British Columbia homeowners replacing an older gas or propane furnace now have a new heating option with FortisBC rebates of up to $8,000.
The new dual fuel heating rebates support systems combining an electric heat pump with a new high-efficiency gas furnace.
For many B.C. homes, that means efficient electric heating and air conditioning through much of the year, with a gas furnace available when outdoor temperatures fall below the system’s configured changeover point.
There are two rebate levels:
- Up to $4,000 through FortisBC’s standard dual fuel rebate.
- Up to $8,000 for eligible income-qualified households.
The rebates apply to qualifying installations completed on or after October 15, 2026.
What Is a Dual Fuel Heating System?
A dual fuel system combines two pieces of equipment:
- An electric central heat pump
- A high-efficiency gas furnace
The heat pump provides both heating and air conditioning.
During normal conditions, the heat pump serves as the primary heating system. When outdoor temperatures reach the programmed changeover point, the gas furnace takes over.
This setup gives homeowners another option when replacing an older gas furnace, especially when the home already has central ductwork.
Unlike a ductless mini-split, a qualifying FortisBC dual fuel system uses a central ducted air-source heat pump integrated with a compatible gas furnace.
If you are comparing central heating options, learn more about Greenfoot’s heat pump and HVAC services or explore our British Columbia locations.
How Much Is the FortisBC Dual Fuel Rebate?
Standard Dual Fuel Rebate: Up to $4,000
Eligible FortisBC residential gas customers may receive up to $4,000 toward a qualifying dual fuel heating system.
FortisBC also lists a $300 two-upgrade bonus when an eligible dual fuel system is installed along with another qualifying Home Renovation Rebate upgrade. This bonus has its own conditions and is not a second rebate on the same installation.
View the official FortisBC $4,000 dual fuel rebate details.
Income-Qualified Dual Fuel Rebate: Up to $8,000
Income-qualified FortisBC customers may receive up to $8,000 toward the same type of eligible dual fuel heating and cooling system.
Income-qualified customers may also qualify for a $350 two-upgrade bonus when they complete two eligible upgrades. Bonus-eligible upgrades must be completed within 18 months of each other. Each appliance type counts only once. Applications must meet the six-month deadline for the individual upgrades.
View the official FortisBC income-qualified dual fuel rebate.
Who Qualifies for the $4,000 Rebate?
The standard rebate has several important requirements.
Your home must:
- Have a residential FortisBC natural gas account, or an eligible FortisBC piped propane account in Revelstoke.
- Be your year-round primary residence.
- Be at least 12 months old.
- Be an eligible residential property type, such as a detached home, duplex, triplex, row home, townhouse or mobile home on a permanent foundation.
Your existing gas furnace must also serve as the primary heating system and be at least 15 years old.
New construction, additions, garage upgrades, warranty replacements and insurance replacements do not qualify under the published rules. Replacing an existing dual fuel system does not qualify either.
Who Qualifies for the $8,000 Income-Qualified Rebate?
The income-qualified program has additional requirements.
The registered homeowner must have one active residential FortisBC gas account at the primary residence and own only one property in British Columbia. Registered homeowners must be listed on the active account. Eligible propane customers receive FortisBC piped propane in Revelstoke.
The home must:
- Be at least 10 years old.
- Be 3,500 square feet or smaller.
- Have an assessed property value below $1.2 million for the most recent assessment year.
- Meet FortisBC’s eligible residential property requirements.
Your combined annual household income must also fall below the limit for your household size.
| Household Size | Maximum Household Income |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $51,100 |
| 2 people | $63,600 |
| 3 people | $78,200 |
| 4 people | $94,900 |
| 5 people | $107,600 |
| 6 people | $121,400 |
| 7+ people | $135,100 |
Proof of household income is required when applying.
What Equipment Qualifies?
You cannot install any heat pump and furnace combination and assume the rebate applies.
The system must use an eligible central ducted air-source heat pump paired with a compatible high-efficiency gas furnace.
The gas furnace must operate at 95% efficiency or higher.
The qualifying heat pump must meet FortisBC’s published efficiency requirements and have a minimum capacity of 12,000 BTU, or one tonne. The efficiency thresholds are SEER of at least 16 and Region IV HSPF of at least 10.00, or SEER2 of at least 15.20 and Region IV HSPF2 of at least 8.50.
The complete heat pump, indoor unit and furnace combination must also appear on the program’s Qualified Dual Fuel Systems List, with the matching AHRI certified reference number.
This is worth checking before equipment is purchased.
How Must the Heat Pump Be Sized?
FortisBC is not accepting rule-of-thumb sizing for this rebate.
A program-approved heat-load calculation is required.
This determines how much heating your home needs and helps match the heat pump to the building rather than choosing equipment based only on square footage.
The heat pump also needs enough capacity to function as the home’s primary heating system and serve the main living area. Its capacity must meet the home’s heating demand at or below the region-specific outdoor changeover temperature.
That is an important part of the rebate.
This is not a program designed around installing a small heat pump beside a furnace and calling the combination dual fuel.
