AC replacement rebates in B.C. (2026)
Last verified October 19, 2026 against official program pages. How we check
As of October 19, 2026, no program open today pays for a like-for-like central air conditioner in B.C.. Replace the AC with a heat pump instead and about $5,000 comes back from programs open today, through Home Renovation Rebate Program and BC Hydro Air Source Heat Pump Bonus Rebate (Fall 2026).
A heat pump is an air conditioner that also heats, so most AC replacement money now comes from heat pump programs.
Every program is also on British Columbia home energy rebates and heat pump rebates in B.C.. The biggest typical amount comes from Home Renovation Rebate Program. See the full price on heat pump cost in British Columbia. Programs often combine: how stacking works.
Your rebate stack
British Columbia · Heat pumps
2 programs
Could add up to
if you qualify for each program
$5,000
+ $2,000 when the National Heat Pump Rebate opens
Verified against official sources ·
How it adds up
- National Heat Pump Rebate+ $2,000
Cold-climate air-source heat pump (other eligible homeowners) · Rebate · Not open yet · not in the total
Instant discount
- Home Renovation Rebate Programup to $4,000
Heat pump, whole-home heating (replacing electric heat) · Rebate
Whole-home heat pump (Home Renovation Rebate Program) · Rebate · Closing soon
Rebate · Regional District of Central Kootenay, Nelson, Castlegar, Creston, Kaslo, Nakusp, New Denver, Salmo, Silverton, Slocan only
Free upgrade · Victoria, Saanich only
Plus 4 loan programs, up to $6,500 · not counted
Program maximums for an air-source heat pump. Ground-source systems can get more. Your amount depends on your home and the equipment. City-only programs aren’t counted in the total.
4 income-qualified programs hidden.
Programs that pay when you replace your AC in B.C.
- Last verified October 12, 2026OpenProvincialBritish Columbia
CleanBC Energy Savings Program (ground-oriented homes)
Income-tested rebates, paid directly to registered contractors, that cover up to the full cost of a heat pump or heat pump water heater for lower- and middle-income B.C. households.
$16,500
max rebate, income-qualified
Rebate - Last verified October 12, 2026OpenUtilityBritish Columbia
Home Renovation Rebate Program
Rebates for B.C. households of any income for heat pumps in electrically heated homes, insulation, windows and doors, and heat pump water heaters, plus larger heat pump rebates for northern homes leaving oil, gas or propane.
$12,500
max rebate
Rebate - Last verified October 12, 2026OpenUtilityBritish Columbia
FortisBC Heat Pump Rebate for Income-Qualified Customers
Heat pump rebates of up to $12,000 for income-qualified FortisBC electricity customers replacing electric heat.
$12,000
max rebate, income-qualified
Rebate - Last verified October 12, 2026UpcomingFederalCanada-wide
National Heat Pump Rebate
A new federal rebate announced on October 8, 2026 that will pay $2,000 toward an eligible cold-climate air-source heat pump, or up to $10,000 for households below the median income. Applications are not open yet.
$2,000
max rebate
Up to $10,000 if income-qualified
Rebate - Last verified October 12, 2026OpenProvincialBritish Columbia
CleanBC Energy Savings Program Condo and Apartment Rebate
Income-tested rebates of up to $5,000 for an in-suite heat pump and up to $3,500 for a heat pump water heater in electrically heated condos and apartments.
$8,500
max rebate, income-qualified
Rebate - Last verified October 12, 2026OpenUtilityBritish Columbia
FortisBC Heat Pump Loan
Low-interest financing of up to $6,500 at 1.9% over ten years for FortisBC electricity customers replacing electric heat with an air source heat pump.
$6,500
max loan
Loan - Last verified October 12, 2026OpenUtilityBritish Columbia
BC Hydro Condo and Apartment Rebate Program
Rebates of up to $2,250 for an in-suite heat pump and $1,000 for a heat pump water heater in electrically heated condos, apartments and stacked townhomes, with no income test.
