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

Federal ecoENERGY Program

Effective March 31, 2010, the ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes program is no longer accepting bookings for pre-retrofit evaluations. The program will continue to be administered until March 31, 2011. If you have already booked an appointment for a pre-retrofit evaluation, have completed an evaluation or applied for re-entry to the program, you remain eligible to apply for a grant.

LiveSmart BC Program

BC's 2010 budget includes $35 million in new funding over three years for the LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program. The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources is currently working with its utility partners to finalize the structure of the new program.  Check out the online guide for eligible improvements.

Here's how to take advantage of the up to $4,515 available in incentives:

Step 1

Have a certified energy advisor assess your home. Book your $175 pre-renovation assessment.
Consult the list below for Vancouver advisors (current as of May 2010) or click here to find current advisors in your area:

AmeriSpec of Canada	866.284.6010
Building Insight Technologies	877.732.9888
City Green	604.255.5734
Energy Wise Solutions	604.777.7741
HomeTech Energy Solutions	778.839.4545
Mr Home Inspector	604.837.3603
Sage Energy Solutions	604.495.6757
Ridge Energy Consultant	604.678.5746
The EnerGuy	877.636.3748

 

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-$150)
You have up to March 31, 2011 to schedule a post-renovation assessment and qualify for rebates.

Downloads:

• City of Vancouver's brochure, poster and presentation
• LiveSmart BC website, incentive guide

Save on taxes

Provincial tax exemptions

Tax exemptions are offered for the purchase of select energy-efficient equipment and materials. The Province of British Columbia does not charge PST on approved efficient furnaces, boilers and heat pumps (85% seasonal efficiency or higher), insulation, storm windows, storm doors, weather-stripping, caulking, window-insulating systems, separate multi-glazed windows and doors (including garage doors) containing multi-glazed windows. Make sure you advise store personnel that the tax should be taken off at time of purchase.

For more information, call the Consumer Taxation Branch at 604.660.4524 in Vancouver, or toll-free at 1.877.388.4440 outside the Lower Mainland.

Save on financing options

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 77)
• purchase or renovate a home by making energy-saving improvements that increase your Energuide rating by a minimum of five 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 Terasen Gas for a current list of rebate options available in your area.

Save on solar water heaters

SolarBC is offering a $2,000 point-of-sale discount to individual households on solar hot water installations. SolarBC incentives, instituted in June 2008, can be combined with an additional $125 from the LiveSmart BC Program, make for big savings. To ensure a high level of customer care, the discount is available only on systems installed by contractors registered with SolarBC.

Building a new home? Check out the Vancouver Solar Homes Pilot.

Benefit from a free energy assessment

For condos that spend more than $20,000 a year on energy costs Terasen Gas is offering a free energy assessment. Here's how the process works:

• Download the appropriate form and complete it
• Fax your form to Terasen Gas
• Upon application approval, Terasen Gas will send an energy consultant to your business 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

In addition to PST exemption, the 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.

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.