Dual Fuel vs. All-Electric Heat Pump in BC
Heat Pumps · 7 min read · 2026-10-06
A dual-fuel system keeps a gas furnace as backup, while an all-electric heat pump relies on electric heating design and equipment selection.
Quick answer: If your home heats with an aging gas or propane furnace and has ductwork, a dual fuel system (heat pump plus new gas furnace) can qualify for FortisBC's dual fuel rebate starting October 15, 2026: up to $4,000, or up to $8,000 if income-qualified. If your home heats with electric baseboards or an electric furnace, an all-electric heat pump fits BC Hydro's rebate: up to $4,000 for whole home heating or up to $1,500 for partial home heating, with a limited-time bonus until October 31, 2026. Your current fuel decides which rebate you can use.
Updated October 13, 2026. Source: FortisBC Trade Ally program training (October 2026). FortisBC posts full program terms at fortisbc.com/rebates starting October 15, 2026. FortisBC makes all eligibility, funding and approval decisions, and amounts are maximums that can change.
The short version
| Dual fuel (heat pump + gas furnace) | All-electric heat pump | |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Homes heated by a gas or propane furnace at least 15 years old, with ductwork | Homes heated by electric baseboards or an electric furnace, or owners who want no gas |
| Main rebate | FortisBC dual fuel: up to $4,000 residential, up to $8,000 income-qualified, starting October 15, 2026 | BC Hydro: up to $4,000 whole home, up to $1,500 partial home heating |
| Limited-time extras | None announced | BC Hydro bonus of $1,000 whole home or $500 partial, for installs completed, invoiced and paid August 1 to October 31, 2026. Community top-ups in select postal codes. |
| Cold-day heat | Gas furnace takes over at or below 5°C | Cold-climate heat pump, with electric backup if the design calls for it |
| Cooling | Yes, from the heat pump | Yes |
| Ductwork | Central ducted system | Ducted or ductless |
| Contractor rule | HPCN member, DSMAlly commissioning | HPCN member |
| Home types | Not condos, apartments or vacation homes | Program rules vary by home type |
What a dual fuel system is
A dual fuel system pairs an electric air source heat pump with a high-efficiency gas furnace on the same ductwork and one set of controls. The heat pump heats your home when it's mild and cools it in summer. When the outdoor temperature falls to the switchover point, the furnace takes over. For FortisBC's rebate, that switchover must be set at or below 5°C in the Lower Mainland.
What an all-electric heat pump system is
An all-electric system uses a heat pump as the main heat source all winter. Cold-climate models keep producing heat well below freezing. Some designs add electric backup heat for the coldest hours. It can be central ducted, ductless mini-split or multi-split, which makes it a common choice for homes without ducts.
Why dual fuel suits many Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley homes
Our climate is mild for most of the heating season. Many winter hours sit above 5°C, which is where a heat pump runs well. A dual fuel system lets the heat pump carry that load, then hands off to the furnace during cold snaps and the outflow winds that hit the Fraser Valley. You keep the comfort of a furnace on the coldest nights and gain air conditioning for summer heat.
It also works with the house you have. Many homes in Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey, Langley, Abbotsford and Maple Ridge already have gas service and ductwork. A dual fuel system uses both. There's often no need for new duct runs or a major electrical upgrade that a fully electric system might call for, though every home needs its own load calculation and electrical check.
Why all-electric suits other homes
If your home heats with baseboards or an electric furnace, adding gas just for a backup furnace rarely makes sense. An all-electric heat pump replaces resistance heat with equipment that's up to three times more efficient, according to BC Hydro. It also qualifies for BC Hydro rebates, the limited-time bonus and, in select postal codes, BC Hydro's community-based top-up. Homeowners who want to drop gas service entirely also choose all-electric.
