Dr. Heat Pumpby Encano
Richmond heat pump installs · open 24/7
Heat Pump Installation in Richmond, BCheat in winter, cool in summer
One electric system that heats your home all winter and cools it in summer. Free in-home assessment in Richmond, one flat price in writing before any work starts.
- 5.0 on Google, 47 reviews
- Free assessment in Richmond
- 1-year workmanship warranty
What is a heat pump, and is it worth installing in Richmond?
A heat pump is one electric system that heats your home in winter and cools it in summer. Instead of burning gas, it moves heat: out of the outdoor air into the house when it is cold, and out of the house when it is hot. In a mild, damp climate like Richmond it works well for most of the heating season, and you get air conditioning without a second machine.
Most Richmond homeowners who call us about a heat pump fall into one of two groups. Some have an older gas furnace that is near the end of its life and want to stop paying for gas. Others have a furnace that still works but no air conditioning, and the last few summers made that hard to live with. A heat pump answers both, because the same system does the heating and the cooling, and it runs on electricity.
A heat pump is not a straight swap for a furnace. It delivers heat at a lower, steadier temperature, so the house has to be able to hold that heat, and the system has to be sized to the home, not copied from the old furnace nameplate. We look at the size of the house, the insulation and windows, the ductwork if you have it, where the outdoor unit can sit, and whether your electrical panel has room for it before we quote anything.
The Encano team is a family business based in Richmond. You get an in-home assessment (free in Richmond, travel time quoted first elsewhere), one flat price in writing before any work starts, permits handled by us when the job needs them, and a 1-year workmanship warranty on the install. The equipment carries the manufacturer’s warranty. If you are still comparing options, our guide to boilers, furnaces and heat pumps lays out the differences.
When a heat pump is worth a look
Your gas furnace is 15 years old or more
A replacement is coming anyway, so it is the moment to compare.
Summers are getting hard to sleep through
A heat pump adds air conditioning with the same system that heats.
You want to move off gas
A heat pump is all electric, an alternative to a gas furnace.
Your ducts are in good shape
A ducted heat pump can use the same ductwork your furnace uses now.
Some rooms are always too hot or too cold
Ductless units can heat and cool problem rooms on their own.
You are renovating or adding a suite
Easier to plan the outdoor unit and lines while walls are open.
What a heat pump installation from Encano includes
A heat pump only performs as well as the planning around it.
- Load calculation and sizing
- Sized to your house as it is today: square footage, insulation, windows and layout. An oversized unit short cycles; an undersized one struggles in a cold snap.
- Choosing the right setup
- Ducted on your existing ducts, ductless for homes or rooms without ducts, or dual fuel with your gas furnace kept as backup. We explain which fits and why.
- Outdoor unit placement
- A spot with airflow, on a raised pad or wall bracket so rain and defrost water drain away, and away from bedroom windows and the neighbour’s side where possible.
- Electrical capacity check
- We check your panel up front, so any electrical work the install needs is known and written into the quote before you commit.
- Lines, drain and thermostat
- Refrigerant lines and the condensate drain routed neatly, and the thermostat or controls set up so heating and cooling switch the way you want.
- Permits, testing and walkthrough
- Permits pulled by us when the job needs them, the system tested in heating and cooling, and a walkthrough of how to run it.
How your heat pump installation runs
- 01
Call or text for your price
Call or text (604) 764-2031. Tell us about the house and how it heats today. We book a time to see it.
- 02
In-home visit and written quote
We look at the house, the ducts, the outdoor spot and the panel, then give you one flat price in writing.
- 03
Installation
Indoor and outdoor units in, lines and drain routed, controls connected. The old equipment leaves with us if it is being removed.
- 04
Testing, permit and walkthrough
We test heating and cooling, close out the permit and inspection where required, and show you how to run it.
