As of July 1, 2022, all heat pump installers will require the Municipal Heat Pump Certification to install heat pumps and obtain a mechanical permit (pending Council approval).
A heat pump is an appliance that moves heat in and out of your home using electricity. A single system can both heat and cool your house year-round and there is a wide range of systems to supplement or fully replace your existing heating or hot water systems.
A heat pump requires an exterior condenser unit that can be installed on the ground or mounted on a wall. The heated or cooled air can be transferred inside the house either in ducts or with ‘ductless’ systems.
The electrical grid in British Columbia is over 92% renewable energy, so switching to a heat pump from fossil-fuel systems can significantly reduce a home’s carbon emissions.
Recent technology improvements have allowed for:
Active air filtration and better indoor air quality
As a Climate Emergency Response action, gas fired heating and hot water systems will no longer be permitted in most new construction of one to three storey residential homes as of January 1, 2022.
The City of Vancouver and TECA (Thermal Environmental Comfort Association) collaborated to develop training to up-skill the existing installer base on requirements of heat pump installations.
