After the 2021 heat dome brought punishing temperatures to VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 usually temperate shores, Jordan CatonB次元官网网址檚 clients told him they slept in crawl spaces or in their car with the air-conditioning on to beat the heat.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 how bad it was and thatB次元官网网址檚 how much people are realizing B次元官网网址楬ey we do not want to deal with that again,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� the co-owner of Coastal Heat Pumps said.

Caton and Dale Morton of Sasquatch Heat Pumps, another Greater Victoria-based installer, are seeing a strong demand for the temperature-control technology on the South Island and the two companies are hearing similar reasons for why homeowners are making the switch.

Those motivations include lower energy bills, getting off less-efficient and fossil fuel-burning systems, getting cooling amid warming summers and taking part in the move to electrification. Despite the similar reasoning from those wanting a heat pump, a report found uptake of the electric heating and cooling systems isnB次元官网网址檛 uniform across the Capital Regional District (CRD).

Colwood and View Royal lead the region in uptake, with almost 10 per cent of both communitiesB次元官网网址� buildings being equipped with heat pumps, according to the final report of the Heat Vulnerability Data and Analysis Project, which was compiled for the CRD. Colwood also had the highest uptake among single-detached homes, while almost a third of View RoyalB次元官网网址檚 multi-unit buildings are equipped with heat pumps.

Victoria, Saanich, Esquimalt, Central Saanich and Oak Bay had some of the lowest uptake rates, ranging from three to six per cent.

The report found CRD communities should consider local subsidies for heat pumps, which could be targeted at certain demographics and buildings more at risk from extreme heat. Several CRD municipalities have offered top ups of $350 for residents taking advantage of rebates from upper levels of government.

A Saanich heat pump program currently offers up to $12,000 at zero per cent interest financing, while a Victoria one that ran from 2018 to 2022 dolled out $450,000 in top-up incentives to 266 homes that switched from fossil fuel systems.

Coastal Heat Pumps is based in Victoria but its crews are serving customers everywhere south of Ladysmith on daily basis. Caton said the industry is going strong right now as people are looking to get off fossil fuels or are just wanting greener living in general.

People are becoming more conscious about the environmental impact of gas or oil heating, along with less-efficient baseboard systems, but get cooling at the same time with a heat pump is also enticing for them, Caton said. He saw demand pick up during the pandemic as people stuck inside became concerned about their homeB次元官网网址檚 air quality.

That period also coincided with major heat waves and cold winters that piqued interests in heat pumps even further, he said.

PeopleB次元官网网址檚 motivations also change with the seasons. Caton said more people call them about cooling during the warmer months, especially if they live in upper floors of older condos that donB次元官网网址檛 have air conditioning.

Morton of Sasquatch Heat Pumps recalls how just 10 years ago, people would say you didnB次元官网网址檛 need air conditioning in Victoria, but he said that sentiment has changed.

B次元官网网址淧eople are seeing that climate change is having a bigger effect on our summers and their homes are becoming less comfortable,B次元官网网址� he said.

When fall rolls around, SasquatchB次元官网网址檚 clients are usually concerned about their inefficient baseboards leading to higher bills over the winter. After moving to the region and seeing how common those systems were, Morton soon realized many on the South Island were still using another inefficient system - oil heating.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 horrible, itB次元官网网址檚 costly, theyB次元官网网址檙e not environmentally friendly,B次元官网网址� he said of the oil systems.

While heat pumps offer a dual use, making the switch also gives people more peace of mind knowing theyB次元官网网址檙e not burning a tank of oil in their home.

B次元官网网址淚f you just want to stop burning oil, youB次元官网网址檙e also going to be happy when itB次元官网网址檚 35 degrees and youB次元官网网址檙e sleeping like a baby because your home is comfortable,B次元官网网址� Morton said.

Helping customers transition to less-polluting options is just one way Morton has tried to instill an environmental focus into SasquatchB次元官网网址檚 operations.

The local company plants 50 trees in B.C.B次元官网网址檚 wildfire affected areas for every install, leading to 13,000 plantings last year. It also helped add thousands of kelp plants to the Sunshine CoastB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渟eaforestationB次元官网网址� efforts.

B次元官网网址淚 really wanted to create something that was a win-win for everyone,B次元官网网址� Morton said.

The two installers said they can see why uptake currently leans toward the West Shore, given the number of newer homes being built there but also because the area has many B.C. box-style homes that are easier to retrofit.

However, both companies said thereB次元官网网址檚 demand all across the South Island, which they expect to pick up even further with expanded rebate opportunities.

The federal and B.C. governments recently announced a combined $255 million in funding for a heat pump rebate initiative that aims to lower energy bills, reduce pollution and provide people with cooling amid warming temperatures.

Under the new initiative, low- and middle-income households could be eligible for between $12,000 and $24,000 in rebates for heat pump installations and associated electrical upgrades. Exact rebate amounts depend on where applicants live and the number of people in their home.

Previous BC Hydro and provincial programs awarded $6,000 B次元官网网址� not including municipal top ups B次元官网网址� for those switching off natural gas, propane or oil heating, while a program geared toward lower-income households delivered $9,500 for heat pumps.

B次元官网网址淥bviously cost is a big factor for everybody and when the government steps up and puts the money into it, generally people are all about jumping into it,B次元官网网址� Caton said.

Moreton said governments continuing to offer rebates creates a boost for his industry B次元官网网址� one thatB次元官网网址檚 expected to keep growing.

B次元官网网址淭he adoption rate is accelerating as time goes on, as people realize this is the path forward,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 only a matter of time until everything is converted over. Heat pumps are the future.B次元官网网址�

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