British Columbia Residential Financial Incentives for Insulation
BC Hydro Home Renovation Rebates for Insulation
Upgrading insulation will help you save at least 10% of your home’s energy cost and improve your home’s comfort year ’round. When planning an insulation upgrade, you’ll need to understand R-value, which is the measure of insulation’s ability to slow the transfer of heat. Rebate amounts are calculated by the amount of R-value you’re adding to your home.
| UPGRADE | REBATE AVAILABLE |
|---|---|
| Attic insulation $0.02 x R-value added x sq ft | Maximum $900 |
| Basement/crawlspace insulation $0.09 x R-value added x sq ft | Maximum $1,200 |
| Exterior wall cavity insulation $0.09 x R-value added x sq ft | Maximum $1,200 |
| Exterior wall sheathing insulation $0.09 x R-value added x sq ft | Maximum $1,200 |
| Other insulation $0.07 x R-value added x sq ft | Maximum $1,000 |
Bundle your upgrades to get $300-$2000 bonus
If you complete two or more eligible upgrades, you may qualify for bonus offers of up to $2,000.
| OFFER | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Two Upgrade Bonus | Install any two eligible upgrades within 18 months and receive a $300 bonus. |
| Home Energy Improvement Bonus |
|
| EnerGuide Home Evaluation Rebate |
|
City of Richmond’s High-Performance Incentives
Effective March 16, 2021, dwellings built to the upper tiers of the BC Energy Step Code or the Passive House Standard are eligible for various incentives including reduced fees and floor area exemptions.
For more information, see the following City of Richmond Bylaws:
- Richmond Zoning Bylaw No. 8500, Amendment Bylaw No. 10237: Floor Area Exclusions for High-Performance Single Family and Duplex Housing
- Building Regulation Bylaw No. 7230, Amendment Bylaw No. 10238: Permit Fee Incentives for High-Performance Single Family and Duplex Housing
For more information about the Passive House Standard, see Passive House Canada’s website.
| Performance Level | Incentives | Comments |
| Step 4* (BC Energy Step Code) |
Area Exemption equivalent to 5% of maximum permitted Floor Area Ratio for additional wall insulation only and up to 2.35 m2 for mechanical equipment (HRV); 50% Building Permit fee refund at Final. |
Permit fee refund only available until Step 4 becomes the minimum requirement (~2022). |
| Step 5* (BC Energy Step Code) |
Area Exemption equivalent to 5% of maximum permitted Floor Area Ratio for additional wall insulation only and up to 5.0 m2 for mechanical equipment (HRV); 100% Building Permit fee refund at Final. |
Permit fee refund only available until Step 5 becomes the minimum requirement (~2025). |
| Certified Passive House | Area Exemption equivalent to 10% of maximum permitted Floor Area Ratio (46.0 m2 max) and up to 5.0 m2 for mechanical equipment (HRV); 100% Building Permit fee refund at Final. |
– |
* Only the absolute Thermal Energy Demand Intensity targets for meeting the envelope performance
requirements are allowed. See BC Building Code 2018, Revision 2.
requirements are allowed. See BC Building Code 2018, Revision 2.
Application and Verification Procedures
- Prior to submitting the Building Permit application:
- Energy Step Code 4 or 5: the applicant must submit a request letter to the Director of Building Approvals, along with the Pre-Construction Energy Step Code Compliance Report and supporting documents as per the City of Richmond bulletin (Building-38). The request letter must detail the requested floor area exemptions and provide a rationale for each item. Upon verification of compliance of the Proposed House with the applicable Step, the Manager of Plan Review will provide an Incentive Authorization Letter outlining the granted incentives. A copy of this letter must be included in the full Building Permit application package.
- Certified Passive House: A request letter must be submitted to the Director of Building Approvals, along with a letter from a Certified Passive House Designer attesting to the Passive House performance of the proposed design, and a letter from a Passive House Certifier, assuring that if built as designed, the proposed house will achieve Passive House Certification. The request letter must detail all the requested floor area exemptions and the rationale for each item. Upon review of the request letter and supporting documents, a meeting will be arranged by the Manager of Plan Review to discuss the exemption request with the applicant. Other staff from Building Approvals and other departments may be present at the meeting, at the discretion of the Manager
of Plan Review. After the meeting, and pending any justification or clarification requested during the meeting, the Manager of Plan Review will provide an Incentive Authorization Letter outlining the granted incentives. A copy of this letter must be included in the full Building Permit application package.
2. Prior to requesting Final Building Inspection:
- Energy Step Code 4 or 5: As-built Energy Step Code Compliance Report confirming compliance with Step 4 or Step 5, as applicable, and supporting documents as per the City of Richmond bulletin Building-38.
- Certified Passive House: Confirmation of Certification.
