By Tom Hackney

May 27, 2021

Part of the BC government’s climate action plan is a renewed effort to get owners to upgrade the energy efficiency of their buildings and switch their heating systems off fossil fuel (especially oil, but also natural gas) and onto electricity.

BCSEA strongly endorses this initiative. It’s one great way for individuals to contribute to climate action.

This is what Better Homes BC has to say about heat pumps:

Did you know that switching to a heat pump is good for your wallet and the planet?

Switching to an electric heat pump provides year-round comfort, better indoor air quality, and produces 97% less greenhouse gas emissions1 than natural gas or oil heating systems. Homeowners could save 40-75% of their annual heating bills2 if converting from oil heating to a heat pump.

A heat pump is two systems in one! A heat pump takes the place of both an air conditioner and a heating system, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

You can access up to $3,000 in rebates plus municipal top-ups and electrical service upgrade rebates when converting from a fossil fuel (oil, gas, propane) heating system to an electric heat pump.

Upgrading from electric baseboards or furnace? No problem! You can still access up to $2,000 for installing a heat pump.

For more information visit CleanBC Better Homes and check out the Rebate Search Tool to get started. If you have questions about specific rebate programs, home energy retrofit options, EnerGuide home evaluations, or if you just don’t know where to get started you can contact the free Energy Coach Service. Contact an Energy Coach at ask@betterhomesbc.ca or 1-844-881-9790.

Policy

Thursday, May 27, 2021