The heat pump installation process in Greater Victoria runs in three phases: planning (site visit, sizing, rebate pre-registration), paperwork (permits from Technical Safety BC), and install day itself, finished by commissioning and the rebate application. Below is each step in order, the permits that actually apply to a house in BC, and what to check before the crew leaves.
Heat pump installation process: the steps in order
- Site visit and heat load. The installer measures rooms, windows and insulation, looks at your panel, and picks indoor and outdoor unit locations. Sizing should come from a heat loss calculation, not a guess from square footage.
- Written quote and rebate route. The quote should name the exact outdoor and indoor models, the work included, and which rebate you are aiming for. This matters before anything is installed (see the rebate timing section below).
- Rebate pre-registration, if income-qualified. The Energy Savings Program requires you to pre-register and receive an eligibility code before any work starts.
- Permits. Your contractor applies for the electrical permit, and a gas permit if a gas furnace or boiler is being removed or modified.
- Equipment and scheduling. Equipment is ordered and the install booked.
- Install day(s). Outdoor unit, indoor units or air handler, line sets, condensate, electrical.
- Vacuum, charge and commissioning. The refrigerant circuit is tested, evacuated and charged, then the system is started and checked.
- Walkthrough, inspection and rebate paperwork. You learn the controls, the permit is closed out, and the rebate application goes in.
What permits do you need for a heat pump in BC?
Technical Safety BC sets three possible permits for a residential heat pump. For a typical house, two of them may apply and one usually does not.
| Permit | Needed for a typical house? | Who handles it |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical permit | Yes. A new heat pump needs electrical work done under a permit by a licensed electrical contractor. | If you hire a licensed contractor, they apply on your behalf. |
| Gas permit | Only if a natural gas furnace or boiler is being modified or removed. | A licensed gas contractor. |
| Refrigeration permit | Usually not. Heat pumps with a prime mover under 5 kW are exempt, as are units without toxic or flammable contents in a building with four or fewer self-contained homes. | Not applicable for most houses; the work itself still needs a Class REF refrigeration licence holder. |
Technical Safety BC also says refrigeration work must be done by someone who holds, or works for someone who holds, a valid Class REF contractor's licence. Electrical work must be done by a qualified electrical worker, or a refrigeration mechanic with an Electrical Refrigeration FSR qualification working for a licensed electrical contractor. Ask any installer how they cover both.
Some municipalities also have rules on where the outdoor unit can sit and how loud it can be. Our guide to heat pump noise and setback rules covers what to check in your area. Condos and townhouses also need strata approval before any of this starts.
How long does a heat pump installation take?
Crew time depends on the system. These are the ranges Heat Savers, a Victoria installer, published in May 2026, which line up with what homeowners should expect locally:
| System | Typical crew time on site |
|---|---|
| Single-zone ductless | Often one day |
| Multi-zone ductless | Two to three days |
| Ducted, reusing existing ductwork | One to two days |
| Ducted, with new ductwork | Several days |
| Any system needing an electrical upgrade | Add half a day to a day |
The same source puts the whole job, from first call to a running system, at a couple of weeks for most standard installs, covering scheduling, permits and equipment. A service upgrade that needs BC Hydro to reconnect, or an oil tank removal on a conversion from oil, adds time.
What happens on heat pump installation day?
Outdoor unit
The outdoor unit goes on a pad, wall bracket or stand, raised clear of snow and runoff, with room for airflow and service. The location should already be agreed: away from bedroom windows and property lines if noise rules apply, and where the defrost meltwater can drain safely.
Indoor units or air handler
Ductless heads mount high on an exterior wall where possible. For a ducted system, the air handler replaces or sits beside the old furnace and connects to the existing ducts.
Line set, drain and wiring
Copper refrigerant lines, a condensate drain and a control cable run between the units through a small, sealed wall penetration. Line covers outside keep it tidy and protect the insulation.
Electrical
The heat pump gets its own circuit and an outdoor disconnect. If your panel is full or undersized, this is where a panel or service upgrade comes in; the electrical side of a heat pump install is worth checking at the quote stage, not on the day.
Commissioning: what to check before the crew leaves
- The refrigerant circuit was pressure-tested and evacuated with a vacuum pump before being opened. Ask what vacuum level was reached.
- Every indoor unit heats and cools, and the condensate drains outside, not into a wall.
- Backup heat (if any) is set to come on only at low outdoor temperatures.
- You have the model and serial numbers, the AHRI reference number, and a dated, paid invoice. You will need all of these for the rebate.
- You know how to clean the filters. Our maintenance guide covers the routine.
When do you apply for the heat pump rebate?
The timing differs by program, and getting it wrong can cost the whole rebate.
| Program | Before install | After install |
|---|---|---|
| Standard rebate (electrically heated homes, up to $4,000 whole home or $1,500 partial) | No pre-registration mentioned. Use an installer in the Home Performance Contractor Network. | Apply within six months of the invoice date. |
| BC Hydro limited-time bonus (up to $1,000) | Install, invoice and pay between August 1 and October 31, 2026. | Apply by November 30, 2026, while funds last. |
| Energy Savings Program (income-qualified) | Pre-register and get an eligibility code first. The code is valid for upgrades completed within 3 months. | A registered contractor must submit the application within six months of the invoice. |
Homes heated with oil, gas or propane in Greater Victoria do not get the standard rebate; the Energy Savings Program is their route. Our Energy Savings Program guide explains income levels and amounts, and the rebate checker shows what your home can apply for. The rebate summary on our home page has the headline numbers.
Ready to start with a site visit? Book a free estimate, or read more about our heat pump installation services.