The Short Answer
If your home already has ductwork (from a gas furnace or central air conditioner), a ducted heat pump is usually the right choice — it heats and cools your entire home through the existing ducts. If your home has no ductwork, a ductless mini split is the way to go. There are exceptions to both rules, and we'll walk you through them below.
Ducted Heat Pump
Best for homes with existing ductwork- Heats and cools the entire home uniformly
- Uses your existing ductwork — no new holes in walls
- Single outdoor unit for the whole home
- Generally quieter indoors — vents blend into ceilings
- Highest CleanBC rebates for full furnace replacements
- Familiar operation for homeowners used to forced air
- Requires existing ductwork in good condition
- Duct leakage reduces efficiency if ducts aren't sealed
- Harder to control individual room temperatures
Ductless Mini Split
Best for homes without ductwork- No ductwork required — works in any home
- Individual room temperature control per zone
- Very high efficiency — no duct losses
- Can heat/cool specific rooms only (lower operating cost)
- Great for secondary suites and additions
- Quick installation — typically 1 day
- Wall-mounted indoor units are visible in each room
- Multiple zones mean multiple indoor units to maintain
- Higher upfront cost for whole-home coverage (vs ducted)
When to Choose Ducted
Choose a ducted system if: your home has a gas furnace and existing ductwork in reasonable condition, you want whole-home heating and cooling from one system, you prefer the invisible-vent look of central air, and you want to maximize your CleanBC rebate (furnace replacement rebates are typically the highest).
When to Choose Ductless
Choose a ductless mini split if: your home was built without ductwork (common in older Vancouver character homes), you're adding heating/cooling to a secondary suite, laneway house, or addition, you want independent temperature control room-by-room, or you're heating only part of your home and want to avoid heating empty spaces.
What About Hybrid Systems?
A hybrid system pairs a heat pump with your existing gas furnace as a backup. The heat pump does most of the work — it's more efficient. The gas furnace kicks in only when temperatures drop below the heat pump's efficient operating range. This is a good option if you're not ready to go fully electric and want a phased transition. Hybrid systems also qualify for partial CleanBC rebates.
CleanBC Rebates by System Type
| System | Typical Rebate Range |
|---|---|
| Ducted heat pump — full furnace replacement | $6,000–$16,000 |
| Multi-zone ductless mini split (3+ zones) | $3,000–$8,000 |
| Single-zone ductless mini split | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Hybrid system (heat pump + gas backup) | $2,000–$6,000 |
| Heat pump water heater (add-on rebate) | Up to $1,000 |
Actual rebate amounts depend on your current system, home size, and specific product installed. Read our full CleanBC rebate guide for complete details, or call us and we'll tell you exactly what you qualify for.
Still Not Sure?
Call us. We'll ask a few questions about your home and give you a straight answer — no sales pressure, no upselling. We want you in the right system, because that's what leads to happy long-term customers.