Fortis Rebates Furnace Guide 2025: Who Qualifies and How to Maximize Your Savings

If you're considering replacing or upgrading your furnace in 2025, you’ve likely come across FortisBC rebates. But if you're like most homeowners, you're probably confused about who qualifies, how much you can get back, and what kind of system you actually need to install.

This guide is your no-fluff, ultra-clear breakdown of every Fortis rebates furnace program available in BC right now. We'll walk you through three main rebate programs offered in 2025:

  1. The Wall Furnace Rebate
  2. The Dual Fuel Heating System Rebate
  3. The Income-Qualified Dual Fuel Rebate

We’ll also give real-life examples of homeowners who would and wouldn’t qualify, so you can see where you stand and avoid wasting time or money.

Fortis BC Furnace Rebate

1. FortisBC Wall Furnace Rebate (Up to $1,200)

The Wall Furnace Rebate is designed for smaller spaces or homes that can’t easily install full central heating systems. If you install a new direct vent natural gas wall furnace, you can receive:

  • A $1,000 rebate for installing the wall furnace
  • An additional $200 bonus rebate if you get pre-qualified before December 31, 2025, and install by March 31, 2026

Optional Add-ons:

  • Up to $800 more if you also install an eligible natural gas hot water heater
  • An extra $250 if you install an eligible natural gas fireplace

What is a Wall Furnace?

A wall furnace, also called a direct vent room heater, is a compact heating unit installed on a wall. It’s great for heating small, specific areas like:

  • Garages
  • Basements
  • Workshops
  • Cabins
  • Laneway homes
  • Apartments or condos without existing ductwork

Who Qualifies for the Wall Furnace Rebate?

This rebate is only for new FortisBC gas customers in existing homes. That means your home has to switch to gas for the first time, and you must have:

  • Requested a new FortisBC gas service line
  • Entered a gas service agreement within six months before the install
  • Installed the furnace before March 31, 2026
  • Applied for the rebate within 90 days of the paid invoice date

Real-World Examples

Eligible:

  • Maria owns a 1970s cabin in Squamish with no central heating. She’s switching from electric baseboard heaters and has just connected her home to FortisBC gas service. She installs a wall furnace in January 2025, gets her pre-qualification code, and sends in her rebate application with a paid invoice. Maria qualifies for the full $1,200 rebate.

Not Eligible:

  • Dan already uses a gas furnace and wants to upgrade to a wall furnace for his garage. Because he’s already a FortisBC gas customer and isn’t installing in a primary living space, he won’t qualify for this rebate.

Also Not Eligible:

  • A developer building a brand-new laneway home wants to add a wall furnace. This is considered new construction, which is not eligible for this rebate.

2. Dual Fuel Heating System Rebate (Up to $10,000 + Bonuses)

The Dual Fuel Heating System Rebate is ideal for homeowners looking to replace an old gas furnace with a combo system that includes:

  • A high-efficiency gas furnace (95% efficiency or more)
  • An electric heat pump (must meet FortisBC specs)
  • A connected smart thermostat that can switch between systems based on outdoor temperature

This system provides heating and cooling year-round. The electric heat pump handles mild temperatures efficiently, and the gas furnace kicks in when it gets really cold.

Rebate Breakdown

  • Base rebate: $10,000
  • Two-upgrade bonus: $300 if you combine this with another eligible home upgrade
  • Connected thermostat rebate: $150
  • Northern top-up: Additional $3,000 if your home is located north of 100 Mile House

Note: The Kelowna top-up of $2,000 is no longer available as of early 2025.

Key System Requirements

To qualify, your dual fuel system must meet specific performance standards:

  • SEER ≥ 16 and HSPF (Region IV) ≥ 10.00 OR
  • SEER2 ≥ 15.20 and HSPF2 (Region IV) ≥ 8.50
  • Must have a minimum capacity of 12,000 BTU
  • Must be installed by a Technical Safety BC licensed contractor
  • Must be part of the Home Performance Contractor Network

Who Should Consider This Rebate?

  • Homeowners replacing an aging gas furnace
  • People looking to lower energy use and carbon emissions
  • Homes with moderate-to-large square footage
  • Those wanting both heating and air conditioning in one install

Real-World Examples

Eligible:

  • Greg lives in Chilliwack and has a 25-year-old gas furnace. He replaces it with a dual fuel system in summer 2025, installs a smart thermostat, and pairs it with upgraded attic insulation. He qualifies for the $10,000 rebate, the $300 two-upgrade bonus, and the $150 thermostat rebate — a total of $10,450.

Not Eligible:

  • Emma buys a heat pump only and keeps her old furnace as a backup. Without a new high-efficiency furnace installed at the same time, she won’t qualify for the dual fuel rebate.

Also Not Eligible:

  • Mark installs the system himself to save money. Because the system must be installed by an approved contractor, DIY installations do not qualify.

3. Income-Qualified Dual Fuel Rebate (Up to $15,000)

This rebate is for lower-income households who want to replace their gas furnace with an efficient dual fuel system. It includes a larger rebate and higher thermostat bonus than the standard version.

Rebate Breakdown

  • Base rebate: $15,000
  • Two-upgrade bonus: $350 if paired with another eligible home upgrade
  • Connected thermostat rebate: $200
  • Northern top-up: Additional $3,000 (same regional restriction as above)

Key Requirements

  • The same system performance standards apply as the regular dual fuel rebate
  • You must install a connected thermostat that automatically switches between heat sources
  • You need to provide proof of income for each adult in the household
  • You must apply within one year of the installation invoice date

Proof of Income Options

Acceptable documents include:

  • CRA Notice of Assessment (line 15000 shows income)
  • Social Assistance documents
  • SAFER or Rental Assistance letters
  • National Child Benefit Supplement statements
  • GIS notices (for seniors)

Real-World Examples

Eligible:

  • Linda, a single mother of two in Prince George, receives SAFER assistance and has a total household income under $50,000. She installs a dual fuel system and new insulation in her attic. She qualifies for the $15,000 rebate, the $350 two-upgrade bonus, the $200 thermostat rebate, and the $3,000 northern top-up — a total of $18,550 in rebates.

Not Eligible:

  • Steve earns $80,000 a year and tries to apply for the income-qualified program. Even if his house and installation meet all the system requirements, his income is too high to qualify for this version of the rebate. He may still qualify under the standard Dual Fuel Rebate but not the income-qualified version.

Also Not Eligible:

  • Rachel qualifies by income but only replaces her heat pump and not the furnace. Without installing both parts of the dual fuel system, she doesn’t meet eligibility.

Final Tips for Getting the Most from Fortis Furnace Rebates

  • Get pre-qualified early – Especially for the bonus rebates that have a limited number of codes
  • Use a licensed contractor – Unlicensed or DIY installs will void your eligibility
  • Keep every document – You’ll need detailed invoices, permits, product specs, and photos
  • Submit your application on time – Don’t miss the deadline (90 days or 1 year depending on the program)

If you're planning a heating upgrade in 2025, these Fortis rebates furnace programs can save you thousands—if you qualify and follow the steps correctly. Take the time to assess your home, your budget, and your eligibility, and you could dramatically cut your installation costs while improving your home’s comfort and efficiency.

Have questions or not sure which rebate you're eligible for? Reach out to a qualified FortisBC contractor or check the eligibility tools on their website before starting your project.