Heat pump installation cost in Richmond
Heat pump prices swing too much with the type of system and the house to publish one number here. A ductless unit for one room and a whole-house ducted system are very different jobs. What we do instead:
| What you pay for | How it is priced | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| In-home estimateWe see the house, the ducts, the outdoor spot and the electrical panel before quoting. | Free | We see the house, the ducts, the outdoor spot and the electrical panel before quoting. |
| Heat pump installationOne price for the whole job, agreed before any work starts. No meter running. | Flat price in writing | One price for the whole job, agreed before any work starts. No meter running. |
| RebatesWe help you check what you may qualify for on the official program pages. See below. | Checked for your home | We help you check what you may qualify for on the official program pages. See below. |
What moves the price: the size of the house, ducted or ductless, how many indoor units, line and drain runs, and any electrical work.
The assessment is free in Richmond. Outside Richmond, travel time is charged, and we quote it before we come out. If you go ahead with the work, you get a discount on that travel time. You always know the price before we go.
Heat pump rebates in BC
BC has offered heat pump rebates through CleanBC Better Homes, BC Hydro and FortisBC, but the rules depend on things like your income, your current heating fuel and who installs the system, and they change. Right now the Better Homes BC site says it is not being updated during the provincial election period.
So we do not quote rebate amounts on this page. During your estimate we help you check what you may be eligible for and point you to the official page for it, so you see the current rules yourself before you sign anything.
Official rebate sources
- CleanBC Better Homes: find rebates(opens in a new tab)
- BC Hydro: rebates and programs(opens in a new tab)
- FortisBC: rebates and offers(opens in a new tab)
- FortisBC: air source heat pump rebate(opens in a new tab)
- FortisBC: heat pump loan(opens in a new tab)
Links checked October 8, 2026.
Heat pump, or stay with gas?
A heat pump is not the right answer for every house, and we will say so.
A heat pump makes sense when
- You want heating and air conditioning from one system
- Your gas furnace is near the end of its life
- The house is reasonably well insulated, or you are upgrading it
- You want to cut or end gas use
- You have good ductwork, or rooms that suit ductless units
A furnace or boiler may fit better when
- The house heats with radiators or in-floor tubing that works well (see our boiler installation page)
- Your gas furnace is fairly new and you only want cooling now (a dual fuel setup can add it later)
- The electrical panel has no room and an upgrade is not in the plan
- There is no workable spot for the outdoor unit, or the strata will not approve one
Heat pumps in Richmond houses, townhomes and condos
Many detached houses in Broadmoor, Seafair, Blundell, Thompson and Garden City were built between the 1960s and 1990s and still heat with a forced-air gas furnace. If the ductwork is sound, a ducted heat pump can often use it, either replacing the furnace or working alongside it as a dual fuel system that keeps gas as backup for the coldest days. Homes heated with baseboards or a boiler usually look at ductless units instead.
Townhomes and condos add one more step: the strata. Most stratas have rules about where an outdoor unit can go, on a balcony, a wall or the roof, and many want written approval before work starts. Check your bylaws and ask the strata early. We can tell you the size of the outdoor unit and where the lines would run so you have what they ask for.
Richmond sits on Lulu Island, close to sea level, and the winters are wet rather than very cold. Temperatures that hover around freezing with high humidity mean frost forms on the outdoor coil, and the unit runs short defrost cycles to clear it. That is normal. It is also why we set the outdoor unit up off the ground, on a pad or bracket, with room for the melt water to drain away instead of pooling or freezing under it.
Neighborhoods we work in
- Steveston
- Terra Nova
- Broadmoor
- Seafair
- Thompson
- Blundell
- Garden City
- Brighouse
- West Cambie
- Hamilton
- East Richmond
- Riverdale
Also across Metro Vancouver
When to install a heat pump
Heating season in Metro Vancouver runs roughly October to April. The easiest time to plan a heat pump is spring or early fall, when your current system is not under pressure and there is time for the estimate, any strata approval and the permit.
The summer heat waves of recent years, including the 2021 heat dome, made air conditioning a real question for a lot of local homes. A heat pump installed before summer covers both seasons from the first year.