3. Building Permit fee refunds will be issued upon successful completion of Final Inspection.
CleanBC Better Homes New Construction Program
The CleanBC Better Homes New Construction Program provides rebates up to $15,000 for the construction of new, high-performance, electric homes. Through the CleanBC plan, the Province is supporting the adoption of the BC Energy Step Code and making energy efficient, climate-friendly homes more affordable and accessible for British Columbians.
Available Rebates
Choose your rebate pathway:
- Energy Step Code pathway: build a new home that meets a minimum BC Energy Step code level and uses electric space and water heating systems.
OR - Heat pump pathway: build a new home that uses an electric heat pump for space heating or water heating, regardless of Energy Step Code level.
Choose your add-on rebates:
- All-Electric Bonus: build a home with no fossil fuel (e.g. natural gas, propane, oil) connection whatsoever (including for cooking, fireplaces, or other uses) and receive an additional $4,000 per home.
- Energy Advisor Support Rebate: work with a Program Qualified Energy Advisor and receive an additional $1,000 per home.
Energy Step Code Pathway
Build a home to BC Energy Step Code 3 or higher using electric space and water heating systems.
| ESC Step | Rebate | Energy Advisor Support Rebate | All-Electric Bonus (optional) |
| Step 3 | $4,000 | $1,000 per individually modelled home or unit
|
$4,000 per home or unit |
| Step 4 | $6,000 | ||
| Step 5 | $10,000 |
Heat Pump Pathway
Build a home that uses an electric heat pump for space heating or water heating.
| Heat Pump Type | Requirements | Rebate | Energy Advisor Support Rebate (optional) | All-Electric Bonus (optional) |
| Air source heat pump | Variable speed mini-split, multi- split, or central (Tier 2) air source heat pump
HSPF ≥9.3, SEER ≥16 Must be on the Qualifying Product List |
$3,000 | $1,000 per individually modelled home or unit
|
$4,000 per home or unit |
| Air-to-water hydronic heat pump | Must be on the Qualifying Product List | $3,000 | ||
| Combined space and water heat pump | Must be on the Qualifying Product List | $4,000 | ||
| Heat pump water heater | Must be on the Qualifying Product List | $1,000 |
- You are eligible for a maximum of one primary space heating system rebate and one primary water heating system rebate per home or unit, regardless of the number of systems installed.
Eligibility Requirements
- The program is open to builders, developers and owner builders who are building a new home in B.C.
- Homes must be constructed in compliance with Part 9 of the BC Building Code and, where applicable, the municipally-adopted minimum BC Energy Step Code requirement.
- The home must be one of the following building types:
- Single-family home
- Laneway home
- Duplex
- Row/townhome
- The new home must be located in BC Hydro or New Westminster Electrical Utility service territory.
- Builders participating in the Energy Step Code pathway or applying for the Energy Advisor Support Rebate or All-Electric Bonus in the Heat Pump pathway must work with a Program Qualified Energy Advisor.
- You must receive a building permit for the home(s) on or after April 1, 2020.
- You must receive pre-approval for the program by submitting a pre-registration form.
Additional requirements apply. Confirm eligibility by reviewing the Rebate Eligibility Requirements and Terms and Conditions.
How to Apply
- Carefully read the Rebate Eligibility Requirements and Terms and Conditions to confirm your eligibility.
- Fill out and submit the pre-registration form. Within 30 days of submitting this form, we’ll send you an email with the status of your submission.
- Complete your project within 12 months of the date of your pre-approval confirmation email. If 12 months have passed, submit a new pre-registration form.
- Submit the post-construction application and required supporting documentation:
- As-Built BC Energy Compliance Report and EnerGuide (N) Evaluation Homeowner Information Sheet for the Energy Step Code pathway, All-Electric Bonus and Energy Advisor Support Rebate;
- Passive House certified homes to submit the Passive House Planning Package in lieu of the EnerGuide (N) Evaluation Homeowner Information Sheet.
OR - Heat pump installation invoice for the heat pump pathway. See sample invoices.
- Passive House certified homes to submit the Passive House Planning Package in lieu of the EnerGuide (N) Evaluation Homeowner Information Sheet.
- As-Built BC Energy Compliance Report and EnerGuide (N) Evaluation Homeowner Information Sheet for the Energy Step Code pathway, All-Electric Bonus and Energy Advisor Support Rebate;
See The Heat Program
This program enables you to sign out a thermal imaging camera that connects to your smartphone to learn about the heat loss inside your home. The thermal imaging camera will allow you to see how well your home is insulated, how well doors and windows are sealed, what plug in’s and outlets are leaky and the effect of leaving chimney flues open when not in use.
This program is free to all Library card holders.
Indigenous Communities Conservation Program
Indigenous communities (Bands) can get training, free energy-saving products and rebates to implement home energy upgrades for their community members.