Rebates side by side
FortisBC dual fuel rebate (starting October 15, 2026)
| Rule | Residential (Home Renovation Rebate) | Income-qualified |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum rebate | Up to $4,000 | Up to $8,000 |
| Start date | Back in market starting October 15, 2026 | |
| Existing system | Natural gas furnace, or propane furnace where piped propane is supplied by FortisBC, a minimum of 15 years old. Insurance or warranty claims are not eligible. | |
| New system | Heat pump plus new high-efficiency gas furnace that replaces the existing furnace and is the primary source of heat. Must be an eligible system with an AHRI number listed on fortisbc.com/dualfuel. | |
| Venting | Installed with a two-pipe direct vent system, even where the manufacturer's instructions allow alternatives | |
| Switchover (Lower Mainland) | Outdoor switchover temperature control set per program requirements: at or below 5°C in the Lower Mainland | |
| Contractor | Licensed gas contractor in good standing with Technical Safety BC, a member in good standing of the Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN), listed in the HPCN directory as eligible for this rebate, and trained as FortisBC requires | |
| Load calculation | CAN/CSA F280-12 heat load calculation | |
| Commissioning | Done at the time of installation, with commissioning data submitted on site by the contractor through the DSMAlly mobile app | |
| Home types not eligible | Condos, apartments and vacation homes | |
| Extra income-qualified rules | Not applicable | Household income limits, home at least 10 years old, 3,500 sq ft or less, assessed value under $1.2 million, and only one property owned in BC |
| How to apply | Online at fortisbc.com within 6 months of the invoice date | |
| Processing | Typically about 90 days | |
BC Hydro heat pump rebate (electric to heat pump)
| Rebate | Whole home heating | Partial home heating |
|---|---|---|
| Standard BC Hydro rebate | Up to $4,000 | Up to $1,500 |
| Limited-time bonus (installed, invoiced and fully paid August 1 to October 31, 2026; apply by November 30, 2026; first-come, first-served) | $1,000 | $500 |
| Community-based top-up (select postal codes only) | $4,000 | $1,500 |
BC Hydro requires a Home Performance Contractor Network member for heat pump rebates. Full details: BC Hydro heat pump rebates and community-based offers.
Can you get both?
Generally no. Under the provincial program rules, a home can receive only one primary heating system rebate across the BC Hydro, FortisBC and CleanBC programs, and the FortisBC dual fuel program is on that list. Choose the system that fits your home, then the matching rebate. Other upgrades, such as insulation or windows, have their own rules.
How to choose: 9 questions
- What heats your home now? Gas or propane points to dual fuel. Electric points to all-electric.
- How old is the furnace? The dual fuel rebate needs a furnace at least 15 years old.
- Do you have ductwork in good shape? Dual fuel is a central ducted system. No ducts may point to ductless all-electric.
- What type of home is it? Condos, apartments and vacation homes aren't eligible for the dual fuel rebate.
- Do you want to keep gas service? If not, all-electric.
- How do you feel about cold snaps? Dual fuel hands off to gas at or below 5°C. All-electric relies on a cold-climate heat pump and any backup in the design.
- Is your electrical panel ready? An all-electric system may need more capacity. We check it during the visit.
- Which rebate fits your timing? BC Hydro's bonus ends October 31, 2026. FortisBC's dual fuel rebate starts October 15, 2026.
- What does the load calculation say? A CAN/CSA F280-12 calculation sizes either system correctly. Make the final choice from that, not from the old furnace size.
Comfort, cooling and noise
Both systems give you air conditioning. Both run quieter than older equipment when sized and installed well. Dual fuel delivers the warm air feel of a furnace on the coldest days. All-electric delivers steady, even heat. Ductless all-electric adds room-by-room control.
Maintenance
A dual fuel system has two pieces of equipment to maintain: the heat pump and the furnace. An all-electric system has one main unit, plus any backup heat. Either way, a yearly tune-up and regular filter changes keep efficiency up and protect your written warranty.
Three example homes
A 1990s Coquitlam two-storey with a 20-year-old gas furnace
The home has gas service and ductwork in fair shape. A dual fuel system keeps the gas line, adds cooling and lets the heat pump do most of the heating. The furnace is over 15 years old, so the FortisBC dual fuel rebate applies starting October 15, 2026, if the other rules are met.
