July 11, 2024 – “We are working to make electric heat pumps and efficiency upgrades more affordable for low- and middle-income households across the province, helping them to save on their energy bills and build cleaner, more resilient communities,” said Josie Osborne, BC’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation.

To that end, the province is adding $151 million to the $103.7 million that’s coming from Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Fund and the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) program to help people make the switch to heat pumps.

Funding from the federal ministries of Environment and Climate Change and Energy and Natural Resources will be used by British Columbia to provide grants that will enable residents to switch their home heating systems from oil, propane, or natural gas to “cleaner” heating and cooling options.

Funding will also enable building upgrades for income-qualified homeowners and tenants through the CleanBC Better Homes Energy Savings Program, which aims to support the installation of heat pumps to reduce energy bills for low- and middle-income households.

With the support of the OHPA program, income-qualified applicants could receive a rebate of as much as $16,000 to switch to high-efficiency heat pumps in homes currently heated with oil. With the support of the Low Carbon Economy fund, these changes will also apply to homes heated with natural gas and propane.

This is an increase in support of approximately 70% from BC’s existing rebate program, says BC’s Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation.

Eligible residents in northern B.C. can access up to an additional $3000 toward the installation of a heat pump. Homes that require an electrical system upgrade can also qualify for a rebate of up to $5000 to complete the work.

This funding could help income-qualified applicants receive a total of as much as $24,000 to cover the costs of heat pump installation.

In addition to these increased rebates, successful OHPA applicants who make the switch from oil heating to an electric heat pump will also receive an upfront, one-time payment of $250 from the Government of Canada.

The CleanBC Better Homes Energy Savings Program also provides funding for home upgrades, such as the installation of energy-efficient windows and doors, insulation and ventilation.

Households that switch from fossil fuels to electric heat pumps for space heating can see energy savings of as much as 80%, adds the Ministry of Energy, Mines.