$3,250
max rebate
Rebate - Last verified October 19, 2026Closing soonUtilityBritish Columbia
BC Hydro Air Source Heat Pump Bonus Rebate (Fall 2026)
A limited-time extra $500 to $1,000 for BC Hydro customers who replace electric heat with an eligible air source heat pump installed, invoiced and paid between August 1 and October 31, 2026.
$1,000
max rebate
Rebate - Last verified October 12, 2026OpenFederalCanada-wide
Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program
Federally funded, no-cost home energy upgrades for low- and median-income homeowners and tenants. You apply through your province's or utility's partner program, not through Ottawa.
Free
Free upgrade - Last verified October 12, 2026OpenProvincialBritish Columbia
PST Exemption on Heat Pumps
Heat pumps bought in B.C. are exempt from the 7% provincial sales tax, while fossil-fuel heating equipment is taxed at 12%.
Varies
Instant discount - Last verified October 12, 2026OpenUtilityBritish Columbia
Energy Conservation Assistance Program
Free home energy evaluation and no-cost installation of upgrades such as heat pumps, insulation and draft-proofing for income-qualified B.C. households.
Free
Free upgrade - Last verified October 12, 2026OpenMunicipalNelson
Nelson Hydro On-Bill Financing (EcoSave Energy Retrofit Loan)
City of Nelson homeowners can borrow up to $16,000 for energy efficiency upgrades and repay it on their Nelson Hydro electric bill. The July 2026 terms show a 3.5% fixed rate over 2, 5 or 10 years.
$16,000
max loan
Loan - Last verified October 19, 2026Closing soonMunicipalNanaimo
Nanaimo Home Energy Retrofit Financing Program
Nanaimo homeowners can borrow up to $15,000 interest-free for heat pumps, insulation, windows and doors, solar and batteries, repaid over 10 years on the property tax bill. The current intake runs September 14 to October 31, 2026.
$15,000
max 0% loan
Interest-free loan - Last verified October 12, 2026OpenMunicipalCentral Saanich
Central Saanich Heat Pump Financing Program
Central Saanich offers up to $12,000 in interest-free financing, repaid on the property tax bill over 10 years, to replace an oil, propane or natural gas furnace or boiler with an electric heat pump. Funding for 2026 covers only four homes.
$12,000
max 0% loan
Interest-free loan
Worked example: AC or heat pump in B.C.
| Option | Typical cost | Rebates open today | You’d pay about |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central AC, like for like | $4,760–$4,990 | None province-wide | $4,760–$4,990 |
| Heat pump | $7,000–$16,000 | − $5,000 | $2,000–$11,000 |
AC cost: Canadian Climate Institute (Dunsky technical report), published February 14, 2024, checked October 17, 2026. Modelled installed cost for a detached house (mid-cost case, 2024 report). Typical, not a quote. Heat pump cost: BC Hydro, published April 8, 2022, checked October 17, 2026. BC Hydro estimate from 2022, by home size. Typical, not a quote. Rebates: program pages, last verified October 19, 2026. City-only programs are not subtracted.
Key facts
- Central AC rebates
- None in our data for a like-for-like air conditioner.
- Heat pump instead
- About $5,000 back from Home Renovation Rebate Program and BC Hydro Air Source Heat Pump Bonus Rebate (Fall 2026).
- Typical central AC cost
- $4,760–$4,990 (Canada-wide range). Source: Canadian Climate Institute (Dunsky technical report), published February 14, 2024, checked October 17, 2026. Modelled installed cost for a detached house (mid-cost case, 2024 report). Typical, not a quote.
- Typical heat pump cost
- $7,000–$16,000. Source: BC Hydro, published April 8, 2022, checked October 17, 2026. BC Hydro estimate from 2022, by home size. Typical, not a quote.
- Announced, not open
- National Heat Pump Rebate: $2,000 more if it opens before you install. Not counted above.
- Last verified
- October 19, 2026. Program administrators decide eligibility. Your installer’s quote decides the cost.
Questions people ask
Get up to 3 heat pump quotes in B.C.
Ask for a heat pump and a like-for-like AC price in the same quote. We’ll send your request to up to 3 installers who serve your area.
We’re independent. We never take rebate applications or charge you to apply; always apply through the official program.
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- 1. Your project
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