If your furnace has already failed in the middle of winter, call or text anyway. We will tell you honestly whether a repair gets you through the season while you plan the heat pump properly.
When a job needs a permit from Technical Safety BC, the health authority or the city, we pull it ourselves. The job is only finished once it passes inspection, and you only pay for permitted work after it passes.
Ask us anything47 reviews on our Google profile, copied word for word.
Philipe BolzanGoogle review · a month ago
Awesome service. Reliable and experienced technician. Solved the problem with my toilet in 15 minutes hassle-free
Sabrynna CaGoogle review · 2 months agoexcellent 🤩 …
Onilton MacielLocal Guide · 3 months agoEddie is amazing. He is professional and quick in resolving the issues. He has very fair prices. Highly recommend!
Pam AndrewsLocal Guide · 3 months agoGreat service. Eddie is knowledgeable and informative. Arrived very quickly and did an excellent job.
Vivian WongGoogle review · 5 months agoWe had a kitchen sink emergency Sunday night and Eddy saved the day. Showed up Monday morning as promised, stayed patient through a tricky clog, and clearly knew exactly what he was doing. Price was more than fair. Highly recommend Eddy if you need a plumber you can trust. Thank you very much Eddy!
BY KGoogle review · 5 months agoReally thankful to Ed for replacing our kitchen sink and garbage disposal. The service was fast,very professional and the quality of work was excellent. Highly recommend!
John MondaniGoogle review · 6 months agoEd is great, timely, professional, friendly everything you want. Would recommend to anyone. Fair pricing and only recommends what is needed.
Luiz PortellaGoogle review · 7 months agoEddie is amazing! Great customer service and attention to details. He helped me with a leaky shower that needed a cartridge replacement and a couple of other minor repairs. 5 stars hands down. I recommend!
Eliane MirandaGoogle review · a year agoExcellent service! Ed quickly found an efficient solution to our problem without overcomplicating things. We truly appreciate his support, thank you!
Ingrid MonteiroLocal Guide · a year agoAmazing company ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The MadaFakLocal Guide · a year agoAmazing company!
alex de salesGoogle review · a year agoEd is professional, honest, and my go to plumber now.
marmotageGoogle review · a year agoEd was fantastic! He showed up on time, quickly identified the problem, and fixed it with no hassle. Very professional, friendly, and reasonably priced.
rafael francoGoogle review · a year agoI had a really good experience with this plumbing service. The team showed up on time, were friendly and professional, and paid attention to the details. They found and fixed the problem quickly, cleaned up everything after, and explained what they did in a simple way. The result was great and made me feel relaxed. I totally recommend them and would call them again if I need help!
Leonardo SbardelottoLocal Guide · a year agoCalled Ed late at night, he didn’t hesitate. Fixed the busted pipe fast and stopped a disaster. Can’t thank him enough!
Stanley LauGoogle review · a year agoEd is the best plumber ever ! Best service and company ever !
CD SincGoogle review · a year agoExcellent service. Ed found a way around a complicated problem, fixed it and explained what he was doing to me. He was friendly, courteous and professional. Thank you so much!!
rachel lemosGoogle review · a year agoEd is very experienced and very responsive, I highly recommend this company
Hirtonio AndradeLocal Guide · a year agoAmazing service! Encano Plumbing & Drainage Ltd was super fast, professional, and paid great attention to detail. From the first call to the end of the job, they were friendly, clear, and easy to deal with. They showed up on time, gave a fair quote, and the work was done really well. I’d definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a plumber they can trust. One of the best service experiences I’ve had here in Canada!
Antonio mussiGoogle review · a year agoEd provides exceptional plumbing services! He combines expertise with a consistently friendly and transparent approach. Every time I’ve needed assistance, Ed has delivered prompt, reliable solutions, often going above and beyond by offering clear, practical advice to help prevent future issues. His dedication to customer satisfaction and proactive communication truly sets him apart. Highly recommended without hesitation!
