
| Townhouse with baseboards, not income-tested, 2-head ductless | $9,000 | up to $4,000 (BC Hydro whole-home, if eligible) | ~$5,000 |
| Rural Abbotsford, propane, Level 2, dual-fuel ducted | $13,000 | up to $5,000 | ~$8,000 |
The results vary enormously, from nearly free to full price, which is why it’s worth confirming your income level and home value before choosing a system.
Eligibility Rules That Trip People Up
- Use a registered contractor. The installer must be registered for the program. Self-installs and non-registered contractors aren’t eligible.
- The product must be on the list. The heat pump must be on the Qualified Heat Pump Product List, with an AHRI certified reference number for the matched system. In practice that means a variable-speed, cold-climate (NEEP-listed) unit. Our cold-climate heat pump guide explains what that means.
- Register and qualify first. Register for the program and confirm your income level before you commit to a system.
- Pick your route. CleanBC’s conversion rebate requires removing the gas furnace. If you want to keep gas as backup, the FortisBC dual fuel rebate (starting Oct. 15, 2026, furnace 15+ years old) is the route instead. One primary heating rebate per home.
- One primary heating rebate per home. Adding to an existing heat pump, or adding a second heat pump later, isn’t eligible.
- Keep every invoice. Rebate claims need a paid-in-full invoice that meets the program’s requirements.
Rules change during the year. Always check the current requirements on Better Homes BC.
Heat Pump Costs in Surrey, Port Coquitlam and Langley
These three cities are where a lot of Lower Mainland heat pump demand is, and they’re also where rebates work best, because many homes fall under the assessed-value caps.
Surrey. Surrey’s large stock of 1980s-2000s two-storey homes usually has furnace ductwork in good shape, making a central ducted heat pump the natural choice. Many Newton, Fleetwood and Cloverdale homes are assessed under $1.82 million, so Income Level 3 households often qualify for at least $3,500. A typical Surrey ducted install lands at $10,000 to $14,000 before rebates, depending on home size and whether the panel needs work.
Port Coquitlam. Older ranchers and split-levels in Port Coquitlam often have undersized return ducts or a furnace in a tight mechanical room. Expect some ductwork changes with a ducted system, or consider a multi-zone ductless setup for split-levels. Many Port Coquitlam homes fall under the value caps, which keeps Level 1 and 2 rebates within reach.
Langley. Langley mixes newer Willoughby and Walnut Grove subdivisions with acreages in Brookswood, Aldergrove and rural Langley. Subdivision homes suit ducted systems. Acreage homes on propane can qualify for the dual-fuel propane rebate, and they often see the biggest running-cost savings, because propane is expensive per unit of heat.
Bottom Line
Before rebates, budget about $3,500+ for a single-zone ductless heat pump, $6,000 - $15,000 for multi-zone, and $8,000 - $15,000 for a central ducted system in the Lower Mainland. After rebates, an income-qualified household converting from gas can pay little or nothing. Starting Oct. 15, 2026, a household of any income replacing a gas furnace that’s 15+ years old can get up to $4,000 from FortisBC by going dual fuel. Check your income level, your home’s assessed value and your current heating fuel first. Those three facts decide your real cost.
Want a quote with your likely rebate built in? Call 604-991-4894 or send us a message. We install heat pumps across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley and can walk you through program registration before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the Lower Mainland in 2026, a single-zone ductless heat pump starts at about $3,500 installed, multi-zone ductless systems with 2 to 5 indoor heads typically cost $6,000 to $15,000, and a central ducted heat pump typically costs $8,000 to $15,000 before rebates. Electrical upgrades, ductwork changes and difficult installations add to those ranges.
Under the CleanBC Energy Savings Program (invoices dated July 6, 2026 or later), income-qualified households switching from natural gas or propane can receive up to $13,000 for a central ducted or 3-head system at Income Level 1, $7,000 at Level 2 and $3,500 at Level 3. A combined space and water heat pump can receive up to $16,500. Rebates cover up to 100% of eligible costs, to the maximum.
The Energy Savings Program is income-qualified. For a household of four, the 2026 income limits are $94,900 (Level 1), $118,600 (Level 2) and $189,800 (Level 3). The home's assessed value must also be at or under $1.2 million for Levels 1 and 2, or $1.82 million for Level 3. The installer must be a registered program contractor, and the heat pump must be on the qualified product list.
Yes, through FortisBC's dual fuel rebate. Starting Oct. 15, 2026, FortisBC pays up to $4,000 (up to $8,000 for income-qualified households) when you replace a gas furnace that is at least 15 years old with a qualifying dual fuel system: a new furnace paired with a heat pump, with the switchover set at 5°C or lower in the Lower Mainland. CleanBC's heat pump rebate works differently: the gas furnace must be removed and backup heat must be electric or wood. You can receive one primary heating rebate per home, so you pick one route.
Yes. BC Hydro has offered rebates of up to $4,000 for a whole-home heat pump and $1,500 for a partial-home system in electrically heated homes, without income testing. Income Level 1 households can also qualify for CleanBC rebates when converting from electric heat. Confirm current amounts with BC Hydro or Better Homes BC before you sign.
Sometimes. If you're converting from gas, propane or oil to a heat pump through the Energy Savings Program and your utility upgrades your electrical service, CleanBC can cover up to $5,000 (Level 1), $3,500 (Level 2) or $1,500 (Level 3) of the service upgrade costs. A panel upgrade without a utility service upgrade isn't eligible.
