BC Heat Pump Costs
Is a heat pump worth it in BC?
It depends almost entirely on what you heat with now. From oil, propane, or electric baseboard, a heat pump pays back fast. From cheap BC natural gas, the running-cost payback alone is slow, so the case rests on rebates, comfort, and carbon.
The short answer
- From baseboard: ~$1,500/yr saved, strong payback, especially with rebates.
- From oil/propane: ~$2,000–$3,000+/yr saved, the fastest payback of all.
- From gas: ~$100/yr saved, running cost alone won't justify it; rebates and AC do.
- Rebates can cut the install by $5,000–$16,000+ depending on your bucket, they move the payback more than anything.
Payback is just two numbers
Payback (in years) = net install cost ÷ annual savings. "Net" means after rebates, which is where most of the leverage is. So the worth-it question really has three inputs: your current fuel (sets the savings), the install price, and which rebate stream you qualify for.
Annual savings by current fuel
For a typical 2,000 ft² coastal home (~18,000 kWh of heat/year):
| Switching from | Approx. annual saving |
|---|---|
| Electric baseboard | ~$1,500 |
| Heating oil | ~$3,000+ |
| Propane | ~$1,500–$2,500 |
| Natural gas | ~$100 |
Rebates do the heavy lifting
A $12,000 install that nets to $6,000 after rebates pays back twice as fast. The trouble is figuring out which BC rebate stream applies to you, they changed significantly in 2025, and most online guides are out of date. See the 2026 rebate breakdown →
Don't forget the non-bill value
- Cooling. One system for winter heat and summer AC.
- Carbon. A large cut to home emissions.
- Resale & comfort. Even, quiet heat and a modern, electrified home.
Bottom line
From oil, propane, or baseboard: usually worth it on cost alone. From gas: worth it for comfort, cooling, carbon, and the rebate, not the bill. Run your own numbers in the free calculator, then let the paid kit nail down your net cost and payback.