HVAC: Residential Refrigeration Mechanic

1. Residential Refrigeration [Certification]?? Tell us more please.
2. We have a commercial refrigeration company, all certified journeymen, do we have to get another ticket? If you have a red seal in refrigeration and HVAC is this still needed?
3. Will their be monitoring and inspections related to this new certification?

1. See event recording above at 30:45 for live response.
2. See event recording above at 32:28 for live response.
3. See event recording above at 1:13:28 for live response.

1. Is there anywhere to get a list of HPCN members? I know there is a list on CleanBC but it doesn't identify the HPCN.
2. This list was updated on March 31 - when will it be updated again?

1. HPCN members are listed in the CleanBC Better Homes "Find-a-Contractor" search tool. This search tool only displays HPCN members (for heat pumps and windows) or HPCN/PRC members (for insulation). The HPSC will look at ways to better communicate this to contractors and homeowners.
2. The search tool is updated weekly with the list of HPCN members.

Since this is an equipment related matter, the HPSC deferred to TECA and HRAI's joint response to the Province of BC.

Heat Pump/Fuel-Switching Rebates

1. If I start a heat pump installation before July 1 but not yet on the list of contractors, will my customer still receive the rebate
   
2. There is interest in dual-fuel heat pumps in our market, however I understand they are often not qualified for CleanBC incentives as they may not have an AHRI number unless both the furnace and heat pump are from same manufacturer. However, in some case, customers have a relatively new furnace and looking to upgrade their air conditioning to a heat pump; in this case, we have heard from local industry that incentives won't be available to residents (unless they upgraded both units, which undermines the incentive benefit).
3. Are there rebates for upgrading electrical panels to install heat pumps?
4. Is there any rebates for switching from a 80% gas fired boiler to high efficient boilers and or combi boilers and water heaters?
5. Sometimes we have temperatures in our area that dip below -35 so fossil fuel or electric baseboards must be used as secondary heat - do our customers qualify for rebates?
6. Can we use Lennox Manual J heat loss heat gain calculation program for Clean BC rebates?

1. Yes, as of July 1, 2022 invoice date, contractors must be an HPCN member for their customers to be eligible for the rebates. If the work is completed and invoiced beforehand, the customer has 6 months to apply for the rebate and would be eligible.
2. See event recording above at 1:16:40 for live response.
3. If the customer is fuel-switching from propane, oil, or natural gas to an electric heat pump then yes, there is a $500 electric service top-up rebate from CleanBC. They can only access this rebate if they are installing a heat pump or a heat pump water heater (when converting from fossil fuel).
4. Full rebate details are available at FortisBC.com/boiler, but it's $1000 for a 94% AFUE boiler and $1200 for the combination systems (and they may be eligible for the $300 two upgrade bonus if they have not received it previously)
5. You can see the dual fuel rebate details here.
   
6. The heat load calculation requirement can be found here.

Window and Door Rebates

1. To confirm, HPCN membership is not mandatory for Home Renovation Rebate Program window rebates as of yet?
2. We are going through the training process to be able to offer CleanBC rebates (for window installations). Can we sell these jobs, as able to claim this grant, even though we're not on the list yet?

1. Correct, it is not required yet. It is something the partners are looking to do in the future so we encourage contractors to become members of the HPCN sooner rather than later
2. For the CleanBC Income Qualified Program, you must be registered as an CleanBC Income Qualified Program contractor to promote that offer. You must complete your HPCN registration prior to being eligible for that program as well. The general CleanBC window rebates, you are not currently required to be an HPCN member, but it will come in the future.

1. Do homes that are rented to full time long term rentals qualify for rebates / grants as they are primary home tenants
2. Follow-up: To confirm, a tenant can get an upgrade and pay for it themselves if they are the utility account holder?
   
   

1. The provincial rebate programs pay the rebate to the utility account holder. If the utility bill is not in the homeowner's name, the renter will need to sign a utility account holder consent form. Then the homeowner can access the rebates available, because the rebates are between the utility account holder and the program partner. Follow-up with the Federal Greener Homes program directly for information on their requirements.
2. Correct.