Building envelope (air sealing, insulation, windows and doors) Incentives:
| Attic insulation and draftproofing | $0.05 per R-value added/sq foot (Minimum R12 added) | Maximum $1,800 |
| Basement/crawlspace insulation and draftproofing | $0.20 per R-value added per square foot (Minimum R10 added) | Maximum $2,000 |
| Exterior wall cavity insulation | $0.20 per R-value added per square foot (Minimum R12 added) | Maximum $2,000 |
| Exterior wall sheathing insulation | $0.20 per R-value added per square foot (Minimum R3.8 added) | Maximum $2,000 |
| Other insulation | $0.125 per R-value added per square foot (Minimum R20 added) | Maximum $1,500 |
Residential Energy Rebate Program
Back for a limited time, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is making it easier for homeowners to reduce monthly utility costs with the Residential Energy Assessment Rebate Program.
The rebate program offers Whistler homeowners $250 towards an Energuide for Homes home energy evaluation, helping homeowners access hundreds or even thousands of dollars in utility program rebates-and ongoing reductions in monthly bills.
| EXISTING HOMES | |
| Initial Home Energy Assessment | $250 |
| Follow-Up Blower Door Test | $125 |
| NEW HOMES | |
| New Home Plan Evaluation | $250 |
Non-Profit and Aboriginal Housing Upgrades
Non-profit housing providers and aboriginal communities can get free help upgrading their housing units with energy efficient products to help tenants and members save on their electricity costs and improve their overall comfort.
All upgrades are completed by a professional contractor at no cost to you or your tenants. The contractor will evaluate each home’s efficiency to determine the necessary upgrades. They’ll also provide tenants with tips for how they further reduce their electricity use.
Available upgrades
Single-family detached homes, townhomes, row homes, duplexes, apartments and mobile homes are all eligible. The exact upgrades installed will be determined by the housing type and individual characteristics of each home.
| HOUSING TYPE | AVAILABLE UPGRADES |
|---|---|
| Single-family detached |
|
| Row/townhome/duplex |
|
| Mobile home |
|
| Apartment/condo |
|
Fortis BC Insulation Rebates
| Upgrade location | Rebate | Minimum R-value added1 |
|---|---|---|
| Attic – flat and cathedral ceiling | $0.02 x square feet x R-value, up to $900 | R12 |
| Exterior wall cavities | $0.09 x square feet x R-value, up to $1,200 | R12 |
| Exterior wall sheathing | $0.09 x square feet x R-value, up to $1,200 | R3.8 |
| Basement/crawlspace walls | $0.09 x square feet x R-value, up to $1,200 | R10 |
| Other – exposed floor or floor over basement/crawlspace | $0.07 x square feet x R-value, up to $1,000 | R20 |
How to Apply
1. Apply online within six months of completing your installations with the following information:
- your FortisBC natural gas and/or electricity account number, or municipal electricity account number from Grand Forks, Penticton, Summerland or Nelson Hydro
- your email
- scanned copies of all paid invoices showing details of all work performed, including the purchase date, make, model and installation permit numbers (if applicable). Invoices for insulation rebate applications should indicate the location(s) of installation, type of insulation (batt, loose fill, board or spray foam), the R-value of new insulation added and the total amount of insulation added in square feet.
2. If you’re not the utility account holder (e.g. property is a rental), have the account holder complete the consent form.
3. Applications may take up to 90 days to process.
Fortis BC Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP)
A program for lower-income earners.
- Free home energy evaluation
- Free installation of energy saving products (including insulation in attics, walls, and crawlspaces)
- Free energy efficiency advice
Clean BC
Rebates are calculated based on the R-value of new insulation added and not the total combined final R-value of the new and pre-existing insulation, including in cases where the pre-existing insulation is removed.
| Location Installed | Rebate Amount | Minimum R-value Added | Maximum Rebate |
| Attic – flat and cathedral ceiling | $0.02 x R-value x square feet | R12 | $900 |
| Exterior wall cavities | $0.09 x R-value x square feet | R12 | $1,200 |
| Exterior wall sheathing | $0.09 x R-value x square feet | R3.8 | $1,200 |
| Basement/crawlspace walls | $0.09 x R-value x square feet | R10 | $1,200 |
| Other (exposed floor, floor over crawlspace*, basement header) | $0.07 x R-value x square feet | R20 | $1,000 |
*Rebate available for crawlspace walls OR floor over crawlspace, but not both.
East Kootenay District: Kimberley Energy Efficient Building Incentive Program
Offered by the City of Kimberley, the program offers financial incentives to existing and new buildings.
