Switching from Furnace to Heat Pump — Key Considerations
Published: July 23, 2026 — BC Wide Home Services Ltd, doing business as BC Wide Heating & Air Conditioning — Greater Vancouver, BC
Electrical Panel Requirements
A heat pump requires a dedicated 240V circuit — typically 30-60 amps depending on size. Standard 100-amp panels may have enough capacity if you have gas appliances. If the panel needs upgrading to 200 amps, add $2,500-5,000 to the project cost.
Ductwork Considerations
Existing ductwork installed for a furnace may work for a heat pump, but there are differences: heat pumps deliver cooler supply air (30-40°C vs 50-60°C for gas furnaces). This means the air moves slower and may not reach distant rooms as effectively. Ductwork should be evaluated during the heat pump assessment. Leaky ducts waste more energy with a heat pump because the air is cooler and runs longer.
Financial Analysis
Cost of heat pump conversion: $8,000-14,000. CleanBC rebate: $2,000-6,000. Net cost: $4,000-10,000. Annual savings vs gas furnace: $150-400/year. Payback: 10-40 years depending on current gas usage and heat pump efficiency. When combined with the value of air conditioning (not included with a furnace), the effective payback improves to 8-15 years.