New home construction rebates

FortisBC adopted the BC Energy Step Code as the energy performance standard for the New Home Program. Build a home more energy efficient than the minimum BC Building Code requirements and you can qualify for a home performance rebate ranging from $1,000 to $8,000.

Or you can pick and choose from a variety of rebates such as high-efficiency natural gas water heaters and fireplaces. Homes located in the electricity service area are also eligible for ENERGY STAR® appliance and heat pump water heater rebates.

Eligibility

To qualify for rebates through this program, the home(s) must be:

new construction
built in FortisBC’s natural gas or electricity service areas
a maximum of four storeys high
one of the following:
- detached house (may include a secondary suite)
- attached house (e.g. semi-detached, townhouses, duplexes, triplexes, row house or attached house with or without a secondary suite)
- laneway home

Review all the terms and conditions.

Rebate details

Choose from either option A or B below. And for projects located in FortisBC’s electricity service area, additional ENERGY STAR appliance rebates are also available.

Option A

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) and qualify for:

home performance rebates ranging from $1,000 to $8,000
energy advisor evaluation rebates
natural gas fireplaces and dryers and drain water heat recovery rebates

See the BC Energy Step Code requirement in the community you’re building in. Then view the home performance rebate for each step below.

Home Performance Rebate	Energy Advisor Support Rebate	Additional Rebates
Step 2 – $1,000	We provide $500 total in energy advisor support:	ENERGY STAR natural gas dryer – $100
Step 3 – $2,000	mid-construction – the energy advisor receives $100	EnerChoice® natural gas fireplace – $300
Step 4 – $4,000	construction completed – the builder receives $400	Drain water heat recovery system – $250
Step 5 – $8,000¹		Connected Thermostats – $100

Option B

Build a home to minimum code or BC Energy Step Code 1 and you can pick and choose from a variety of rebates, including:

high-efficiency water heater rebates
energy advisor evaluation rebates
natural gas fireplaces and dryers and drain water heat recovery rebates

Eligible High-Efficiency Water Heaters	Energy Advisor Support Rebate²	Additional Rebates
ENERGY STAR 0.67 EF storage tank – $200	Provide $500 total in energy advisor support:	ENERGY STAR natural gas dryer – $100
ENERGY STAR condensing tankless – $1,000	mid-construction – the energy advisor receives $100	EnerChoice® natural gas fireplace – $300
ENERGY STAR natural gas combination heating and hot water system – $1,200	Construction completed – the builder receives $400	Connected Thermostats – $100
P9 combination heating and hot water system – $1,200
Heat Pump water heater – $1,000¹

Electric appliance rebates³

If your project is located in FortisBC’s electricity service area, additional rebates are also available on ENERGY STAR washers, electric dryers and fridges.

ENERGY STAR appliances
Eligible washers – $100 Eligible electric dryers – $100 to $250 Eligible fridges – $50 to $100 Heat pump water heater – $1,000³ (available only when choosing option B above)

ENERGY STAR appliances

Eligible washers – $100

Eligible electric dryers – $100 to $250

Eligible fridges – $50 to $100

Heat pump water heater – $1,000³
(available only when choosing option B above)

How to apply

For home performance rebates

Before construction begins, contact your FortisBC natural gas energy solutions manager or electricity technical advisors to put you in touch with an energy advisor. We’ll also help you in the design and planning stage, and support you along the way to help you achieve the desired step code.
Complete a pre-construction, mid-construction (if required) and completion consultation with your energy advisor.
Your energy advisor has all the necessary tools and will submit the application on your behalf within six months of the issuance of the building occupancy permit.

For appliance and water heater rebates

Select the applicable application(s):
- Natural gas appliances and systems application
  (e.g. water heater, dryer, fireplace and drain water heat recovery)
- Electric appliances and systems application³
  (e.g. fridge, washer, dryer, heat pump water heater and drain water heat recovery)
Be sure to include copies of paid purchase invoices, which include the purchase date and make and model numbers of appliances.
Submit your application:
- For natural gas appliances and systems, email your application and supporting documents to newhome@consumer-response.com.
- For electric appliances and systems, email your application and supporting documents to electricrebates@fortisbc.com.
If you qualify, we’ll mail you the rebate. Please allow up to 90 days to process.

Additional resources

Learn more about the benefits of building high performance homes through BC Housing’s Local Energy Efficiency Partnership video series.

Original: https://tinyurl.com/y3b3edsh

Pacific Aerobarrier is here to help

Pacific AeroBarrier can assist Builders in Greater Vancouver achieve the airtightness requirements and qualify for a home performance rebate. Contact us now and see how we can assist you with the rebates. info@pacificaerobarrier.com

¹Pre-approval from FortisBC is required.
²While an energy evaluation is not required to access option B rebates, it is recommended.
³Electric heat pump water heater and electric appliance rebates are only available in FortisBC’s electricity service area (includes Grand Forks, Penticton, Summerland and Nelson Hydro).