Resources

For Home Owners

EnerGuide Home Evaluations

Use your EnerGuide evaluation reports to guide your decisions. The reports are your home’s personalized roadmap to lower utility bills and more home comfort. The EnerGuide label stays with the home and boosts its resale value.

Important: Don’t start the work before receiving your EnerGuide rating; doing so makes some retrofits ineligible.

Homeowners need a road map to make good decisions for home upgrades that improve home comfort and energy efficiency. The scope and detail in the EnerGuide report show interconnections and priorities for improvements. An Energy Advisor does not recommend contractors or sell products. The unbiased EnerGuide report educates homeowners to help make good upgrade decisions and apply for grants and rebates to reduce costs. It all starts with an EnerGuide home evaluation. This is a 2-3 hour on-site evaluation performed by an Energy Advisor. Final reports, EnerGuide ratings and the label are sent within 2 weeks.

An EnerGuide label is your home’s energy efficiency evaluation rating that remains with the property, benefiting resale value. Conducted by a registered energy advisor, the evaluation of the building envelope and mechanical systems includes a blower door test to determine air leakage points. The comprehensive evaluation opens eligibility for grants, loans, and rebates.

To learn more, see government website​.

The EnerGuide Label informs and adds value to your home.

Credit to: natural-resources.canada.ca

For Home Owners

Canada Greener Homes Loan

The Canada Greener Homes Loan offers up to $40,000 in interest-free financing for energy-efficient retrofits.

Important: Don’t start the work before getting an EnerGuide evaluation; doing so makes retrofits ineligible.

The Canada Greener Homes Loan, part of the Canada Greener Homes Initiative, offers interest-free financing for energy-efficient retrofits. With a maximum of $40,000 and a 10-year repayment term, the loan supports eligible retrofits recommended by an energy advisor. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, own and live in their primary residence, and meet specific criteria. The loan process involves pre-retrofit evaluation, planning retrofits, submitting the loan application, completing retrofits, obtaining a post-retrofit evaluation, and requesting the final loan advance. Do not start retrofits before initial loan approval.

Click here for a list of eligible Greener Homes Program upgrades.

To learn more and get free loan application support see government website​.

The Canada Greener Homes Grant Program was closed to new applicants on Feb 12, 2024. Homeowners who registered in the Grant Program before Feb 12 can still submit grant requests.

Up to $40,000 Interest-Free Loan from the Canada Greener Homes Program

For Home Owners

CleanBC Better Homes

CleanBC Better Homes rebates are incentives provided to homeowners for making energy-efficient upgrades to their homes.

The CleanBC Home Renovation Program, funded by BC Hydro, FortisBC, and the Province of BC, offer rebates for various energy-efficient upgrades. Open to BC residents with utility accounts, the program covers various improvements, from heat pumps to insulation. Eligibility requires living in a qualified home at least 12 months old, and upgrades must be installed by licensed contractors. See program details here for upgrades requiring installation by a HPCN registered contractor.

The application deadline is six months from the upgrade invoice date, promoting a sustainable and energy-efficient living environment.

Click here for a list of eligible upgrades.

To learn more, see government website​.

The CleanBC Better Homes Energy Savings Program is an enhanced Income Qualified program launched June 18, 2024. Distinct from the Home Renovation Program (above) it requires pre-registration before any upgrade work is done.

CleanBC rebates can be stacked with the Greener Homes Loan. Homeowners can pick only one of the above two CleanBC programs to access. Details here.

Save $10,000+ in Energy Upgrade Rebates as an Existing Homeowner

For New Home Builders

BC Energy Step Code

The BC Energy Step Code is a performance-based approach for builders to incrementally improve energy efficiency in new construction projects.

Welcome to the Future of Building Efficiency: Starting May 1, 2023, the BC Building Code now requires a STEP Code 3 minimum performance level. This is 20% better energy efficiency than 2018 codes in low-rise residential (Part 9) buildings, a big step towards cleaner, greener construction. The Pathway to 2032 Net Zero ready  Step Code empowers local governments to exceed provincial requirements for cleaner buildings. Check your municipality building code regulations for details. Some municipalities have moved to Step 4 or higher now. This change brings lasting improved health, comfort, climate leadership, job opportunities, and lower energy bills for new residential buildings.

To learn more, see government website​.

Helping Home Builders Achieve Step Code 3 and Beyond

Credit to: energystepcode.ca

For New Home Builders

BC Zero Carbon Step Code

The BC Energy Step Code is a second performance-based approach for builders to reach zero emissions by 2030. This will improve efficiency and lower operation costs in new buildings.

The Zero Carbon Step Code is also based on different, measurable Steps, but is a distinct metric from the Energy Step Code. In general terms, these Carbon Steps can be referred to as:

Moderate Carbon Performance (EL-2)

Strong Carbon Performance (EL-3)

Zero Carbon Performance (EL-4)

Today, municipalities can choose to require one of these 3 steps to get a building permit or they may require only a ‘Measure Only’ level.

To learn more, see government website​.