This webinar was hosted by the HPSC on November 23, 2022, on behalf of the HPCN program partners: FortisBC, BC Hydro, and CleanBC.
This webinar is similar to the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island webinar but includes some additional information specific to offers for northern residents. You are encouraged to watch the recording that best suits your service area. You may find it helpful to review both Q&A transcripts.
Press the play button above to start the recording. You can also drag the progress bar to skip ahead to the sections outlines below.
0:00 - 2:00 - Introduction
2:01 - 4:08 - The HPSC and Rebate Programs
4:09 - 5:39 - Rebate Refresher and Update - Introduction
5:40 - 7:21 - Rebate Refresher and Update - Year in Review
7:22 - 25:02 - Understand the Rebates Available
25:03 - 26:01 - Become a Member of the HPCN
26:02 - 26:35 - Where Customers Can Find Your Approved Listing
26:36 - 29:42 - Install to Best Practices Standard
29:43 - 31:41 - Important Info for Invoices and Contact Information
33:35 - 50:33 - Q&A
Click here to download the presentation slides.
| BC Hydro | Home Renovation Rebate |
| CleanBC | Better Homes and Income Qualified Offer |
| FortisBC | Home Renovation Rebate |
Slide 6: List of rebate programs requiring HPCN membership
Slide 14: Qualified Heat Pump Product List
Slide 15: BC Hydro electricity consumption calculator
Slide 28: CleanBC Income Qualified Program
Slide 31: About the Home Performance Contractor Network
Slide 33: Contractor Directory
Slide 35: Best Practices Guide
Slide 40: Customer Application Form
Slide 43: Contractor Support Portal
Slide 47: Buildex Vancouver
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QUESTION
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RESPONSE
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| What would the income threshold be for income qualified customers? | These details can be found at https://betterhomesbc.ca/rebates/cleanbc-income-qualified-heat-pumps/ |
| Where are the areas for Fortis BC and BC Hydro? | There is a map that outlines FortisBC Electric Territory and BC Hydro territory. You can find it here - https://www.bchydro.com/content/dam/BCHydro/customer-portal/documents/corporate/safety/bchydro-service-area-map.pdf and https://www.fortisbc.com/about-us/corporate-information/our-service-areas |
| So there's 3 different programs they can get money from and that they have to apply with? | Yes, there is the Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program, the CleanBC Income Qualified Program and the Federal Greener Homes Grant program. Each rebate program has its own set of eligibility requirements and must be applied to separately. |
| Can we not run mechanical heat lower? | No, we require the set point for dual fuel systems, must be managed by a control thermostat. The thermostats must communicate with both the heat pump and furnace. We do not allow existing fossil fuel heating systems to be left in place in non-dual fuel scenarios. |
| Follow-up to above: no I was curious about running the heat pump to a lower temp leave the gas off | The switch-over set point temperature is required to be set at or lower, meaning the homeowner can set the switch-over set point at a lower temperature, but not higher than the program requires. |
| How long does it take for contractors to receive payment from [the Province for CleanBC IQP]? | Once an invoice is received from the contractor, CleanBC will review the application/invoice and payments are sent within about 5 - 15 business days. There are some instances where this may take longer, if the application requires further review/questions need to be answered. |
| We usually request a 50% deposit to cover a portion of equipment cost on all installations. It is hard for smaller companies to carry these costs. I guess this becomes more in regard to receiving funds from province? As you want install complete prior to paying out costs. | The CleanBC Income Qualified Program recommends that you receive the applicant's payment portion as the down payment. Any cost to finance the equipment between being ordered and installed should be managed by the contractor and supplier. |
| What should the balance point be for electric aux back up? | This is not managed by the program, but the heat pump should be used as much as possible, based on the manufacturer's tested data. This will help alleviate high operational electric resistance costs |
| Would an electric boiler coupled to a multi-zone system qualify for the rebates? | No, eligible dual fuel ducted heat pumps must have an AHRI number that lists the outdoor unit, indoor unit (coil) and furnace, and meets the HSPF and SEER requirements. Further details can be viewed at https://www.betterhomesbc.ca/rebates/dual-fuel-ducted-heat-pump-rebate/ |
| Why are there no contractor incentives to take part in the installation process? Fortis rebates give a minimum of $50 per job to cover the extra time for commissioning/paperwork etc. | If you are an HPCN member and your client applies and receives a rebate for fuel switching to a heat pump, then yes the contractor will qualify for the $500 contractor incentive. |
| Why must we complete the TECA courses if it is not required for all installs? Why do installers have to retake courses when they already have taken the TECA courses Forced Air Guidelines and Heat Recovery Design & Installation and Ventilation guidelines etc. Why is there no exception to proven contracts becoming certified without having to redo courses specially when they have been in business for 30 years. and when they have already been certified by Fortis for the past several years. |
The goal of the Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN), and its mandatory training, is to build capacity in residential retrofit contractors to improve quality workmanship across the industry. Mandatory training for home performance sectors can benefit all companies and individuals, across all levels and years of experience. It helps ensure that you and your company have access to the latest information and resources for renovating with a whole-home approach in BC. It provides greater consistency in retrofit approaches, which leads to greater customer satisfaction and a more level playing field for your business. It also helps enhance the overall reputation of the retrofit industry by increasing the quantity of well-trained retrofit contractors in BC; a strong reputation can increase support for the industry and open up new opportunities for your business. The specific training requirements of the HPCN were selected by Sector Councils - groups of industry experts including contractors - you can read more about the development of the HPCN requirements here. The TECA/HRAI courses selected have been reviewed by both the HVAC Sector Council and TECA/HRAI and deemed to offer unique and comprehensive material not covered (to the same extent) in their other courses. |
| Is there a contractors forum somewhere? Everyone seems to have the same frustrations and concerns. | Written feedback can be sent to betterhomesbc@gov.bc.ca. |
| Can a customer supply their own equipment and get rebates? | Yes they can, but the heat pump would need to be installed by a HPCN member and the equipment will need to meet all program requirements. In these cases a homeowner would need to submit the invoice for the equipment and the invoice from the installing contractor. |
| When a brand revises the model number on equipment, the AHRI certificates are not always updated with the new number. Sometimes rebate applications are being rejected because these don't match - but this is out of our control. How can the rebate programs address this? | We manage these on a case by case scenario with the contractor, and identify the correct AHRI number. We promote to distributors and manufacturers to ensure all current models being sold in BC are up to date and listed on the qualified product list. We suggest working with your distributor and/or manufacturer to ensure the correct, up to date AHRI number is being issued. |
| Why the requirement for a heat loss on dual fuel but not for heat pump only? How are you ensuring that the heat pump will handle the heating load? | Heat loss calculations are currently only required for dual fuel heat pumps, as those are most likely to be installed by a gas furnace contractor who is moving into the heat pump field. Furnaces are often installed based on what was there before and that cannot be done with a heat pump, as furnaces have traditionally been oversized in the market. It is important to size the heat pump properly and we do prompt heat load calculations to be completed for every heat pump installation, not just dual fuel heat pumps. |