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 North & Central/Southeast webinar but excludes some 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 - 1:50 - Introduction
1:51 - 4:30 - The HPSC and Rebate Programs
4:31 - 5:20 - Rebate Refresher and Update - Introduction
5:21 - 7:08 - Rebate Refresher and Update - Year in Review
7:09 - 23:10 - Understand the Rebates Available
23:11 - 24:18 - Become a Member of the HPCN
24:19 - 24:52 - Where Customers Can Find Your Approved Listing
24:53 - 28:15 - Install to Best Practices Standard
28:16 - 30:55 - Important Info for Invoices and Contact Information
30:56 - 48:16 - Q&A
48:17 - 49:37 - Buildex Vancouver Promotion
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 26: CleanBC Income Qualified Program
Slide 29: About the Home Performance Contractor Network
Slide 31: Contractor Directory
Slide 33: Best Practices Guide
Slide 38: Customer Application Form
Slide 41: Contractor Support Portal
Slide 45: Buildex Vancouver
GENERAL PROGRAM QUESTIONS
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QUESTION
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RESPONSE
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| Is there a one-sheet for all the Provincial Rebates available? | Yes, you can find a PDF here -https://www.bchydro.com/content/dam/BCHydro/customer-portal/documents/power-smart/residential/programs/heating-system-rebate-table.pdf. You can find links to other helpful information around the rebate programs at http://www.bchydro.com/contractors |
| Is the rebate process the client's responsibility to fill out the application or is that the contractor's? Does the contractor receive the rebate or the client? |
Under the rebates offered through the Home Renovation Rebate program the requirement is that the homeowner applies for the rebate using either the BC Hydro or FortisBC online application system. Please note the applications must be submitted within 6 months of the work being complete. Customers will receive the rebate cheque. For the CleanBC Income Qualified program (IQP) the invoice is submitted by the contractor and the contractor will receive the rebate. For more information about the CleanBC IQP and to be an eligible contractor please contact the CleanBC IQP team at IncomeQualified@betterhomesbc.ca. |
| We have had issues where our invoicing system did not split the program/customer split exactly. The most recent one was off by only 6 cents towards the customer. It was sent back to us and the entire thing had to be done manually at great cost and time lost not to mention it takes away the efficiency of an estimate/invoice program. Is there any way to have a leeway on that of say less than a dollar or even a quarter to allow for that? | These case by case scenarios will be managed by the program team, please ensure to discuss this situation with the CleanBC Income Qualified Program Team. |
| A question I'm asked often is how long will these rebates be available for? |
Program funding can change and because of that we try to provide three months notice on any program updates. The CleanBC Better Homes programs are currently funded March 31, 2024. |
| Why force the removal of the equipment? Wouldn't the removal of the gas valve and connection suffice? There are several examples of where the existing furnace could act as an air handler to improve filtration and air distribution, especially when a ductless system is offered to a home with electric on top floor, ducted at the bottom. Seems to be a punitive decision based on fear the equipment will be recommissioned. Why wouldn't you allow people to keep a boiler as a redundant system for when there is a heat pump breakdown? | As the program has a goal of reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions we must ensure the equipment is removed to be able to count the reduction of GHG's from the home. Specific case by case scenarios can be emailed to betterhomesbc@gov.bc.ca for feedback. |
MUNICIPAL TOP-UP REBATES
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QUESTION
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RESPONSE
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| Would you be able to speak to the future of the municipal top up rebates, particularly the Vancouver top up which is now marked as "nearly subscribed". | We are actively engaging with the City of Vancouver regarding the potential for additional funding. Updates when available, will be posted to betterhomesbc.ca/municipal-offers. Please continue checking back. |
| How do the individual municipalities that offer top up rebates tie into the CleanBC program. How do they get their rebate? | The CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program manages the municipal top ups. The customer only has to apply once through the online application. If they live in a community that offers a top up and the application is approved, they will be paid out for both the Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate program and the municipal top up at the same time. |
| Are municipal top-ups added to the Hydro rebate? Are Income qualified participants eligible for municipal top-ups? |
No, as municipalities are also targeting Greenhouse Gas reductions they only provide the municipal top-ups on heat pump installations where the homeowner is fuel switching from natural gas, oil or propane to an eligible electric heat pump. Currently, the municipal top-ups are not available for the CleanBC Income Qualified Program because the incentives are already very high. The federal Greener Homes rebates can be stacked with the CleanBC Income Qualified Program. |
SECONDARY SUITES
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QUESTION
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RESPONSE
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| For homes that have a secondary suite and 1 power meter, if the heat pump serves the entire home including the secondary suite, would it qualify for the rebate? | Yes, homes with secondary suites are eligible for one rebate. They must meet all program requirements, including becoming the primary heating system in the home, and providing heat to the main living area. |
| For homes that have a secondary suite and 2 power meters, does only the primary suite need to have the heat pump system installed? Does this mean that the secondary suite can remain on its existing heating source? | If each home (suite) has their own utility meters, then they are each eligible to install a heat pump and receive a rebate, as long as all program requirements are met. If only one of the homes (suites) wants to install a heat pump, they can participate in the program regardless if the other home (suite) would like to participate. |
CLEAN BC INCOME QUALIFIED PROGRAM (CleanBC IQP)
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QUESTION
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RESPONSE
