Owners of homes and commercial buildings in British Columbia are being encouraged to improve their home’s energy efficiency.
The provincial government has announced its new CleanBC efficiency rebates as part of the Better Buildings program, which launched in December 2018 and includes commitments to raise standards for new construction and encourage energy-saving improvements in existing homes and workplaces.
It provides up to $14,100 for a home and up to $220,000 for a commercial premises to switch to high-efficiency heating equipment and to make building envelope improvements, while saving energy and reducing greenhouse gases.
Incentives to help people switch to high-efficiency electric heat pumps for space heating have increased by $1,000, bringing the total rebate to $3,000, with additional incentives available in some municipalities.
Similar incentives to upgrade doors and windows also increased by $1,000, bringing the total rebate for those upgrades to $2,000.
Commercial building owners can receive up to $20,000 to complete energy studies that identify cost-effective improvements to their building and up to $200,000 for the improvements themselves.
Cleaner future
“We’re boosting heat pumps and other smart technologies because energy-efficient buildings are a key part of our cleaner future,” said Michelle Mungall, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “This program will help us get to our CleanBC goal of reducing climate pollution, making B.C. cleaner and creating good jobs that support families and sustain our communities.”
Premier John Horgan added that the rebates will help BC move towards a “cleaner, better future.”
“Helping people keep their homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter makes sense, and the efficiency they’re investing in will help B.C. reduce climate pollution,” added Mr Horgan.
