Thank you to everyone who attended the City of New Westminster and Natural Resources Canada’s “Achieving a High-Quality Heat Pump Upgrade” webinar on March 5, 2026.
In collaboration with Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) Retrofit Insight series, Energy Save New West hosted this free webinar to help homeowners better understand how to plan and implement a high-quality heat pump upgrade. We were pleased to see strong interest from local residents and great questions raised throughout the session.
What we covered
During the webinar, we walked through key steps to help ensure a successful heat pump installation, including:
- Steps to a successful installation: proper sizing, system selection, installation, and performance verification
- Heat pump technologies: ductless, centrally ducted, and hybrid systems—including opportunities and limitations with different system types
- Key considerations: load calculations, duct capacity, electrical service requirements, and balance points
- Working with professionals: how Energy Advisors and qualified HVAC contractors support better outcomes, and what questions homeowners should ask
We also discussed:
- How space heating and cooling impact energy use and greenhouse gas emissions
- Why cooling demand is increasing and how heat pumps differ from traditional air conditioning
- Common risks homeowners may face when best practices are not followed
- The key elements of a high-quality heat pump installation
Missed the webinar?
If you weren’t able to attend, don’t worry—a copy of the presentation is available here.
You can also find information on current rebate programs below. Please note that rebate programs are current as of March 12, 2026, and may be subject to change.
Information on Rebates:
CleanBC Better Homes Rebate Program:
The Province has recently introduced a new tool where homeowners can enter basic information about their home to find rebate programs they may be eligible for. Many of the previous program webpages have been replaced by this tool, so you may need to enter your home details to view available rebates.
Find rebates you may qualify for – BetterHomes BC
Energy Savings Program (Income Qualified)
If your household meets the income eligibility requirements, you may qualify for additional support through the Energy Savings Program. There are three income tiers based on the number of people living in your home, combined pre-tax annual household income, and the assessed value of your property.
You can check your eligibility for income-qualified programs for:
Eligible upgrades may include:
- Air Source Heat Pump – Convert from Electric
- Air-Source Heat Pump – Convert from Natural Gas or Propane
- Air-to-Water Heat Pump – Convert from Electric or Fossil Fuel
Summary of Available Heat Pump Rebates:
For Electrically Heated Homes (Electric Baseboards or Electric Furnace)
Ground-Oriented Homes:
- CleanBC Better Homes Heat Pump Rebates (Regular):
- Up to $4,000 for heat pumps that heat 100% of your home to 21°C when the outdoor temperature is -5°C
- Up to $1,500 for systems that heat ≥50% of your home to 21°C when the outdoor temperature is -5°C
- Energy Savings Program Heat Pump Rebates (Income Qualified)
- Up to $5,000 for heat pumps that heat ≥50% of your home to 21°C when the outdoor temperature is -5°C
- Eligibility based on household income
Multi-Unit Residential Buildings:
- BC Hydro Heat Pump Rebates for Condo and Apartment Units
- $1,000 for single head
- Up to $750 per head (maximum $2,250 for 3 heads)
- CleanBC Energy Savings Program Condo and Apartment Rebate (Income Qualified)
- Up to $5,000 or systems that heat ≥50% of your unit to 21°C when the outdoor temperature is -5°C
- Eligibility based on household income
For Gas Heated Homes (Gas Furnace/Boiler, Income Qualified Only)
The CleanBC heat pump rebate program for gas-heated homes has ended. However, income-eligible households may still qualify for support through the Energy Savings Program, depending on household income and the number of people living in the home.
Ground-Oriented Homes:
- Up to $16,000 for a central ducted heat pump (typically suitable for homes with a gas furnace)
- Up to $16,000 for multi-split heat pumps (typically suitable for homes with a gas boiler)
- Up to $16,000 for an air-to-water heat pump (typically suitable for homes with a gas boiler)
Cold Climate Heat Pump Performance (NEEP):
If you’re interested in exploring cold climate air source heat pump (ccASHP) performance, you can visit the NEEP Product List, which provides detailed information on equipment tested for cold-weather performance.
You can also use the advanced search tool to explore heating and cooling sizing. Please note that this tool is based on U.S. locations and does not include Canadian cities. However, you can select a city with a similar climate to New Westminster—such as Seattle—and use a heating design temperature of −7 °C as a reference.
If you have any questions about heat pumps or available rebates, feel free to contact Energy Save New West!