The provincial government is doubling CleanBC Better Homes retrofit rebates for select home heating and energy efficiency upgrades.
“With many people continuing to work from home due to the pandemic, we're doubling popular CleanBC rebates for select home energy retrofits and upgrades,” stated Bruce Ralston, minister of energy, mines and low carbon innovation, in a media release. “Together with our partners, we are helping families switch from fossil fuels to clean energy and make their homes as efficient, comfortable and affordable as possible.”
Select residential rebates to switch to high-efficiency heating equipment have increased as follows until June 30, 2021:
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Double the rebate from $3,000 to $6,000 when switching from a fossil fuel heating system to a high-efficiency heat pump;
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Double the rebate from $1,000 to $2,000 when switching from a fossil fuel water heater to a heat pump water heater;
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Double the rebate from $500 to $1,000 for an electrical service upgrade when switching from a fossil fuel heating system to a heat pump; and
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A $3,000 rebate on an interest-free loan when switching from a fossil fuel heating system to a high-efficiency heat pump and accessing the CleanBC low-interest financing program.
Applicants must preregister for a promo code by March 31, 2021, and complete their upgrades by June 30, 2021, to participate.
People who want to switch from fossil fuel-based heating to more energy-efficient heat pumps also have access to low-interest financing as part of CleanBC. Depending on the type and efficiency of heat pump chosen by homeowners, the loans have interest rates as low as 0 per cent over a five-year repayment period. The double rebate offer is being matched for the low-interest financing program for a limited time.
“People want affordable options to heat their homes with clean energy to reduce pollution and help address climate change,” stated minister of environment and climate change strategy George Heyman. “By doubling our support through CleanBC, we're helping people improve the places they live with more incentives to make the switch to cleaner, more efficient technologies and supporting good jobs across the province as we recover from COVID-19.”
Homeowners will automatically receive a $3,000 rebate on their loan for an eligible heat pump installed before June 30, 2021, without the need to register for a promo code.
In 2019, 10 per cent of B.C. households were using heat pumps as their primary or secondary heating source, up from only three per cent in 2007.
For double the rebate offer details, including specifics on how to apply, go to https://betterhomesbc.ca/rebates/cleanbc-double-rebate/.
To learn more about the new low-interest financing program, go to https://betterhomesbc.ca/rebates/financing/.
