A renovation is the most practical time to upgrade a home's heating, and Waywest Mechanical does that work in Nanaimo and across Vancouver Island. Common upgrades include replacing electric baseboard with ducted or ductless heat pumps, removing oil furnaces and tanks, replacing old furnaces and boilers with high-efficiency equipment, and adding radiant in-floor heat to renovated bathrooms, kitchens and basements. Waywest's own sheet metal shop builds any new ductwork, and eligible systems may qualify for rebates.
Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:30 PM · quotes within the hour
Heating is part of the renovation plan
Heating equipment usually outlasts a couple of paint jobs, but not a major renovation. If the house still runs on electric baseboard, an oil furnace, or a boiler or furnace near the end of its life, planning the replacement into the renovation saves money, disruption and rework.
Waywest designs and installs the new system around the renovated layout and coordinates the rough-in with your contractor.
Common upgrades
Electric baseboard to heat pumps. Ducted heat pumps where ducts can be run, or ductless mini-splits room by room. Both add summer cooling. See heat pumps.
Oil furnace to heat pump. We remove the oil furnace and arrange for the old oil tank to be dealt with, and install a heat pump, often using the existing ducts after checking their size and condition.
Old furnace to high-efficiency gas or dual fuel. A new furnace, or a heat pump paired with gas backup in a dual-fuel system.
Old boiler to high-efficiency boiler. Condensing boilers with new controls and zoning for hydronic homes.
Radiant floors in renovated spaces. In-floor heat under new tile in bathrooms and kitchens, or in a basement slab — see radiant & hydronic heating.
Ductwork from our own shop
When a renovation changes the layout or adds space, the ducts often need to change too. Waywest fabricates custom ductwork in its Nanaimo sheet metal shop, so new runs, transitions and returns are built to fit the framing rather than forced into it.
Size for the finished house
A renovation can change a home's heating needs: new windows and insulation lower them, an addition or a finished basement raises them. We size equipment for the home as it will be when the work is done, which matters for comfort and for rebate eligibility.
Rebates
Heat pump rebates depend on your current heating fuel, the equipment and, for some programs, household income. Current programs and amounts are listed on our rebates page, and we check eligibility before quoting.
Service area
Heating upgrades in Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Ladysmith, Duncan and across Vancouver Island.
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
Why upgrade heating during a renovation instead of later?
New ductwork, refrigerant lines, radiant tubing and gas or electrical routes are far easier to install with walls, ceilings and floors open. Doing it later means cutting into new finishes. A renovation is also a chance to size the system to the home as it will be after the work, including additions and finished basements.
Can I add radiant floor heating to just one room?
Yes. Radiant heat is often added to a renovated bathroom, kitchen or basement slab. If the home has a boiler, a new hydronic zone can be tied in; otherwise a small dedicated heat source or electric floor heat may make more sense. Waywest recommends the right option for the room.
Are there rebates for switching to a heat pump during a renovation?
Homes replacing electric heat may qualify for BC Hydro and CleanBC heat pump rebates, and income-qualified households switching from oil, gas, propane or wood may qualify through the Energy Savings Program. Programs change, so check current amounts on Waywest's rebates page before you commit.
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.