Heat Pump Project

The Haílzaqv (Heiltsuk) Nation is proud to announce we are making big changes in our community. “Strategic Fuel Switching” involves removing furnaces that utilize fuel and replaces them with a heat pump that uses electricity and filters the incoming air. The results are lower bills, better overall Haíłzaqv health, while utilizing a sustainable energy source. It's also better aligns with Haíɫzaqv values and the collective philosophy.

Heat and electricity bills on average per annum were $3,600 per home in Bella Bella. After switching to a heat pump those bills decreased household energy spending by more than $1,500 per year.

One home switching to heat pumps eliminates five tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually. Currently over 159 homes have made the switch, making up over a third of homes in our community. Meaning 795 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions have been eliminated from our environment this year! The aim is to have another 120 heat pumps installed by the end of summer 2022.

Plus, we will have reduced our fuel consumption by 2,000 litres of diesel per home per year.

P̓áp̓aǧuála (to work together/ to cooperate) this work has had many hands involved internally Heiltsuk Tribal Council's Housing & Capital Departments, and the Haíɫzaqv Climate ActionTeam in partnership with Ecotrust Canada.

We hold deep gratitude to our funder:

• New Relationship Trust Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative

• BC First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund

• Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund

• CleanBC Indigenous Community Heat Pump Incentive

• CleanBC Income Qualified Program

• Canada Greener Homes Grant

• Indigenous Off Diesel Initiative

Heiltsuk Household Heat Pump Application