British Columbia's income-qualified home energy rebate program has new rules. The CleanBC Better Homes Energy Savings Program requirements page states that program requirements and rebates changed for invoices dated on or after July 6, 2026, and that some rebates are no longer available. For furnace contractors, the key point is that money for moving gas-heated homes to heat pumps, or to dual-fuel systems, is still there, while several electric and wood conversions are now restricted.
What changed
The answer first: the program now concentrates its higher rebates on homes leaving fossil fuels, and on lower-income households.
The requirements page sets out these restrictions for invoices from July 6, 2026:
- Electric to heat pump (air source): only for participants approved at Income Level 1.
- Wood to heat pump (air source): only for Levels 1 and 2.
- Air-to-water and combined heat pumps: from electric, Level 1 only; from wood, Levels 1 and 2.
- Heat pump water heaters converted from electric or wood: no rebate at Level 3.
- Health and safety, and ventilation: no rebate at Level 3.
- Electrical service upgrades: only for homes switching from a fossil fuel primary space or water heating system.
The program overview page adds that Level 3 rebates are only available for ground-oriented homes switching from natural gas, propane or oil space heating to an electric heat pump. Eligibility codes for applications received on or after July 6 are valid for upgrades completed within three months of approval.
Rebates for gas-heated homes
Conversions from oil, natural gas or propane remain eligible at all three income levels. Selected maximums from the requirements page, for Levels 1 / 2 / 3:
| Upgrade (replacing natural gas) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central ducted or 3-head multi-split heat pump | $13,000 | $7,000 | $3,500 |
| 2-head multi-split or two single-head mini-splits | $11,000 | $5,500 | $1,000 |
| Single-head mini-split | $5,500 | $4,500 | $1,000 |
| Dual-fuel ducted heat pump (piped gas or propane) | $8,500 | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Electrical service upgrade | $5,000 | $3,500 | $1,500 |
A northern top-up of up to $3,000 applies to larger systems at Levels 1 and 2. Dual-fuel figures are higher for tank propane. Income limits depend on household size and the home's assessed value.
Furnace removal and dual-fuel rules
Two rules matter most for furnace work. First, homes converting from a fossil fuel furnace or boiler must remove the home's primary fossil fuel heating system and prove it with a permit, inspection report or removal invoice. Oil-heated homes must also remove the tank. Second, dual-fuel installs work the other way: the existing gas or propane equipment is modified, not removed, so the furnace stays as backup.
The overview page also carried a notice that the site was not being updated, except for urgent public health and safety information, during a provincial election period. Contractors should confirm details with the program's contractor support line before quoting.
Contractor analysis: what BC furnace companies should take from it
This section is FurnaceNews.ca analysis, not part of the program documents.
Dual-fuel is now a clearer fit for Level 1 households. An $8,500 maximum for a dual-fuel ducted system at Level 1 is substantial, and the furnace stays in place. For Levels 2 and 3, the dual-fuel maximum drops to $1,500, so a full ducted conversion carries the larger rebate on paper. Make sure your estimates show both paths where a home qualifies.
Income level decides the pitch. The same house can qualify for very different amounts depending on household income. Advertising one big number to every homeowner will disappoint most of them. It is more honest to say "up to" with the level attached, and to send people to check their own eligibility.
Electric-heated homes need care. Owners of baseboard-heated homes above Level 1 can no longer get the electric-to-heat-pump rebate here. Do not reuse older ads that promised otherwise.
Paperwork is part of the product. Removal documentation and the three-month completion window are easy to miss. A short internal checklist protects the customer's rebate and your reputation.
Our dual-fuel and fuel-switching campaign service covers how we market these options by income level, our British Columbia page adds regulator and climate context, and the newsroom has related briefs, including Technical Safety BC's 2025 carbon monoxide findings.
FurnaceNews.ca is a news and marketing service for heating contractors. We are not the program administrator or a heating contractor. Confirm current rebates with CleanBC Better Homes.
Frequently asked questions
What changed in BC's Energy Savings Program on July 6, 2026?
The program says requirements and rebates changed for invoices dated on or after July 6, 2026, and some rebates are no longer available. Electric-to-heat-pump upgrades are limited to Income Level 1, and wood-to-heat-pump upgrades to Levels 1 and 2.
Can gas-heated homes still get a rebate?
Yes. Conversions from natural gas, propane or oil remain eligible at all three income levels. For a central ducted heat pump replacing gas, the listed maximums are $13,000, $7,000 and $3,500 for Levels 1, 2 and 3.
Is a dual-fuel system with a gas furnace eligible?
The requirements list a dual-fuel ducted heat pump rebate. For piped natural gas or propane, the maximums are $8,500, $1,500 and $1,500 by income level. Dual-fuel installs must modify the existing gas or propane equipment rather than remove it.
Do full conversions require removing the furnace?
Yes. Homes converting from a fossil fuel furnace or boiler must remove the primary fossil fuel heating system and document the removal with a permit, inspection report or removal invoice. Oil-heated homes must also remove the tank.