Quick answer
In Surrey in 2026, the main heat pump rebates come from the CleanBC Better Homes programs. At any income, BC Hydro gives up to $4,000 to replace electric heating (baseboards or an electric furnace) with a whole-home heat pump. Income-qualified households can get more through the Energy Savings Program: up to $13,000 when switching from gas, propane or oil. The federal Canada Greener Homes Grant and Loan are closed.
A heat pump heats your home in winter and cools it in summer. Rebates can cover a large part of the cost, but the rules are strict about contractors, equipment and approvals.
This guide lists the programs we could verify on official pages on September 25, 2026. Rebate amounts change often and funding can end without notice. Always confirm on Better Homes BC or BC Hydro before you sign a contract.
Important: For the Energy Savings Program, you must pre-register and get an eligibility code before any work is installed. For BC Hydro condo rebates, you need pre-approval before you buy equipment. Installing first can cost you the rebate.
Which programs are open in 2026?
| Program | Who it is for | Status (Sept 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Home Renovation Rebate (HRR) Program | Detached homes, townhomes, duplexes and small multiplexes, any income | Open |
| CleanBC Better Homes Energy Savings Program (ESP) | Income-qualified households | Open |
| BC Hydro Condo and Apartment Rebate Program | Individual condo and apartment units with electric heat | Open |
| Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP) | Income-qualified BC Hydro and FortisBC customers | Open (free upgrades) |
| Canada Greener Homes Grant (federal) | Homeowners | Closed. December 31, 2025 was the last day to submit documents. |
| Canada Greener Homes Loan (federal) | Homeowners | Closed. Funding is fully committed. |
| Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (federal) | Oil-heated homes | Federal intake closed July 31, 2026 in provinces where Ottawa delivers it alone. B.C. co-delivers it, and ESP participants cannot also get it. |
Rebates at any income: Home Renovation Rebate Program
The HRR Program is run by BC Hydro and FortisBC with the Province. In Surrey, it pays heat pump rebates only if your home is currently heated by electricity, such as baseboards, radiant heat or an electric furnace.
- Whole home heating: up to $4,000. The heat pump must meet 100% of the home's heating needs at -5°C, based on a heat load calculation.
- Partial home heating: up to $1,500. The heat pump must meet at least 50% of the home's heating needs.
- Homes over 1,200 sq. ft. must install a multi-split or central system.
- The heat pump must replace the electric system, and any backup heat must be electric.
- Replacing an existing heat pump, or adding a head to one, is not eligible. Emergency replacement of a broken electric system is not eligible.
- The heat pump must be on the rebate-eligible product list, with a variable-speed compressor.
Gas, propane or oil heat? Under the rules for invoices dated on or after May 15, 2026, HRR heat pump rebates for homes heated with fossil fuels are only for northern homes (100 Mile House and north). In Surrey, fossil-fuel-heated homes should check the income-based Energy Savings Program below.
Limited-time BC Hydro bonus
BC Hydro is offering up to $1,000 in bonus rebates for eligible air source heat pump upgrades. The installation must be completed, invoiced and paid between August 1 and October 31, 2026, and the application submitted by November 30, 2026. Funding is first-come, first-served and can end without notice.
Multiple-upgrade bonuses
- Two Upgrade Bonus: $300 when you install at least two bonus-eligible upgrades within 18 months.
- Home Energy Improvement Bonus: $20 per percentage improvement in your EnerGuide rating, minimum $750, up to $2,000. It needs before-and-after EnerGuide evaluations and at least three bonus-eligible upgrades.
You can only get one of these bonuses.
Income-qualified rebates: Energy Savings Program
The ESP gives bigger rebates based on household income, household size and your property's assessed value. The rules below apply to invoices dated on or after July 6, 2026.
Income limits (combined pre-tax income of adults)
| People in home | Level 1 max | Level 2 max | Level 3 max |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $51,100 | $63,900 | $102,100 |
| 2 | $63,600 | $79,500 | $127,200 |
| 3 | $78,200 | $97,700 | $156,300 |
| 4 | $94,900 | $118,600 | $189,800 |
| 5 | $107,600 | $134,500 | $215,200 |
| 6 | $121,400 | $151,700 | $242,700 |
| 7 or more | $135,100 | $168,900 | $270,200 |
Property value limits (for people registering on or after April 1, 2026): Level 1 and 2 homes must have a BC Assessment value of $1,200,000 or less. Level 3 homes must be $1,820,000 or less. Level 3 is only for ground-oriented homes switching from gas, propane or oil to a heat pump.
Maximum heat pump rebates (gas or propane heated homes)
- Central ducted or 3-head multi-split: $13,000 (Level 1), $7,000 (Level 2), $3,500 (Level 3)
- 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
- Electrical service upgrade (when switching from fossil fuel): $5,000, $3,500, $1,500
Oil-heated homes have the same limits, except a single-head mini-split is $7,000, $5,000 and $3,000. Rebates cannot be more than 100% of eligible costs.
