The following is an announcement from the Green Building team at the City of Vancouver regarding heat pumps in low-rise housing applications.
To achieve climate targets, the City of Vancouver is seeking to accelerate heat pump adoption for space heating and hot water in both new and existing buildings. The City is supporting this transition in a number of ways, including:
- New low-rise housing requirements starting January 1, 2022
For Building Permit applications after January 1 2022, all new 1-3 storey residential buildings (including single family) will require low emissions heating and hot water equipment. This effectively means electric-based products such as heat pumps. Secondary fossil fuel (i.e. gas) systems such as cooking and fireplaces are still permitted. - Bulletin – Heat Pumps in Single Family Dwellings
- You can find it at vancouver.ca/heat-pumps under ‘Step 2’, or here
- The intent with this bulletin is to provide a streamlined permit application (i.e. online trades permits only) if your installation meets a set of criteria
- Similar guidance for larger (Part 3) building applications is in development
- Neighborly Noise Installation Guide
- Intended for both homeowners and contractors, this 2-page guide provides guidance on outdoor unit placement to minimize issues with noise and neighbors
- Up to a $14,000 rebates available from the Province and Federal grant programs
- While the ‘double the rebate’ offer is now closed, the City still offers a $6,000 top-up for full fuel switching, in addition to CleanBC’s $3,000 rebate.
- More information on available rebates in Vancouver can be found at BetterHomesBC.ca
- Up to $5,000 additional rebate is available from the Federal Greener Homes Grant for select heat pump products.
More information about the goals and actions to reduce emissions can be found in the Climate Emergency Action Plan.