The heat pump needs to carry a meaningful share of the home’s heating load.
How Does the Heat Pump Know When to Switch to Gas?
A connected thermostat or compatible system control handles the changeover between the electric heat pump and gas furnace.
FortisBC sets maximum outdoor changeover temperatures based on the region.
- Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island: 5°C or lower
- Southern Interior and northern B.C.: 2°C or lower
These settings must be maintained for the lifetime of the equipment.
The heat pump therefore remains the primary heat source through a significant portion of the heating season before the furnace takes over.
The connected thermostat must be installed with the new dual fuel system by the licensed contractor.
Who Must Install the System for This Rebate?
The installation must be completed by a Technical Safety BC licensed gas contractor who is also a member in good standing of the Home Performance Contractor Network and listed for the applicable rebate at the time of installation.
Greenfoot serves homeowners throughout B.C. with local teams in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Interior.
If you are considering this rebate, connect with Greenfoot Energy in British Columbia before purchasing equipment so the proposed system, sizing and installation path can be reviewed first.
What Paperwork Does the Rebate Require?
FortisBC requires commissioning information as part of the rebate.
Your contractor needs to complete the Dual Fuel Heating System Pre-Changeout and Commissioning Sheet, submit the required commissioning data on site through the DSMAlly mobile application at the time of installation, and take the required photographs during the installation.
Those photos matter.
FortisBC states that required installation photos must accompany the other information on installation day and cannot be submitted after the fact.
The homeowner also needs a detailed paid invoice containing the required equipment, permit and contractor information.
The homeowner submits the rebate application to FortisBC with the required documents. Greenfoot walks you through the process and explains the steps, without guaranteeing rebate approval.
Can You Combine This With Other Rebates?
Not by adding another rebate to the same dual fuel system.
This is one detail homeowners should understand before comparing incentives.
FortisBC states that both dual fuel rebates cannot be combined with other FortisBC, provincial or federally funded rebate programs.
If you have already applied for or received another rebate, check your eligibility with FortisBC before proceeding.
The two-upgrade bonuses are separate incentives for additional eligible work, not a second rebate on the same system. The official income-qualified bonus page lists dual fuel systems among eligible upgrades. Confirm the conditions for your planned upgrades with FortisBC before counting on a bonus.
That makes rebate planning important before work begins. The $4,000 and $8,000 figures in this article exclude any bonus.
The largest advertised rebate is not always automatically the best route for every home. Compare the programs your project qualifies for before choosing one.
When Does the New FortisBC Dual Fuel Rebate Start?
The rebate applies to eligible installations completed on or after October 15, 2026.
Installations completed before October 15 do not qualify under the published program rules.
Applications must be submitted within six months of the invoice date. The standard program page specifies the paid invoice date.
FortisBC notes that applications may take up to 90 days to process.
Is a Dual Fuel System Right for Your B.C. Home?
A dual fuel system makes the most sense when you already have central ductwork and an aging gas furnace that needs replacement.
Instead of replacing the furnace with another furnace alone, you add a central heat pump and new high-efficiency furnace as one integrated system.
You gain efficient electric heating through much of the year, central air conditioning during summer, and gas backup when the system reaches its programmed outdoor changeover temperature.
The rebate makes the option more interesting for homeowners already approaching a furnace replacement.
The important part is checking eligibility before ordering equipment.
FortisBC Dual Fuel Rebate FAQs
How much is the new FortisBC dual fuel rebate?
The standard rebate provides up to $4,000. Income-qualified households may receive up to $8,000.
When does the FortisBC dual fuel rebate start?
Eligible installations must be completed on or after October 15, 2026.
What is a dual fuel heat pump system?
A dual fuel system combines a central electric heat pump with a compatible high-efficiency gas furnace. The heat pump provides heating and cooling, while the gas furnace takes over when outdoor temperatures reach the configured changeover point.
Does my old furnace need to be a certain age?
Yes. The existing gas furnace being replaced must be at least 15 years old and serve as the home’s primary heating system.
Does the new furnace need to meet an efficiency requirement?
Yes. FortisBC specifies a gas furnace operating at 95% efficiency or higher.
Can I combine the $4,000 or $8,000 rebate with other government rebates?
No. FortisBC states that the dual fuel rebate cannot be combined with other FortisBC, provincial or federally funded rebate programs. Separate two-upgrade bonuses have their own conditions for additional eligible work. Confirm eligibility with FortisBC before counting on a bonus.
Do I need a heat-load calculation?
Yes. FortisBC requires an approved heat-load calculation. Rule-of-thumb system sizing does not qualify.
Does any heat pump qualify?
No. The complete heat pump and furnace combination needs to appear on the Qualified Dual Fuel Systems List and meet the program’s efficiency and installation requirements.
Thinking About Replacing an Older Gas Furnace?
If your furnace is approaching 15 years old, this rebate gives you another option to consider before replacing it with another furnace alone.
Greenfoot installs central heat pump and HVAC systems across British Columbia, with local teams serving the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, the Okanagan and Thompson regions.