CleanBC Better Homes Energy Savings Program: income-qualified rebates when replacing gas heating

The Energy Savings Program (ESP) is the income-qualified stream of CleanBC Better Homes. Rebates are larger than the standard Home Renovation Rebate Program amounts and are scaled by income level. For households heated with natural gas or propane, the published maximums are $13,000, $7,000 and $3,500 for a central ducted or 3-head multi-split heat pump at levels 1, 2 and 3; $11,000, $5,500 and $1,000 for a 2-head multi-split or two single-head mini-splits; and $5,500, $4,500 and $1,000 for a single-head mini-split.

The same table covers an air-to-water heat pump for space heating at $13,000, $7,000 and $3,500; a dual fuel ducted heat pump at $12,000, $5,000 and $3,000; a combined space and water heat pump at $16,500, $11,500 and $7,000; an electric service upgrade at $5,000, $3,500 and $1,500; and a heat pump water heater at $3,500 for all three levels. Health and safety measures pay $800 at levels 1 and 2, and ventilation pays $1,600 at levels 1 and 2, with no rebate at level 3.

Eligibility is based on the number of people living in the home and the combined pre-tax annual income of all adults, excluding dependants. The published maximum income for level 1 starts at $51,100 for one person and rises to $135,100 for seven or more; level 2 starts at $63,900 and rises to $168,900; level 3 starts at $102,100 and rises to $270,200. Level 3 rebates are only available for ground-oriented homes switching from natural gas, propane or oil space heating to an electric heat pump.

Property value caps also apply: for level 1 and 2 participants registering on or after April 1, 2026, the assessed value must be at or under $1,200,000; for level 3, at or under $1,820,000. The home must be a year-round primary residence in B.C. at least 12 months old and one of the eligible ground-oriented home types, including a single family home, an individually metered secondary suite, a permanently fixed mobile home, a duplex, triplex, row home or side-by-side townhome with its own meters. Condominiums, high-rises and apartment buildings are not eligible. Utility accounts must be in the name of the resident or homeowner, and renters need a landlord consent form.

The participant must pre-register and confirm eligibility before installing upgrades. Once approved, the program issues an eligibility code; for applications received on or after July 6, 2026, codes are valid for upgrades completed within three months of the approval date, after which the participant must re-apply. All upgrades must be purchased, supplied and installed by an ESP registered contractor, and self-installations are not eligible.

The contractor itemises the CleanBC rebate on the invoice and deducts it from the amount owed by the participant, then submits the rebate application and supporting documentation within six months of the invoice date. Participants may receive only one rebate payment for a primary heating system and one for a heat pump water heater across the listed federal, provincial and utility programs, so the same upgrade cannot be double-claimed.

Income verification is required for each household member over 18, excluding dependants, and must be dated within 12 months of the pre-registration date. Accepted documents include a Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment or Proof of Income Statement showing line 15000, verification of income or disability assistance, a Guaranteed Income Supplement notice, a SAFER or Rental Assistance Program letter, proof of ECAP participation or eligibility, or an endorsement form completed by a qualified professional.

For the heating conversion itself, the contractor's invoice must be itemised with the CleanBC rebate deducted, and proof of fossil fuel removal is required: either a local government permit or inspection report showing the inspection date and address, or an invoice from the removal or heat pump installation company describing the work and the date of removal. A CSA F280-12 heat load calculation may be requested to confirm the heat pump is adequately sized. If the home is rented, the registered property owner must complete the landlord consent form.

ESP does not pay for a new gas boiler. It pays for the conversion away from fossil fuel space heating, and the rules are explicit that homes converting from a fossil fuel furnace or boiler must remove the home's primary fossil fuel heating system. All fossil fuel heating equipment, piping, appliances, fuel containers, vents and associated infrastructure, must be removed in accordance with applicable laws.

Combination boilers get specific treatment. If the home's primary heating system is a fossil fuel combination boiler providing domestic hot water and hydronic space heating, the applicant must contact the program before proceeding to receive instructions and pre-approval on the removal of the hydronic space heating equipment. The new heat pump must be capable of distributing heat throughout all the conditioned space previously served by the primary heating system, and the back-up heating system must be electric or wood; a natural gas or propane fireplace may be retained only if it is a secondary heating system.

Pre-registration comes first, before any equipment is installed, and the eligibility code is time-limited to three months, so the project schedule has to fit inside the approval window. The registered contractor requirement applies to the purchase, supply and installation, and the rebate is settled through the contractor on the invoice. Because ESP rebates cannot be combined with the Home Renovation Rebate Program or other income-qualified programs for the same upgrade, the household should decide which stream it is using before signing a contract.

For a Greater Vancouver household weighing a boiler replacement, ESP is the strongest available incentive when the decision is to switch from gas to a heat pump, and the combination boiler pre-approval is the specific step that must not be missed. Eligibility and the level are confirmed at quote time against the current income table and program requirements.