Ivan LeungGoogle review · 2 months agoGreat work. Used for commercial and personal property. Met quotes and was available to bring in other trades when necessary to complete jobs efficiently.
gustavo de almeida françaGoogle review · 2 months agoEddie is super friendly, helpful, and transparent! Always making sure his clients understand what needs to be done and how much it will cost ahead of time.
Cris ReisLocal Guide · 3 months agoMr. Eddie, as always when we need him, performs the work quickly, accurately, and with great competence. The best one!
Flavio TruzziLocal Guide · 4 months agoI can't recommend Encano Plumbing & Drain enough! They came to replace my dishwasher and immediately ran into a problem left behind by the previous installers, a metal piece that had been incorrectly fitted and was completely blocking access to remove the old unit. Rather than giving up or charging me extra to come back another day, Ed handled it on the spot, cutting through the obstruction efficiently and professionally. What really stood out was how thorough and tidy he was throughout the whole job. He kept the work area clean, and didn't leave me with a mess to deal with, which honestly isn't always a given. On top of that, he went out of his way to help me get rid of the old dishwasher, which saved me a huge headache. This is exactly the kind of tradesperson you want: calm under pressure, resourceful when things don't go to plan, and genuinely helpful beyond just the bare minimum.
Makoto TaniguchiGoogle review · 5 months agoEddie was friendly, gave me a good quote, came in early and explained the tasks prior to starting and did an excellent job. Highly recommended.
Larissa RodriguesGoogle review · 6 months agoEddie is very responsible! Best plumber in Vancouver area. I called him due to an emergency and he stopped by at the same day. I highly recommend him. 10/10
Talitha NobregaGoogle review · 6 months agoSecond time using Encano Company, and Ed was amazing once again! He’s reliable, professional, and gets the job done quickly. Really appreciate the great service highly recommend!
Celine YinGoogle review · 9 months agoVery responsive, on-time and excellent service. Ed is very professional and knowledgeable. He helped us with installation of new hot water tank, garburator, dishwasher, washers/dryers, toilets and removal of the old ones. He also handled any other plumbing concerns we’ve got. He can do them all. Would highly recommend!
Nelson JrGoogle review · a year agoThe best , better than I expected.
Karri LamGoogle review · a year agoThis is a good company 👍👍nice staff, good service, recommend! …
Robson MacielGoogle review · a year agoExcellent professionals, they resolved everything perfectly, clean, fast and hassle-free work!
Celine YinLocal Guide · a year agoExcellent workmanship, quick response time and reasonable pricing! Would highly recommend.
Ana CeciliaGoogle review · a year agoSuper reliable and professional, I wouldn’t hesitate to call Ed again.
Leonardo SbardelottoLocal Guide · a year agoAlways reliable.
Ming LauGoogle review · a year agoAmazing company to work with and Eddie is Great . If you want great a Plumbing company , choose them !!!
DezzaGoogle review · a year agoDedicated service. 10/10 recommend.
Lucas J. SantosGoogle review · a year agoEddie is an excellent professional, always committed to delivering the best service. Thank you for meeting him!
Frederico LemosGoogle review · a year agoEd is a professional who updates himself in his work area and skillfly manages the service and its challenges.
Jay TeeLocal Guide · a year agoGreat service! Eddie provided great customer service.
Trendfashions VTGoogle review · 5 years agoEddie had to re-pipe my entire house due to faulty piping. It was a major job. He advised me to install many safety features too, as well as a new shower tower. I would highly recommend him, not only is he knowledgable but pleasant and professional. You are in good hands with canada place plumbing.
Heat Pump Installation questions
Straight answers. If yours is not here, text it to us.
Open now · 24 hours, 7 days
Thinking about a heat pump? Call or text.
Tell us about your house and how it heats today. The Encano team answers 24/7, books a visit (free in Richmond, travel time quoted first elsewhere) and gives you one flat price in writing before any work starts.
Get your heat pump installation price
Tell us what is going on. We reply with next steps and a time, and the price is agreed before any work starts.