The four things that actually change your quote.
1. Your home's heat load — measured, not guessed
The single biggest pricing (and performance) factor is how much heating your home actually needs at design temperature. BC's rebate programs require a CSA F280-12 heat-load calculation for good reason: rule-of-thumb sizing produces systems that short-cycle, underheat, and cost more to run. Every Purple Turtle quote includes the real calculation.
2. System type and the rebate "cliffs"
Rebates jump at specific design points: on a Level 1 income-qualified gas conversion, a single head earns up to $7,500 — but a second head lifts that to $14,000, and a third head or ducted system to $16,000. Designing with the rebate table open can make a bigger system cost less out of pocket. See the full BC rebate guide.
3. Electrical work
Many older island homes run 60–100A service. Heat pump conversions often need a panel or service upgrade — typically $2,500–$6,000, and rebated up to $5,000 on qualifying income-tested conversions. Our electricians are in-house, so this happens in the same project instead of becoming a second contract. Details on the electrical page.
4. Installation quality
Refrigerant line length and routing, condensate management, mounting (composite pads, proper risers), commissioning and airflow setup — the invisible 20% that decides whether a system lasts 8 years or 20. It's also where the cheapest quote usually cuts.