Almost every lost rebate we’ve seen came down to order: the work was done first and the rules were checked afterwards. Here’s the order that works.
Step 1: Check eligibility before you buy anything
- Is the program open, and does your install date fall inside its window? (The FortisBC dual fuel rebate only covers installs on or after October 15, 2026.)
- What are you replacing? Fuel type and equipment age decide most rebates (e.g. a gas furnace at least 15 years old for dual fuel).
- Is the home your primary residence, and are you the FortisBC account holder?
- Could your household be income-qualified? Check the income table; the amounts are much higher.
Step 2: Get pre-approval if the program requires it
The CleanBC Energy Savings Program requires an eligibility code before work starts. FortisBC income-qualified rebates recommend a pre-qualification code.
Step 3: Choose a qualifying contractor
Most heat pump and dual fuel rebates require a member of the Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN) who is listed for the specific rebate at the time of installation. For anything involving gas, the contractor must also hold a Technical Safety BC gas contractor licence. Check both yourself. It takes two minutes, and it’s the single biggest reason claims are refused.
Step 4: Install, permit and commission
- The equipment must be on the program’s qualifying list. For dual fuel, the AHRI reference must cover the outdoor unit, indoor unit and furnace.
- A program-approved heat load calculation is required for heat pumps.
- Gas work needs a TSBC permit.
- For dual fuel, the contractor submits commissioning through the DSMAlly app with photos of the old and new systems on installation day.
Step 5: Apply and track your rebate
The homeowner applies, not the contractor. Submit online within the deadline (6 months from the paid invoice for most FortisBC rebates). FortisBC quotes up to 90 days for processing. Keep copies of everything.
Document checklist
- Paid, itemized invoice showing make, model and serial numbers, and the installer’s company name and licence.
- AHRI certificate or reference number for the installed system.
- Photos of the old equipment’s rating plate (proves age) and of the new installation.
- Gas permit number (for gas work) and heat load calculation.
- Your FortisBC account number.
- Pre-approval or eligibility code, if your program uses one.
- For income-qualified rebates: CRA Notices of Assessment for every adult.
Five mistakes that cost homeowners their rebate
- Buying first and checking eligibility after.
- Hiring an installer who isn’t HPCN-listed for that specific rebate.
- Throwing out the old furnace before it’s photographed.
- Installing a model that isn’t on the qualifying list, or with the wrong switchover setting.
- Missing the application window.
How CANRO helps with the rebate application
CANRO has worked on gas heating in Metro Vancouver homes since 1999, and our founder George is known for boilers and hydronic heating, the systems other companies often won’t touch. When you call, we start with the questions that decide eligibility: how old is the existing equipment, what fuel heats the home, is it your primary residence, and does any part of the household qualify for income-tested rebates.
Then we tell you plainly which rebate fits, what it should pay, and what has to happen before the install. If a program needs an HPCN-listed contractor, we tell you how to verify any installer (including us) on the HPCN directory before you book. Call (604) 359-1081 or email info@canroheat.ca.