Waywest Mechanical installs, repairs and maintains air-source heat pumps in Nanaimo and across Vancouver Island. A heat pump moves heat from outdoor air into the home in winter and reverses to cool it in summer, using far less energy than electric baseboard, oil or propane. Waywest sizes each system to the house, handles ductwork from its own sheet metal shop, and is registered to help customers claim CleanBC and BC Hydro rebates.
Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:30 PM · quotes within the hour
How a heat pump heats your home
A heat pump does not burn fuel to make heat. It uses refrigerant and a compressor to pull heat out of outdoor air — even cold air holds a surprising amount of it — and deliver it indoors through your ductwork. In summer the cycle reverses and the same system becomes central air conditioning.
Because it moves heat rather than creating it, a heat pump can deliver several units of heat for every unit of electricity it uses. On Vancouver Island, where most winter days sit a few degrees above freezing, that efficiency holds up for nearly the whole heating season.
Is a heat pump right for your home?
Heat pumps are usually a strong fit if you:
- Heat with electric baseboard, oil or propane and want lower running costs
- Have a furnace near the end of its life and existing ductwork
- Want summer cooling without adding a separate air conditioner
- Are renovating or building and planning the heating system from scratch
- Want to qualify for rebates on high-efficiency equipment
Homes without ductwork are usually better served by ductless mini-splits. Homes on natural gas may get the best of both with a dual-fuel system.
Sizing makes or breaks the system
An oversized heat pump short-cycles, wears out faster and leaves the house clammy. An undersized one runs constantly and leans on expensive backup heat. The unit that was in the house before is not a reliable guide.
We size systems from the home itself: square footage, insulation, windows, air leakage, and the coldest temperatures the equipment needs to handle. We also check whether the existing ducts can carry the airflow a heat pump needs. Where they cannot, we modify or rebuild them in our own sheet metal shop.
What installation involves
- Site visit to assess the home, electrical panel, ductwork and outdoor unit location.
- Eligibility check for CleanBC, BC Hydro and FortisBC rebates before you commit — see rebates.
- Written quote with equipment, scope and rebates shown separately.
- Installation of the outdoor unit on a proper pad or wall bracket, the indoor coil or air handler, refrigerant piping, condensate drain and controls.
- Commissioning — refrigerant charge verified, airflow checked, and the system tested in both heating and cooling.
- Walk-through of the thermostat, filters and what normal operation looks and sounds like.
Heat pump repair and service
Common calls we handle:
- System not heating or cooling enough
- Outdoor unit iced over and not defrosting
- Unusual noises from the compressor or fan
- Refrigerant leaks
- Frequent cycling or constant running
- Thermostat and control problems
Waywest services heat pumps we installed and those installed by others. Annual maintenance catches most of these problems early — see maintenance plans.
Residential and commercial
Heat pumps are not only a house-sized product. Waywest installs and services larger systems too, including rooftop heat pump equipment on multi-unit residential buildings like East Village in Qualicum Beach.
Service area
Waywest installs and services heat pumps in Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Ladysmith, Duncan, the Comox Valley and across our Vancouver Island service area.
What happens when you call
- A person answers
You talk to the Nanaimo office, or our own crew on the 24/7 line — not a call centre.
- You hear the rate first
We explain the service rate, or the emergency rate after hours, before anyone is booked or dispatched.
- A licensed technician arrives
A Waywest technician with a stocked vehicle diagnoses the problem and explains your options.
- You approve the work
Repairs go ahead once you agree. Larger jobs get a written quote you can take time to consider.
Quick facts
- Emergency service
- 24/7 at 250-616-1446 — typically on site within an hour in Nanaimo
- Office hours
- Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:30 PM, 250-729-2394
- Service area
- Nanaimo and Vancouver Island, Victoria to Port Hardy
- Licensing
- TSBC licence LGA0004592; licensed, bonded and insured
- Quotes
- Reply within the hour during business hours
- Page updated
Common questions
How much does a heat pump cost in BC?
Heat pump cost in BC depends on whether the system is ducted or ductless, how many rooms or zones it serves, the home's heat load, electrical upgrades and the equipment chosen. Rebates can reduce it substantially — in 2026, up to $4,000 plus a bonus of up to $1,000 from BC Hydro for homes on electric heat. Waywest quotes after a site visit, with rebates shown separately.
Do heat pumps need regular service?
Yes. Annual heat pump maintenance cleans coils and filters and checks refrigerant operation, defrost and electrical components, which prevents breakdowns and keeps manufacturer warranties valid. Waywest provides heat pump service and repair in Nanaimo and offers WayWest HomeCare maintenance packages with 5% off.
Do heat pumps work in Vancouver Island winters?
Yes. Island winters are mild and damp, which suits air-source heat pumps well. Modern cold-climate models keep producing heat well below freezing, and on the rare very cold nights a backup heat source — electric strips or a gas furnace in a dual-fuel system — covers the gap.
How much does a heat pump cost to install in Nanaimo?
Cost depends on the size of the home, whether existing ductwork can be used, electrical upgrades, and the equipment chosen. Waywest provides a written quote after a site visit, with available CleanBC, BC Hydro or FortisBC rebates shown separately so you see the real net cost.
Can a heat pump replace my furnace?
In many homes, yes. A ducted heat pump can use the existing duct system if it is sized and in good condition. Homes on natural gas often keep the furnace as backup in a dual-fuel setup instead of removing it.
How long does a heat pump last?
A well-maintained air-source heat pump commonly lasts around 15 years or more. Annual maintenance, clean filters and keeping the outdoor unit clear of debris and vegetation all extend its life, and are often required to keep the manufacturer's warranty valid.
Why is my heat pump blowing cool air in winter?
A heat pump's supply air feels cooler than a furnace's even when it is working properly. It also runs short defrost cycles in cold, damp weather. If the house is not reaching temperature, the outdoor unit is iced solid, or it runs constantly without keeping up, book a service call.
Need this sorted out?
Call the Nanaimo office and talk to someone who can tell you what the work involves and when we can get to it.