A 1970s Burnaby bungalow with electric baseboards
There's no gas furnace to replace, and no ducts. A ductless all-electric heat pump is the natural fit, and BC Hydro's heat pump rebate applies. If the work is completed, invoiced and paid by October 31, 2026, the limited-time bonus may apply too.
A 2005 Surrey home with a 12-year-old furnace
The furnace is too new for the dual fuel rebate. The owner can add cooling now with a heat pump that works with the existing furnace, or plan a full dual fuel upgrade once the furnace reaches 15 years. We'll lay out both options.
Myths we hear
- "Heat pumps don't work in our winters." Modern heat pumps run well in Lower Mainland winters. Dual fuel adds a furnace for the coldest hours, and cold-climate models keep heating well below freezing.
- "I can get every rebate at once." Generally a home gets one primary heating system rebate across the BC Hydro, FortisBC and CleanBC programs.
- "Any heat pump and furnace combo qualifies." FortisBC requires an eligible system with an AHRI number listed on fortisbc.com/dualfuel, plus a two-pipe direct vent.
- "Condos qualify for dual fuel." Condos, apartments and vacation homes are not eligible.
Glossary
- Cold-climate heat pump: a heat pump designed to keep heating at low outdoor temperatures.
- Whole home heating (BC Hydro): a heat pump that meets 100% of the home's heating needs at minus 5°C.
- Partial home heating (BC Hydro): a heat pump that meets 50% or more of the home's heating needs.
- Switchover: the outdoor temperature where a dual fuel system moves from heat pump to furnace.
How we help you decide
We're a family-owned HPCN member and FortisBC Trade Ally serving the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. We install both dual fuel and all-electric systems, so we'll recommend the one that fits your home and rebate, not the one that's easier to sell. Our factory-trained techs run the load calculation, check your ducts and panel, and explain both options with no hidden fees.
Call 604-343-1985 or book online. Budget Heating & Plumbing Services is an HPCN member and a FortisBC Trade Ally, licensed, bonded and insured, with emergency service available.
Related: FortisBC dual fuel rebate starting Oct 15, 2026 · dual fuel eligibility checklist · dual fuel vs all-electric · BC Hydro heat pump rebate · rebate tool · heat pump services · heat pump installation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between dual fuel and an all-electric heat pump?
Dual fuel pairs a heat pump with a new gas furnace that takes over at or below 5°C. An all-electric system uses a heat pump as the main heat source all winter, with electric backup if the design calls for it.
Which rebate applies to a dual fuel system?
FortisBC's dual fuel rebate, starting October 15, 2026: up to $4,000 residential or up to $8,000 income-qualified, for replacing a gas or propane furnace at least 15 years old.
Which rebate applies to an all-electric heat pump?
If you're replacing electric heat, BC Hydro offers up to $4,000 for whole home heating or up to $1,500 for partial home heating, plus a limited-time bonus of $1,000 or $500 for installs completed, invoiced and paid by October 31, 2026.
Can I get the FortisBC and BC Hydro heat pump rebates together?
Generally no. A home can usually receive only one primary heating system rebate across BC Hydro, FortisBC and CleanBC programs.
Is dual fuel a good fit for the Lower Mainland?
For many homes with gas service, ductwork and an older furnace, yes. Our mild winters let the heat pump do most of the heating, with the furnace covering cold snaps.
Do I need ductwork for dual fuel?
Yes. Dual fuel is a central ducted system. Homes without ducts often suit a ductless all-electric heat pump.
Are condos eligible for the dual fuel rebate?
No. Condos, apartments and vacation homes are not eligible for FortisBC's dual fuel rebate.
Who installs qualifying systems?
An HPCN member. For dual fuel, the contractor also completes DSMAlly commissioning. Budget Heating & Plumbing Services is an HPCN member and a FortisBC Trade Ally.