Ductless Heat Pump vs Gas Furnace — Which Is Cheaper in Vancouver?
Published: July 21, 2026 — BC Wide Home Services Ltd, doing business as BC Wide Heating & Air Conditioning — Greater Vancouver, BC
Upfront Cost Comparison
Single-zone ductless heat pump: $3,500-5,500 installed. Gas furnace (central): $3,500-6,500 installed. For whole-home coverage (3-4 zones): ductless $10,000-15,000, gas furnace $4,500-7,500 (if ductwork exists). Gas furnace is cheaper upfront if you have existing ductwork. Ductless is cheaper if you do not have ductwork.
Annual Operating Cost
Gas furnace (95% AFUE): $1,000-1,600/year for a typical Vancouver home. Ductless heat pump: $600-1,200/year (heating only) or $700-1,400/year (heating + cooling). The heat pump costs $200-400 less per year to operate than a gas furnace in Vancouver. The gap narrows if auxiliary electric heat is used frequently.
Total Cost Over 15 Years
Gas furnace: upfront ($5,000) + 15 years of operation ($18,000) = $23,000 total. Ductless heat pump (single zone): upfront ($4,500) + 15 years operation ($13,500) + future replacement costs ($4,500 for second unit at year 15) = $22,500. Multi-zone ductless with heating savings: $21,000-28,000 total. The heat pump breaks even in 5-8 years.