- Existing buildings: 1% building permit rebate for every EnerGuide (EG) point improvement
- New builds: building permit fee rebate based on the achieved EG rating
- EG 78-79: 10% rebate
- EG 80-82: 20% rebate
- EG 83-85: 40% rebate
- EG 86-90: 60% rebate
- EG 91-100: 80% rebate
Nanaimo and Lantzville District Home Energy Assessment
The Regional District of Nanaimo offers the following incentives to its residents:
- $150 rebate for an initial home energy assessment resulting in an EnerGuide (EG) rating;
- $10 per EG rating point improvement ($200 maximum).
Nelson EcoSave Energy Retrofits Program
The City of Nelson and Nelson Hydro have partnered up to offer homeowners the following for retrofit upgrades:
- Free post-energy assessment (value $150);
- 3.5% on-bill financing, amortized 5-10 years with a one-time dispersal fee of $100.
Energy Save New West
The City of New Westminster is offering homeowners a limited number of pre-upgrade energy assessments for $60 (total savings of $240). The assessments help identify available incentives and rebates for energy upgrades through BC Hydro and FortisBC.
Insulation rebates up to $5500 available through the program for existing homes.
Saanich Step Code Rebate
\The Step Code Implementation Rebate is intended to assist builders with the costs of an energy advisor and mid-construction blower door test during the early phases of the BC Energy Step Code requirement in Saanich.
One $500 rebate is available per building permit application in the District of Saanich until Dec 31, 2020 or until funds are exhausted.
City of Kamloops Step Code Incentive Program
Projects are eligible for the incentive that corresponds with the step that is achieved according to the as-built form that the energy advisor completes.
| Step Achieved | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step One | Step Two | Step Three | Step Four | Step Five | |
| Incentive | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 |
City of Kelowna Energy Step Code Building Permit Rebates
The City of Kelowna is offering $500 – $1,000 building permit fee rebates for achieving Step 4 and 5 of the BC Energy Step Code until May 31, 2021.
For new Part 9 residential homes with building permits issued after and including May 20, 2019:
| Step Code Level Achieved | Rebate |
| Step 4 | $500 |
| Step 5 | $1,000 |
City of Kimberley Energy Efficient Building Incentive Program
New buildings with Building Permits issued after January 1, 2018 are eligible for an initial rebate of $500 off the Building Permit cost to offset the fees associated with hiring an energy advisor.
| BC Energy Step Code Level | Rebate Amount (% of Building Permit Fee) |
| Step 2 | 10% |
| Step 3 | 20% |
| Step 4 | 40% |
| Step 5 | 60% |
FortisBC New Home Program
Option A – Build a Home to BC Energy Step Code 2 or higher
| Home performance rebate | Energy advisor support rebate | Additional rebates |
| Step 2 – $1,000 |
|
|
| Step 3 – $2,000 | ||
| Step 4 – $4,000 | ||
| Step 5 – $8,000 |
Nanaimo Sustainable Development Checklist Rebate
There are three levels to rebates that are available:
| Level 1 | $500 |
| Level 2 | $750 |
| Level 3 | $1,000 |
Rebates are administered based on which minimum score your home must achieve in order to qualify for the incentive. The minimum score is based on the square footage of the home, and how many bedrooms the home has.
Your score is calculated as:
- EnerGuide Rating + Bonus Points = Total Score
Bonus Points are points acquired with the Sustainable Development Checklist. Homeowners and owner-builders can pursue additional points through two different options to achieve a higher Checklist score:
- Option A: Shortcut. The project has achieved an eligible building standard, including LEED or ENERGY STAR®.
- Option B: Step-by-step. The project receives points for including energy efficiency upgrades in the project.
Vancouver
City of Vancouver Home Renovation Rebates
| Individual Upgrades | Rebate |
|---|---|
| Insulation (attic, basement crawlspace, exterior wall cavity/sheathing) | Up to $5,500 |
| ENERGY STAR® windows/doors | Up to $3,000 |
| Air source heat pump | Up to $9,000 |
| Natural gas ENERGY STAR furnace | Up to $700 |
| Natural gas ENERGY STAR boiler | $1,000 |
| Electric heat pump water heater | $1,000 |
| Natural gas water heater | Up to $1,000 |
| Natural gas combination heating and hot water system | $1,500 |
| EnerChoice® fireplac | $300 per un |
Heritage Energy Retrofit (Pilot Program)
A maximum of $10,000 is available per home towards qualifying retrofits or a maximum of $14,000 per home if fuel switching from gas or oil to an electric air source heat pump is included with other retrofits. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions while respecting the heritage fabric and character-defining elements of participating homes in Vancouver. Retrofits can improve the comfort of your older home, reduce your energy bills and reduce impact on the environment.
The Heritage Energy Retrofit Grant program is currently at capacity, new applications will be assessed for eligibility and then placed on a waitlist until funding is available.