Incentive programs

We're making it easy and attractive for you to save energy. In addition to impressive financing options for energy-efficient home improvements, there are valuable grants and rebates also available to homeowners that can help offset the cost burden of making your home more energy efficient. Check out our list of available programs.

Get rebates for home energy improvements

NEW: Registration Closed for ecoENERGY Program

January 2012: The federal ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes program has reached its goal of 250,000 registered homeowners and is now closed to new registrations. By ending registration at this time, the program is confident that all currently registered homeowners will have the opportunity to apply for and receive a grant for their eligible retrofit upgrades.

To help ensure that program participants have the opportunity to complete their required post-retrofit evaluation and apply for a grant, the deadline to obtain the post-retrofit evaluation is now June 30, 2012.  All upgrades must still be completed by March 31, 2012 to be eligible. Only upgrades purchased and installed between the program eligibility dates of June 6, 2011 to March 31, 2012, will be considered for a grant and must be validated with receipts dated between those dates. As per current program requirements, failure to substantiate the dates of the retrofits will result in grant ineligibility.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LiveSmart BC Incentives

Step 1

Have a certified energy advisor assess your home. Book your pre-renovation assessment. (They will give you a "before" EnerGuide rating for your home - a good score will be about 80).
Consult the list below for Vancouver advisors (current as of April 2011) or click here to find current advisors in your area:

AmeriSpec of Canada	604.628.1600
Building Insight Technologies	877.732.9888
City Green	604.255.5734
Energy Wise Solutions	778.484.5002
HomeTech Energy Solutions	778.839.4545
Mr Home Inspector	604.837.3603
Sage Energy Solutions	604.495.6757
The EnerGuy	877.636.3748
Nationwide Energy Advisors The House Whisperers	888.477.9979 800.706.3013

 

Your energy advisor will provide:
• a walk through assessment of your home
• a customized report showing your home’s EnerGuide rating, recommended improvements

Step 2

Make home energy improvements
Decide which energy upgrades are right for your home and choose how you’ll do the work.

Step 3

Arrange an assessment to verify the improvements. (Cost $75-$175)
You have up to March 31, 2012 to schedule a post-renovation assessment and qualify for both ecoENERGY and LiveSmart BC rebates (or March 31, 2013 for LiveSmart BC rebates only).

More information:

• Incentive guide: LiveSmart BC
• FAQ sheet: LiveSmart BC
• ecoENERGY grant table (Program closed to new registrations)

Save on financing options

• New: Vancouver's Home Energy Loan Program offers loans at a low, fixed interest rate to support home energy efficiency upgrades. The Home Energy Loan Program is a simple solution for homeowners interested in lowering energy bills, reducing greenhouse gases and improving comfort in their homes. Energy savings from these upgrades could offset the majority of the upgrade costs. All single family or duplex homeowners in Vancouver are eligible for the loan.
• Vancity provides Bright Ideas Financing for home improvements that incorporate energy efficiency through the LiveSmart BC program. If your home's EnerGuide rating improves by a minimum of five points, you may be eligible for a low-interest renovation loan (at prime rate), in the range of $3,500-$20,000, for up to ten years. For more information about Bright Ideas financing, contact 1-888-VAN-CITY or visit Vancity's website.
• If you've recently purchased—or are planning to purchase—an energy efficient product or service for your home, you could qualify for the RBC Energy Saver Loan. Make a qualifying environmentally-friendly purchase and receive a 1% discount or a $100 home energy audit rebate on a fixed rate instalment loan over $5,000. Visit their website for details.

Save on your mortgage

The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation offers a 10% refund on its mortgage loan insurance premiums for financing to:

• purchase an energy efficient home (Energuide for Houses rating of 80)
• purchase or renovate a home by making energy-saving improvements that increase your EnerGuide rating by a minimum of five points (and achieve at least 40 points)

In addition, select financial institutions are offering a 35-year amortization for mortgages on homes that meet these same energy-saving criteria.

For more information, visit CMHC, call 1-800-668-2642 or enquire at your
local financial institution.

Cash-in on utility rebates

Both Terasen gas and BC Hydro's Power Smart Program offers coupons, rebates and incentives for energy-saving changes to lighting, windows, appliances and more. Visit BC Hydro Power Smart and Fortis BC for a current list of rebate options available in your area.

Save on solar water heaters

Vancouver's Solar Home Pilot is now offering a $3,000 rebate for solar hot water installations. This can be combined with an additional $500 from the LiveSmart BC Program, make for big savings. To ensure quality, the discount is available only on select systems installed by contractors registered with SolarBC.

Benefit from a free energy assessment

For condos that consume more than 2,000 GJ/year, Fortis BC is offering a free energy assessment. Here's how the process works:

• Download the appropriate form and complete it
• Fax your form to Fortis BC
• Upon application approval, Fortis BCwill send an energy consultant to your site to make energy-saving recommendations
• Lastly, you will receive the consultant's written assessment with suggestions regarding ways to improve your building's energy efficiency

Get energy conservation assistance

The Energy Conservation Assistance Program is for BC Hydro customers with higher electricity consumption who may not be able to afford to make their homes more energy efficient. Qualified applicants can receive a free home energy evaluation and energy efficiency upgrades to help reduce their consumption and save money on their bills.

BC Hydro also offers free energy saving kits to low-income households. Whether you rent or own, live in an apartment or house, this kit includes energy-reducing and money-saving options! It contains CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs), weather stripping, window insulator film, electrical outlet and switch sealers, fridge and freezer thermometres, a low-flow showerhead, tap aerators, and a nightlight. Looking for more ways to save? Check out their Save Energy Save Money brochure.

Save on windows

BC Hydro website lists current window offers related to energy efficient windows. Selecting the right windows will let you enjoy a more comfortable home and save energy. Find out more about EnergyStar qualified windows and doors.

$60 per Energy Star window is available in incentives through the LiveSmart BC Program.

Find incentives for your condo building

If you're seeking out incentives to improve your building's energy efficiency, visit the One Day at work - your building section.