**This post has been updated with rebate program information available as of September 23, 2020.**

It’s a good time to upgrade your inefficient home heating system. There are rebates currently available through the Home Renovation Rebates Program from BC Hydro, and the CleanBC Better Homes Program funded by the Province of BC and the Government of Canada.

The rebate offered by BC Hydro is $1000 for qualifying air-source mini-split or multi-split heat pump systems installed to replace electric furnaces or baseboard heaters.

The heat pump incentives from the CleanBC Better Homes program are for homes converting from oil or gas heat, and include $3000 for qualifying mini or multi-split systems, $3000 for qualifying variable speed central systems, and $1200 for qualifying conventional central heat pump systems.

Both rebate programs are combined into one online application form.

There are additional municipal top-up rebates available from select municipalities, which are automatically added when rebate applications are processed. These top-ups are only offered when an eligible heat pump system is replacing fossil fuel heat, not when replacing electric heat. Currently there is a $350 top-up rebate for all residents of the Capital Regional District (CRD), an additional $350 top-up for residents of Saanich, Central Saanich, and North Saanich, and an extra $2000 top-up for residents in the City of Victoria!

An EnerGuide Home Evaluation is not required to receive a heat pump rebate, but there is a $200 incentive offered for homeowners who choose to get one. Some municipalities also offer a top-up of $150 on this rebate.

There are additional home energy rebates available. Try the rebate search tool on the CleanBC Better Homes website to find all the rebates that may be applicable to your home. There are also a number of eligibility requirements, so be sure to review the Program Requirements and the Terms and Conditions for all those details.

For further information and guidance on these rebate programs, contact the Energy Coach service, either through their web contact form or by phone: 1-844-881-9790.

Through advanced technology, Inverter heat pumps are more economical to operate and quieter to run than conventional units.
They can handle greater extremes in temperature, are smoother and more stable in operation, and use less energy than conventional units.

The inverter component allows the outdoor unit to vary its speed and output to match the required capacity of the indoor unit.
Thus, an inverter heat pump can achieve 30% more operating efficiency than conventional models.

Since mini-split systems are usually either ductless or have limited ducting, they eliminate energy losses via the ducting associated with central forced-air systems.
Duct losses can be significant if the ducts are not sealed properly, or are installed in an unconditioned space such as an attic or crawlspace.

Envirotemp Refrigeration carries a full line of ductless split heat pump systems from Tempstar, featuring super-efficient inverter technology.
If you are looking for a professional, properly sized and configured installation, contact Envirotemp for a free estimate or call 250-893-4530.