Electric heat pumps are becoming more accessible for renters and other multi-residential occupants across British Columbia as the province seeks to remove cost barriers to this clean energy solution.

The province plans to deliver as many as 8,300 new heat pump rebates.. Households in individual suites in multi-unit residential buildings could be eligible for up to $5,500 for a ductless mini-split heat pump. B.C. will partner with BC Hydro and FortisBC to expand their Energy Conservation Assistance Program to offer heat-pump installations to the lowest-income households in single-family homes and individual suites.

“Heat pumps provide year-round comfort with efficient cooling in the summer and heat in the winter, and they can be up to 300% more efficient than electric baseboard heating,” said Chris O’Riley, president and CEO, BC Hydro. “We are pleased the Province will partner with BC Hydro and FortisBC to expand their Energy Conservation Assistance Program as we work to ensure more British Columbians have access to heat pump technology.”

The CleanBC Energy Savings Program, launched in June 2024, leverages contributions from BC Hydro and the federal government to support greater access to home energy retrofits for low- to moderate-income households, including renters. The program, which supports the installation of affordable heat pumps for income-qualified, single-family homes, will expand to include individual suites in multi-unit residential buildings starting mid-2025.

In September 2024, B.C. launched a Multi-Unit Residential Building Retrofit Program to support rental, strata and equity co-op buildings to make the switch to more energy-efficient and cleaner technologies. A key feature of the new actions is the expansion of heat pump rebates into individual suites, rather than the entire building.