Electrically heated homes
For homes heated with electricity, the ESP summary table lists heat pump rebates up to $5,000 at Level 1. The Level 2 amount ($4,000) is marked for wood-heated homes only. Add-ons may include ventilation (up to $1,600) and health and safety repairs such as mould or pests (up to $800).
Other ESP rules
- The home must be a year-round primary residence, at least 12 months old.
- Condos and apartment buildings use a separate condo and apartment stream.
- Renters need a Landlord Consent Form from the owner.
- Your eligibility code is valid for upgrades completed within 3 months of approval.
- The rebate is paid to the contractor. You pay the rest.
- ESP cannot be combined with HRR for the same upgrade.
Condos and apartments
BC Hydro's Condo and Apartment Rebate Program offers up to $2,250 to replace a unit's electric heat with a heat pump, and $1,000 for a heat pump water heater. You need pre-approval before buying equipment, and usually approval from your strata. Renters are not currently eligible. If your income qualifies, BC Hydro recommends applying to CleanBC's income-qualified condo and apartment rebates instead (heat pumps up to $5,000).
Free upgrades for lower-income households
The Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP) gives free upgrades to income-qualified BC Hydro and FortisBC customers. BC Hydro says some homes may qualify for a free heat pump, insulation and other upgrades after a free home energy evaluation.
You must use a program registered contractor
Program registered contractors are members of the Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN) with program training. You need one for all ESP upgrades and for HRR heat pump and insulation upgrades. Not every contractor is registered for both programs, so check the "Qualified Program(s)" column in the Better Homes BC contractor search. Self-installation is never eligible.
In Surrey, every heat pump installation also needs an electrical permit. A dual-fuel system also needs a gas permit from Technical Safety BC.
BC Hydro recommends getting three quotes and taking time to compare offers. It also notes that new consumer protection rules restrict high-pressure door-to-door sales. Learn your rights from Consumer Protection BC before you sign.
How to apply, step by step
- Check your eligibility. Use the 10-question rebate questionnaire on Better Homes BC. Note your heating type, home type and income level.
- If you are income-qualified, pre-register for ESP first. Apply in the ESP Application Portal with income documents (such as your CRA Notice of Assessment) and wait for your eligibility code.
- Condo owners: get strata approval and apply for BC Hydro pre-approval.
- Get quotes from program registered contractors. For a whole-home rebate, the contractor must do a heat load calculation.
- Install the heat pump and get your permits and inspection.
- Keep your paperwork: the paid invoice showing a $0 balance, and the heat load summary and report for whole-home jobs.
- Apply for HRR within 6 months of the invoice date, using BC Hydro's online application. BC Hydro says processing can take up to 90 days after all documents are received. For ESP, the contractor receives the rebate.
Does the City of Surrey offer a top-up?
We could not find a City of Surrey heat pump rebate top-up. Surrey's Incentives and Rebates page points residents to CleanBC Better Homes and BC Hydro programs. If a local top-up is available, Better Homes BC says it is added automatically when you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the BC Hydro heat pump rebate?
Up to $4,000 for a whole-home heat pump that replaces electric heating, or up to $1,500 for partial home heating. A bonus of up to $1,000 applies to eligible installs paid between August 1 and October 31, 2026.
Is the CleanBC heat pump rebate still available in 2026?
Yes. CleanBC Better Homes runs the Home Renovation Rebate and the Energy Savings Program. In Surrey, gas, propane and oil conversions are covered through the income-based Energy Savings Program.
Is the Canada Greener Homes Grant still open?
No. It is closed. December 31, 2025 was the last day to submit documents. The Canada Greener Homes Loan is also closed.
Can renters get a heat pump rebate?
For ground-oriented homes, renters can apply with a consent form from the owner. BC Hydro's condo and apartment program is not currently open to renters.
Can I install the heat pump myself?
No. Self-installations are not eligible. Heat pumps must be installed by a program registered contractor, and Surrey requires an electrical permit.
Do I need approval before installing?
For the Energy Savings Program and BC Hydro condo rebates, yes. For HRR, you apply after the work is done, within 6 months of the invoice date.
Official sources
- Home energy rebate programs — Better Homes BC (Province of B.C.)
- Home Renovation Rebate Program — Better Homes BC
- Home Renovation Rebate Program requirements — Better Homes BC
- Energy Savings Program — Better Homes BC
- Energy Savings Program requirements — Better Homes BC
- Find a program registered contractor — Better Homes BC
- Heat pump rebates — BC Hydro
- How to get your home renovation rebate — BC Hydro
- Condo and Apartment Rebate Program — BC Hydro
- Free programs based on income — BC Hydro
- Canada Greener Homes Initiative — Natural Resources Canada
- Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program — Natural Resources Canada
- Heat Pump Installation — City of Surrey
- Incentives & Rebates — City of Surrey
General information only, not professional advice. Rules and prices change, so check the official sources above before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.