Eligible B.C. residents can get free air conditioning units to beat the heat
With summer in full swing, keeping cool is top of mind, and that’s being made much easier thanks to BC Hydro’s program for free air conditioning units.
The program, in partnership with the provincial government, is eligible for British Columbians who have received a recommendation letter from their regional health authority’s Home Care Program.
In a recent statement to Daily Hive, a BC Hydro representative confirmed it “plans to continue to make the program available to medically vulnerable customers by referrals from eligible health authority programs.”
“This will ensure that medically heat-vulnerable individuals have access to safety cooling during extreme heat events,” stated BC Hydro.
BC Hydro
The offer includes one portable AC unit per eligible household. These units come with wheels and are installed by connecting their flexible duct hose through an open window. The unit is plugged into a standard wall outlet. It also comes with a one-time installation, but individuals will be responsible for any maintenance, take-down, or reinstallation.
The unit is low wattage, meaning it costs less to operate, and BC Hydro notes that these units are well-suited for small, enclosed areas.
There are no fees or shipping costs for receiving the unit.
To apply for an air conditioner, the first step is to ensure you have secured a letter from your health authority’s Home Care Program.
When you have received that letter, download and fill out the free air conditioner application form and submit it to BC Hydro via mail or email.
After a few weeks, you’ll hear back about whether you’ve been approved. Renters will need consent from their landlords to apply and will need to fill out a separate application.
The BC government has also rolled out a new heat pump program with a rebate incentive for residents living in condominium and apartment units.
The Better Homes Energy Savings Program Condo and Apartment Rebate, which offers rebates of up to $5,000 to help income-qualified renters and condo owners install high-performance electric heat pumps in individual suites.
Extreme heat events require more planning
Extreme heat events are becoming more common here in B.C. and around the world.
A recent research paper from Simon Fraser University noted that there are “major differences” in how B.C. municipalities are preparing for these weather occurrences.
According to findings published in the Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, fewer urban planning initiatives were found in areas such as Chilliwack, Delta, Port Coquitlam, and West Vancouver, where there is a lower socio-economic status or low population density.
More planning and preparation were observed in municipalities such as Vancouver, Surrey, and New Westminster.
“In B.C., we have seen firsthand the tragic consequences of extreme heat. We have to take steps today to prepare our buildings and neighbourhoods so we can save lives tomorrow,” said Andréanne Doyon, associate professor at SFU’s School of Resource and Environmental Management, in a statement.
The BC Centre for Disease Control notes that indoor heat is particularly hazardous, especially for those without access to a cool environment.
Seniors 65 and older, those who live alone, folks with disabilities, pregnant people, individuals with chronic physical and mental health conditions, and those with substance use disorders are among the most vulnerable to extreme heat events.
This article was first published in April 2025 and has since been updated.
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