Heating and cooling for Vancouver homes
Vancouver runs its own permits and has its own rules for where a heat pump can sit. We work with both every week, so you don't have to learn them.
Vancouver Specials
Vancouver has a house type all its own. The Vancouver Special was built by the thousand between roughly 1965 and 1985: two storeys, no true basement, a main floor at or just below grade with the bedrooms and a utility room, and the living room and kitchen upstairs.
That layout shapes the heating conversation. The equipment sits downstairs, but most of your waking hours are spent upstairs, so the questions at the estimate are where the indoor equipment goes and how heat and cooling reach the upper floor evenly. A ducted heat pump can reuse existing ductwork where it’s in good shape; ductless suits homes with baseboards or a hot water system.
Permits in Vancouver
Most BC cities leave gas and electrical permits to Technical Safety BC, the provincial safety regulator. Vancouver is one of the few that issues its own.
For a heat pump at a house, the City’s heat pump bulletin calls for a mechanical permit and an electrical permit, with a load calculation as part of the electrical one. If a gas furnace or boiler is changed or taken out, a gas permit is added. We pull the permits on every job.
Where the outdoor unit can go
The same bulletin sets the placement rules. The outdoor unit can’t be within 90 cm of the property line, can’t block a pathway, parking or a suite entrance, and can’t drain condensation onto a path. One outdoor unit is allowed per yard, and every heat pump has to meet the City’s Noise Control By-law once it’s running.
On a narrow Vancouver lot, those rules often decide the location before anything else does. We look at your yards at the estimate and show you where the unit can go and why.
What we install and service in Vancouver
Rebates for homes in this area
Which programs apply depends on your home, how it's heated now and who supplies your electricity. We check what fits at your free estimate.
What our customers say
Rated 5 out of 5
I recently had a new heat pump installed by Jolly, and the entire experience was truly exceptional from start to finish. Every person I interacted with gave me confidence that I’d made the right choice.
From the very beginning, Thomas, the sales rep, stood out.
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While other companies left me feeling either overcharged or unsure about their expertise, my conversations with Thomas were clear, respectful, and genuinely helpful. He made me feel valued as a customer, and that made a huge difference in my decision.
Jason, who coordinated the project, kept everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Scheduling, communication, permits, calculations, and follow-through were all seamless.
Wilson, the project manager, went above and beyond. He provided a thorough walkthrough of the entire system, showed me how to use all of the features, and made sure every detail met my expectations before wrapping up. His professionalism and patience were outstanding.
The quality of the work speaks for itself, everything was done to the highest standard. I couldn’t be happier with the final product, and I’m grateful to the whole Jolly team for making the process so easy and stress-free.
Highly recommended
Rated 5 out of 5
We recently hired Jolly Heating & Cooling to install a new heat pump system, replacing our gas furnace. After collecting quotes from four different companies, we confidently chose Jolly Heating & Cooling based on their exceptional transparency and professionalism.
Our initial experience with Thomas set the standard: he was honest, professional, and delivered completely transparent pricing, which we truly appreciated.
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The outstanding service continued throughout the entire process; Jason was professional and efficient, quickly answering all our follow-up questions.
What truly impressed us and provided immense peace of mind was the final stage: Wilson, the project manager, personally attended the post-installation walk-through. He ensured we understood exactly how to operate the new system. This level of dedication is rare.
I will enthusiastically and without reservation recommend Jolly Heating and Cooling to anyone in need of quality HVAC installation and service!
Rated 5 out of 5
We recently had our A/C installed by Jolly Heating and Cooling, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. Since our house is over 30 years old, the installation was definitely a challenge, but their team handled everything perfectly and professionally.
They not only completed the installation smoothly, but also took the time to explain and answer any questions we had along the way.
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Whenever an issue came up, they responded quickly and solved it without delay.
Special thanks to Jason, Thomas, and Wilson for their hard work and dedication — you truly made the whole process stress-free for us.
Now we’re so happy to be able to enjoy a cool and comfortable summer with our new A/C! Highly recommend Jolly Heating and Cooling to anyone looking for a reliable and professional team!
Questions from Vancouver homeowners
Do I need a permit to install a heat pump in Vancouver?
Yes. The City of Vancouver issues its own mechanical and electrical permits for a heat pump at a house, plus a gas permit if a gas furnace or boiler is changed or removed. We pull them as part of the job.
How close to the property line can the outdoor unit go?
Under the City's heat pump bulletin, no closer than 90 cm, with one outdoor unit per yard, and the unit has to meet the Noise Control By-law. We plan the location with you at the estimate.
I'm in a strata townhouse. What do I need before work starts?
The City asks for written permission from your strata council before installation. We put together a strata approval package with photos, spec sheets and our insurance and licence documents for you to submit.
Book a free estimate in Vancouver
We come to your home, look at what you have, and give you a written quote with options. No pressure to decide on the spot.