British Columbia Residential Financial Incentives 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

 

PROGRAM DETAILS

A new tax credit will make energy retrofits for multi-unit residential and commercial buildings more affordable, saving owners 5% on retrofits to help reduce their energy use.

Buildings eligible for the Clean Buildings Tax Credit include residential buildings, commercial spaces and warehouses in the private sector. Examples include office spaces, food retail and purpose-built rentals. 

The credit supports work involving building systems, such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning and building envelopes. 

To be eligible for the credit, building owners must work with a certified professional to determine that the energy use-intensity of their building has been reduced and is meeting made-in-B.C. targets through a qualifying retrofit before applying for certification with the Ministry of Finance. Qualified professionals include architects, a qualified energy adviser certified by Natural Resource Canada, and engineers.

 

PROGRAM DETAILS

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.	–

Application and Verification Procedures

1. 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. 

PROGRAM DETAILS

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 $800 to the builder $200 to the Energy Advisor	$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 Variable speed compressor Must be on the Qualifying Product List	$3,000	$1,000 per individually modelled home or unit $800 to the builder $200 to the Energy Advisor	$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

1. Carefully read the Rebate Eligibility Requirements and Terms and Conditions to confirm your eligibility.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

 

PROGRAM DETAILS

Eligibility for the Energy Efficient Building Incentive

• Applicants for new buildings must submit a EEBIP Application (see program website) and a copy of the pre-construction energy modelling and performance assessment report, completed by certified Energy Advisor, along with the building permit application package. A $500 discount will be applied to the Building Permit fee upon receipt of report confirming the building has been designed to comply with Energy Step Code requirements. A building permit will not be issued until a report confirming compliance has been submitted.
• A mid-construction air-tightness test must be completed to ensure that the construction is on track to meet the energy efficiency standard before air and vapour barriers are covered. This test will allow builders to identify and address any problem areas for air sealing prior to drywall installation. A $400 rebate will be issued after a report, completed by certified Energy Advisor, confirming compliance with the requirements of the Energy Step Code is submitted to the Building Official.
• After construction is completed, the actual energy use and efficiency of the building must be tested by the certified Energy Advisor to confirm the final energy performance rating. The post-construction assessment report must be submitted to the Building Official prior to request for final inspection and occupancy certificate.
• A building energy label containing information about the buildings’ energy use, efficiency rating, how the rating was calculated and where energy is consumed in the building must be posted in the building prior to issuance of occupancy certificate.

PROGRAM DETAILS

 

PROGRAM DETAILS

 

PROGRAM DETAILS

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

 

PROGRAM DETAILS

 

PROGRAM DETAILS

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.

PROGRAM DETAILS

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

 

PROGRAM DETAILS

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. 

PROGRAM DETAILS

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).

 

PROGRAM DETAILS

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.

 

PROGRAM DETAILS

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.

PROGRAM DETAILS

Build a home to BC Energy Step Code 2 or higher using natural gas space and water heating (or electricity space and water heating in FortisBC’s electricity service area) to qualify for home performance rebates of $3,000 to $10,000, program qualified energy advisor support rebates and more.

Note: projects in the City of Vancouver are subject to the performance standards of the Vancouver building bylaw.

³ Only available for homes built in FortisBC’s electricity service area, including Grand Forks, Penticton, Nelson and Summerland.

 

PROGRAM DETAILS

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.

 

PROGRAM DETAILS

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.
 

PROGRAM DETAILS