If the furnace in your basement or crawlspace went in before about 2011, this is very likely the most valuable rebate your home can get right now. A dual fuel system lets a heat pump do the everyday heating and summer cooling, with a new gas furnace standing by for cold snaps. FortisBC paused the program and has now brought it back with new requirements, which we lay out honestly below.
How much FortisBC pays
| Stream | Maximum rebate | Two-upgrade bonus | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | Up to $4,000 | $300 | FortisBC residential natural gas customers |
| Income-qualified | Up to $8,000 | $350 | Households under the income limit (4 people: $94,900) |
Older articles quote $5,000 for the residential rebate. That was the earlier program; new installs fall under the $4,000 and $8,000 amounts above.
Do you qualify? The full list
- The equipment being replaced is a gas furnace at least 15 years old that is the home’s primary heating. Warranty replacements and insurance claims are excluded, and so is replacing an existing dual fuel system.
- The new system is a central ducted air-source heat pump with a new compatible high-efficiency gas furnace, run by a connected thermostat, and listed on FortisBC’s Qualified Dual Fuel Systems List.
- It has an AHRI certified reference number covering the heat pump’s outdoor unit, its indoor unit and the furnace model.
- The switchover is set at or below the regional maximum for the life of the product: 5°C or lower in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island, 2°C or lower in the Southern Interior and Northern BC.
- The installer is a Technical Safety BC licensed gas contractor, a member in good standing of the Home Performance Contractor Network, and listed on the HPCN for this rebate at the time of installation.
- The system is installed on or after October 15, 2026, sized so the heat pump meets the home’s heat demand down to the switchover temperature, and commissioned on site.
- The home is a year-round primary residence at least 12 months old (detached, duplex, triplex, row home, townhouse or mobile home on a permanent foundation) with a FortisBC residential account.
If you’re applying for the $8,000 stream
- Household income at or under the limit for your household size: 1 person $51,100 · 2 $63,600 · 3 $78,200 · 4 $94,900 · 5 $107,600 · 6 $121,400 · 7+ $135,100.
- Home at least 10 years old, no more than 3,500 sq ft, assessed under $1.2 million, and the only property you own in BC.
- Proof of income for every household member 18 or older. FortisBC may also schedule a verification visit.
- One rebate per home. It can’t be combined with other FortisBC, provincial or federally funded rebates for the same system.
The income-qualified rebates page covers the window, insulation, bathroom fan and thermostat rebates that returned alongside this one.
What your contractor has to submit
The claim is yours, yet it depends on your installer getting their records right on day one. Under FortisBC’s rules they must:
- Complete commissioning at installation and submit the data on site through FortisBC’s DSMAlly mobile app.
- Photograph the existing furnace and the new system in the app. The old furnace can’t be photographed once it’s been hauled away.
- Give you a copy of the commissioning sheet, the AHRI certificate and an itemized invoice with model and serial numbers.
How to claim it
- Confirm eligibility first. Find the furnace’s manufacture date on its rating plate and, if you might be income-qualified, request a pre-qualification code before any work.
- Check your contractor’s listing on the HPCN directory, specifically for the dual fuel rebate.
- Ask for the AHRI reference on the quote, covering outdoor unit, indoor unit and furnace.
- Installation day: commissioning and before-and-after photos go into DSMAlly on site.
- Submit your application within six months of the paid invoice date and allow up to 90 days for processing.
How HeatLand helps with the dual fuel rebate
HeatLand’s technicians are brand-agnostic, so the advice on the dual fuel rebate isn’t tied to selling one product. We start with what you have now, how old it is and what you want it to do, then tell you honestly whether a rebate fits, including when the answer is no or when waiting a year makes more sense.
If you go ahead, HeatLand provides a free, no-obligation estimate for qualifying equipment, helps with the CleanBC and utility paperwork, and explains how to confirm any contractor’s listing on the HPCN directory. Call or text (604) 330-3812, or email info@heatland.ca.
When dual fuel makes sense, and when it doesn’t
It works best in ducted homes whose gas furnace is nearing the end of its life, especially where summer heat is a problem. If your furnace is under 15 years old or the ducts are undersized, we’ll say so honestly, and explain whether to wait or what else fits. Compare with the other heat pump rebates.