What do the CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Programs define as my Primary Heating System?
The CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program Requirements [220KB PDF] and Additional Terms and Conditions [90.3KB PDF] include primary heating systems as one of the determining factors for eligibility.
To participate in the CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Programs, the home must be heated by a primary heating system that uses an eligible fuel type.
Eligible fuel types:
- Electricity supplied by BC Hydro
- Natural gas supplied by FortisBC Energy Inc.
- Natural gas supplied by Pacific Northern Gas Ltd.
- Piped-propane supplied by FortisBC Energy Inc.
- Electricity supplied by FortisBC Inc.
- Oil
- Propane (not supplied by FortisBC)
- Electricity supplied by a Municipal Utility
- Wood or other solid fuel (eligible for select upgrades only)
The Terms and Conditions define a Primary Heating System as:
- A primary heating system is a heating system with the capacity to heat a minimum of 50% of the home for the entire heating season to 21ºC.
- Determination of the primary heating type is at the sole discretion of the program partners.
Clarifications and Exceptions for determining your Primary Heating System
- Open wood fireplaces, natural gas fireplaces, and propane fireplaces are not considered primary heating systems by the CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Programs even if it is the only heating system in use on the premises or if the system has the capacity and is used to heat a minimum of 50% of the home for the entire heating season.
- Where both a primary heating system and a fireplace are present, the fireplace will not be considered the primary heating system.
- Homes heated primarily by natural gas from Pacific Northern Gas (PNG) are eligible for: insulation rebates, window/door rebates, fuel switch heat pump rebates, heat pump water heater rebates, as well as bonus offers and EnerGuide home evaluation rebates. They are currently not eligible for natural gas furnace rebates, natural gas boiler rebates, natural gas fireplace rebates, or natural gas water heater rebates.
- Homes heated primarily by wood or other solid fuels are eligible for: air source heat pump rebates, heat pump water heater rebate, natural gas water heater rebate, EnerGuide home evaluation rebates, and the Two Upgrade Bonus.
What is my Primary Heating System?
- To be considered primarily heated by electricity supplied by BC Hydro or FortisBC, the home must have an electric heating system such as baseboards, a furnace, or a heat pump which are primarily used. If a fireplace exists on the premises, the electric heating system is still considered the primary heating system.
- To be considered primarily heated by oil, the home must have an oil furnace or boiler which is primarily used. If a fireplace exists on the premises, the oil heating system is still considered the primary heating system.
- To be considered primarily heated by natural gas or propane, the home must have a natural gas or propane furnace or boiler which is primarily used. If a fireplace exists on the premises, the natural gas or propane heating system is still considered the primary heating system.
- To be considered primarily heated by wood or other solid fuels, the home must have a wood or pellet stove, insert or furnace and no other heating system in the home or have back up electrical heating (e.g. baseboards) that is rarely or not used.
When determining the rebate you may be eligible for, the heating system(s) present on site prior to the installation of the new primary heating system will determine the space heating rebate available to you through the CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program.
Primary Heating System Type |
System Fuel Type |
Available Primary Space Heating Rebates |
Notes |
| Electric Baseboard / Wall Heater | Electricity |
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| Electric Furnace | Electricity |
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| Electric Heat Pump | Electricity |
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| Electric Combination Space / Water Heat Pump | Electricity |
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| Electric Air-to-Water Heat Pump | Electricity |
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| Natural Gas Furnace | Natural Gas |
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| Natural Gas Boiler or Combination System | Natural Gas |
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| Propane Furnace | Propane |
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| Propane Boiler | Propane |
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| Oil Furnace | Oil |
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| Oil Boiler | Oil |
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| Wood stove | Wood (solid fuel) |
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Heat Pump Rebates are Not Available When:
- There is a heat pump on the premises already. Replacing an existing heat pump or adding a head to an existing heat pump are not eligible. This applies whether the heat pump is functioning or not functioning.
- The home is not an eligible home type.
- The heat pump that is installed does not meet minimum program requirements.