Make the Switch

Demand for cooling systems continues to grow as a result of an upward trend in summer temperatures across the province. A heat pump is highly energy-efficient and provides both low-carbon heating and cooling. It can replace both a gas furnace and air conditioner. 

Homeowners often wonder what their utility bills will look like if they were to convert their gas furnace/boiler to an electric heat pump. A recently published report in southwestern BC demonstrated that electric heat pumps are generally less expensive to operate than gas furnaces. In a survey run by the Capital Regional District and District of Saanich, the switch from gas heating to an electric heat pump resulted in the same, or lower, energy costs in 66% of the homes. After switching to a heat pump, fully-electrified households cut their carbon pollution by more than 90%, proving that electrification is the most effective path to decarbonize buildings. 

On a per unit of energy basis, electricity is more expensive than gas, however, heat pumps are up to 300% more efficient than the gas equipment they replace. In addition, gas prices can be highly volatile. Gas bills include a number of add-on charges to the commodity cost, including daily fees, delivery charges, storage and transportation costs and carbon taxes. Electricity prices in BC are governed by the BC Utilities Commission’s electric tariff. This rate is calculated to cover the cost of generating and transmitting electricity, while hedging against changing market conditions, and therefore is less susceptible to individual commodity price shocks. 

Homeowners considering making the switch to a heat pump can find more information about potential upfront costs and rebates in this resource created by City Green Solutions. In the Capital Regional District and City of Vancouver, residents can also take advantage of the Home Energy Navigator, a free program created by local governments to engage and support homeowners throughout their retrofit journey. 

In the Make the Switch survey, participants shared their energy bills for at least one year prior to and after their heat pump installation. They also shared information on their home’s size and age, number of occupants, and qualitative data, such as their subjective observations on home comfort.

Read more in the Make the Switch Summary Report. 

Read full report here