FortisBC Dual Fuel Rebate 2026: Eligibility Checklist

Quick answer: You likely qualify for the FortisBC dual fuel rebate, starting October 15, 2026, if your home is detached or ground-oriented, your gas or propane furnace is at least 15 years old, and you install a matched heat pump and new high-efficiency furnace through an HPCN contractor who sets the switchover at or below 5°C and submits commissioning data through DSMAlly at installation. The residential path pays up to $4,000. The income-qualified path pays up to $8,000 if you also meet the income and home rules. Use the checklist below before you order equipment.

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.

How to use this checklist

Work through each section in order. If you answer "no" to any item in the first three sections, the dual fuel rebate probably isn't a fit yet, and we'll point you to the program that is. This checklist helps you plan. It isn't an approval. FortisBC reviews every application and makes the final decision.

Section 1: Your home

• Is the home detached or ground-oriented? Condos, apartments and vacation homes are not eligible.
• Is it your home, not a seasonal or vacation property?
• Do you have a FortisBC natural gas account, or does the furnace run on propane?
• Does the home have ductwork, or room to add it? Dual fuel systems are central ducted systems.

Section 2: Your existing furnace

• Is the furnace at least 15 years old? Check the rating plate inside the furnace door for the manufacture date, or your original install records.
• Is it the primary heat source for the home?
• Is it a natural gas furnace, or a propane furnace on piped propane supplied by FortisBC?
• Is the replacement separate from any insurance or warranty claim? Those aren't eligible.

Not sure how old your furnace is? Send us a photo of the rating plate when you book, and we'll read the date for you.

Section 3: The new system

• A central ducted air source heat pump plus a new high-efficiency gas furnace
• An eligible system with an AHRI number listed on fortisbc.com/dualfuel
• A two-pipe direct vent for the furnace
• The new system replaces the existing furnace and becomes the primary source of heat
• One set of controls that runs the heat pump and furnace as a single system
• Switchover set at or below 5°C for the Lower Mainland
• Sized from a CAN/CSA F280-12 heat load calculation, not from the old furnace's size

Section 4: Your contractor

• A Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN) member
• Licensed for gas work, and pulls the required permits
• Completes commissioning through DSMAlly and gives you confirmation
• Is listed in the HPCN directory as eligible for this rebate, in good standing with Technical Safety BC, and trained as FortisBC requires
• Puts the AHRI number and model numbers on your quote and invoice

Budget Heating & Plumbing Services is an HPCN member and a FortisBC Trade Ally. We check every item in this section for you.

Section 5: Income-qualified path (up to $8,000)

If your household may meet FortisBC's income limits, check these extra rules from the program training:

• Household income at or under FortisBC's limit for your household size, with proof of income
• The home is at least 10 years old
• The home is 3,500 sq ft or less
• The assessed value is under $1.2 million
• You own only one property in BC

FortisBC publishes the income table and checks your documents. Confirm your income level with FortisBC before you count on the $8,000 maximum. If you don't meet these rules, the residential path (up to $4,000) may still apply.

Every eligibility rule at a glance

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

Section 6: Paperwork and timing

• Apply online at fortisbc.com within 6 months of the invoice date.
• Keep the paid invoice with model numbers, the AHRI number, the load calculation summary and DSMAlly commissioning confirmation.
• Expect processing to take about 90 days.
• The rebate can't exceed the paid cost of the work.

Who doesn't qualify, and what to do instead

Your situation	Dual fuel rebate?	What to look at
Condo, apartment or vacation home	No	Ask us about ductless options and condo programs
Furnace under 15 years old	Not yet	Plan ahead, and keep the furnace maintained
Home heated by electric baseboards or an electric furnace	No	BC Hydro heat pump rebates (guide)
Want to go fully electric	No	All-electric heat pump programs (compare)
Switchover set above 5°C	No	Have the setting corrected before commissioning

Your 9-step eligibility walkthrough

1. Confirm your home is detached or ground-oriented and is your home.
2. Read the furnace rating plate and confirm it's at least 15 years old.
3. Confirm it's a natural gas furnace, or propane on piped propane supplied by FortisBC, and not an insurance or warranty claim.
4. Decide on the residential or income-qualified path, and gather proof of income if you're checking the second.
5. Book a visit with an HPCN contractor.
6. Get the CAN/CSA F280-12 load calculation done.
7. Approve a quote that shows an AHRI number listed on fortisbc.com/dualfuel, a two-pipe direct vent and a switchover at or below 5°C.
8. Have the system installed with permits and commissioned at installation, with data submitted through DSMAlly.
9. Apply at fortisbc.com within 6 months of the invoice, and allow about 90 days for processing.

Questions to ask any contractor before you sign

• Are you a licensed gas contractor in good standing with Technical Safety BC, and an HPCN member listed as eligible for this rebate?
• Is this system's AHRI number listed on fortisbc.com/dualfuel?
• Will you install a two-pipe direct vent?
• Will you do a CAN/CSA F280-12 load calculation?
• What switchover temperature will you set?
• Will you complete DSMAlly commissioning and send me the confirmation?
• Will the invoice show model numbers and the install address?

Program overlap

Under the provincial program rules, a home can generally receive only one primary heating system rebate across BC Hydro, FortisBC and CleanBC programs, and the FortisBC dual fuel program is on that list. Plan your heating rebate first, then look at insulation, windows or water heating rebates under their own rules. Our rebate tool helps you sort it out.

How to read your furnace's age

Open the furnace's front panel and find the rating plate, a metal or paper label with the model and serial numbers. Many manufacturers code the build year into the serial number, often in the first four digits as year and week, though the pattern varies by brand. Some plates print the manufacture date directly. If the label is missing or faded, your original install invoice, a permit record or a past service sticker can show the date. When in doubt, send us a photo and we'll read it.

Checking your ductwork before you plan

A heat pump moves more air than many older furnaces were set up for. Undersized returns, crushed flex duct or leaky joints can cut performance and comfort. During the visit we check return and supply sizing, static pressure and the condition of the ducts, and we tell you if any changes are needed before the matched system goes in. Duct fixes are part of planning, not a surprise after the install.

Electrical check

A dual fuel system adds an outdoor heat pump circuit. Most homes with a 100 to 200 amp panel have room, but not all. We check panel capacity and space during the visit so there are no delays on install day.

Printable checklist summary

• Detached or ground-oriented home, not a condo, apartment or vacation home
• Gas or propane furnace, at least 15 years old, on FortisBC
• Licensed gas contractor, in good standing with Technical Safety BC, HPCN member listed as eligible for this rebate
• Two-pipe direct vent
• CAN/CSA F280-12 load calculation
• AHRI number listed on fortisbc.com/dualfuel
• Switchover at or below 5°C
• DSMAlly commissioning confirmation
• Paid invoice with model numbers
• Apply at fortisbc.com within 6 months of the invoice
• Income-qualified only: proof of income, home 10+ years old, 3,500 sq ft or less, assessed under $1.2 million, one BC property

Get your eligibility checked

We're a family-owned HPCN member and FortisBC Trade Ally serving the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, with factory-trained techs, a written warranty and no hidden fees. We'll check your furnace age, home type and ductwork, run the load calculation and tell you which path fits before you commit.

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