If your furnace was installed before 2012, this is probably the most valuable rebate available to your home today. A dual fuel system pairs a central heat pump with a new high-efficiency gas furnace: the heat pump heats and cools most of the year, and the furnace takes over when it gets truly cold. FortisBC brought the rebate back on October 15, 2026 with tighter rules than the previous version.
Rebate amounts at a glance
| Stream | Maximum rebate | Two-upgrade bonus | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | Up to $4,000 | $300 | FortisBC residential natural gas customers |
| Income-qualified | Up to $8,000 | $350 | Households under the income limits (e.g. 4 people ≤ $94,900) |
The earlier version of this rebate (from May 2025) paid up to $5,000 for the residential stream, so if you were quoted that figure, it no longer applies to new installs.
Who qualifies: the full checklist
- You are replacing an existing gas furnace that is at least 15 years old and is the home’s primary heating system. Warranty or insurance replacements don’t qualify.
- The new equipment is a qualifying dual fuel heating system with an AHRI certified reference number that covers the heat pump’s outdoor unit, the indoor unit and the furnace model number, and appears on FortisBC’s qualified dual fuel systems list.
- The system is set to the maximum switchover temperature for your region: 5°C or lower on Vancouver Island and in the Lower Mainland, and 2°C or lower in the Southern Interior and Northern BC.
- It is installed by a Technical Safety BC licensed gas contractor who is a member in good standing of the Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN) and listed on the HPCN for this rebate at the time of installation. Contractors must complete mandatory HPCN rebate training to be listed.
- The system is installed after October 15, 2026. Installs before that date fall under different (closed) rules.
- A connected thermostat is part of the system, and a program-approved heat load calculation is completed.
- The home is a year-round primary residence, at least 12 months old, with a FortisBC residential account.
Extra requirements for the $8,000 income-qualified stream
- Combined household income at or below the limit for your household size (1 person $51,100 · 2 $63,600 · 3 $78,200 · 4 $94,900 · 5 $107,600 · 6 $121,400 · 7+ $135,100).
- The home is at least 10 years old, no larger than 3,500 sq ft, with an assessed value under $1.2 million, and it is the only property you own in BC.
- Proof of income for every household member over 18. Some homes get a verification site visit.
- One rebate per home, and it can’t be combined with other FortisBC, provincial or federal rebates for the same system.
See all income-qualified rebates, including the water heater, thermostat, ventilation, insulation and window rebates that also came back on October 15.
What your contractor must submit
The customer applies for the rebate, but the contractor’s paperwork has to be right first. FortisBC’s notice to its Trade Ally Network asks contractors to:
- Submit commissioning information through the DSMAlly mobile commissioning app on site.
- Upload photos of the old and the new heating systems through the app. Photos can’t be added afterwards, so the old furnace has to be photographed before it leaves your home.
- Give you every document the program needs (invoice, AHRI certificate, model and serial numbers).
- Meet every deadline.
How to apply, step by step
- Confirm eligibility first. Check your furnace’s manufacture date on its rating plate. If you may be income-qualified, request a pre-qualification code before work starts.
- Choose an HPCN-listed gas contractor. Search the HPCN directory and confirm they are listed for the dual fuel rebate.
- Get a quote for a qualifying system. Ask for the AHRI reference number in writing and check it covers outdoor unit, indoor unit and furnace.
- Install, commission and photograph. The contractor submits DSMAlly commissioning with old/new photos.
- Apply online within 6 months of the paid invoice date. FortisBC says processing can take up to 90 days.
How BC Wide helps with the dual fuel rebate
BC Wide’s own TSBC-licensed gas fitters and Red Seal technicians install and service furnaces, heat pumps and dual fuel systems across Greater Vancouver, never subcontractors. That matters for rebates: the person filling in commissioning data is the person who installed your system, so details match the paperwork.
Phone or email us with your furnace age, home size and city. We’ll confirm which rebate fits, give you a free written estimate for qualifying equipment, and explain how to check any contractor’s listing on the HPCN directory. We answer (604) 473-9690 seven days a week, or write to info@bcwide.ca.
Is dual fuel right for your home?
Dual fuel makes the most sense in ducted homes with a gas furnace near the end of its life, especially if you want summer cooling. If your ductwork is undersized or your furnace is under 15 years old, we’ll tell you honestly whether to wait or which other upgrade fits. See heat pump rebates to compare.