Heat pump installs: budgeting for the electrical work

A heat pump quote covers the mechanical side: outdoor unit, heads or air handler, refrigerant lines. The electrical work to power the unit is a separate job. On a pre-1990 house with 100A service, that can mean anything from one new circuit to a full panel upgrade.

The missing line item

A single-zone air-source heat pump needs a dedicated 240V circuit, 20–40A depending on the model. Cold-climate and ducted systems can need more, plus a circuit for backup resistance heat. A gas furnace or oil boiler only needs a 15A circuit, so most houses don't have one big enough yet.

• Best case: the panel has spare spaces and capacity. You need one new circuit to the outdoor disconnect, plus the load calculation. Run length and drilling set the cost.
• Middle case: the panel has capacity but no spare spaces. You need a sub-panel or tandem breakers on top of the circuit. We quote it after seeing the panel.
• Worst case: the load calculation fails on 100A and you need a 200A upgrade first, which is the biggest cost of the three. See our panel upgrade cost guide.

These are 2026 CRD ranges. We give a firm number after seeing the panel.

What the electrical work includes

1. Load calculation. BCEC 2024 requires a load calculation before adding a fixed heating load. It takes about half an hour with the panel open and a list of your big appliances. It tells you whether you need one circuit or a panel upgrade before you sign the heat pump contract.
2. Circuit and disconnect. Correctly sized wiring to a weatherproof disconnect at the outdoor unit, plus circuits for indoor heads or the air handler. Permitted and inspected.
3. Panel or service upgrade, if needed. BCEC 2024 allows load-management devices that shed a lower-priority load (EV charger, water heater) while the heat pump runs. That can avoid the upgrade, so ask about it before committing to one.

Rebates

Provincial rebates may be available for heat pumps. Amounts and rules change, sometimes mid-year, and funding can run out, so confirm what's available before you count on it. Ask your heating contractor what applies to your home.

Rebates are mainly for the heat pump itself. Electrical work rarely qualifies on its own, and a panel upgrade with no heat pump usually gets nothing.

If you may qualify for income-based rebates, tell your contractors before they quote. Starting work early can affect eligibility.

Working with your heating contractor

We handle the electrical side of heat pump installs (the circuit, disconnect and panel capacity) and work with your heating contractor.

• Before work starts, we do the load calculation and tell you whether you need one circuit or a panel upgrade.
• We coordinate with the heating contractor so the two scopes and invoices match.
• Our invoice lists the electrical work separately, with the permit number.
• We send you one PDF with the permit, inspection record and invoice. Keep it, since you may be asked for it later.

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