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| When you say it compliments the other programs, does that mean it can be combined with provincial rebates? | Rebates may be combined with funding received from the Canada Greener Homes Grant program, but combined rebates cannot exceed the cost on the invoice or paid cost of the upgrade. Each program's requirements must be met independently to be eligible for each program. CleanBC Income Qualified Program rebates cannot be combined with funding received from the CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program or FortisBC's Income Qualified Space and Water Heating Rebate Program for the same upgrade. |
| Can a contractor register for the program on behalf of the homeowner? | No, to participate in the CleanBC Income Qualified Program the homeowner must register and apply, as they must supply personal information on their household income |
| What is the criteria for someone to be considered income qualified i.e. household income. | There is a table on the program website which outlines the income thresholds, which differ depending on the number of people living in the home. It is available here:https://betterhomesbc.ca/rebates/income-qualified. Customers that are approved under the program receive an eligibility code, they are required to share with their contractor to provide assurance they are eligible. |
| Does the CleanBC IQP follow the same rules as the provincial program meaning for 1 cassette for a home that is over 1200 sq ft is not eligible for the Income qualified program? | Currently, the CleanBC IQP has not made the 1200 sq ft requirement a part of the program. If there is a change the program will notify participating contractors. Please note: the mini split must meet the 50% primary space heating requirement and must be installed in a main living area in the home. |
CONTRACTOR INCENTIVES
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QUESTION
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RESPONSE
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| Are there still contractor incentives being offered? For a while we were getting $500 for each of the oil/gas furnaces we replaced with heat pumps. Is that still happening? | 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. |
| What does the contractor need to do to qualify for the $500 rebate? Does it come to the contractor automatically? | 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. |
HEAT LOAD CALCULATIONS
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QUESTION
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RESPONSE
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| For the [CleanBC] IQP, does the contractor have to submit a heat loss calc during rebate application? | A heat load calculation is required for the CleanBC Income Qualified Program, but only for eligible dual fuel heat pump applications. |
| Is an Energy Assessment considered a valid heat loss calculation? | Full house Hot2000 report is accepted, but we prefer the heat load calculation be done by the installing contractor. |
| Heat load calc is required for dual fuel, but not required for fully electric heat pump upgrades? Is that correct? | That is correct. |
| Is heat load calculation required for electric baseboard replacement with a heat pump? | No, it is not required. |
| For heat loss/load calculation, I was told either TECA and HRAI are the only programs allowed. But now I was told by many people that they can use other 3rd party online apps and ACCA manual J. Is that true? | Yes. Please see the Heat Load Calculation Details found at https://betterhomesbc.ca/faqs/heat-load-calculations/ for more information. If you have questions about using a specific software, please email the program administrators at betterhomesbc@gov.bc.ca and we can confirm if it's acceptable to use. |
| Why, if heat gain/loss calculation training is required to be accredited, is this not a requirement for all retrofits? Why is it only for Dual fuel systems? | When this program launched there was a transition of installers learning more about the importance of right sizing equipment. Ideally all heat pump installers are completing the calculation on all installations, not just dual fuel heat pump installations. |
| What is the format for the heat load calc required? | Please see the Heat Load Calculation Details found at https://betterhomesbc.ca/faqs/heat-load-calculations/ for more information. Full house report is required and we do not accept square foot methods. |
HPCN TRAINING & MEMBERSHIP
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QUESTION
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RESPONSE
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| What happens if we are unable to complete the training within the 6 months? Will there be an extension allowed? | Please note that the 6 month timeline applies to the Quality Installation course ONLY. From the date that you become a member - you will have 6 additional months to complete the Quality Installation course, unfortunately no extensions will be provided. |
| What happens if the contractor's team has no time to complete the Quality installation courses within the 6 months? | If they do not complete it within 6 months, their membership will be paused (their customers will be ineligible for rebates) until they complete the training. Once the training is complete, the HPSC would reinstate the membership. |
| After completing all of the training qualifications to become an HPSC contractor, How do we go about applying to receive the training subsidies? | Once you become an HPCN member, the full instructions are provided for you to request reimbursement. If you scroll down in your HPCN portal you will see the instructions (but won't be able to submit until you're a member). |
| If the contractor is still working on getting their accreditation can their customers apply for the rebates later when the contractor is approved? | Yes, once a contractor has become an HPCN member, their customers may apply for rebates. The invoice date must be later than the day that HPCN membership opened. If the work was completed and invoiced prior to the date that membership opened, the rebate application will not be approved. |
BOILER TECHNOLOGY
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QUESTION
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RESPONSE
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| For houses where the existing system is a boiler serving both the domestic hot water and the heating, can we leave the high-efficiency boiler in place (to continue serving the hot water) but remove the baseboards (so it can't serve as heating), would that be permitted under the rebate program? | We will allow the boiler to be retained for domestic hot water heating, but the water lines that run from the boiler to distribute heated water for space heating will need to be removed, as well as any radiators. All space heating parts and equipment will need to be removed. |
| If we have technology that will allow a boiler to work efficiently with a heat pump - who do we contact to see if a boiler / heat pump option can be eligible for the funds? | You can send the request to betterhomesbc@gov.bc.ca. Note: for this to happen we would need to do a complete program change, which is unlikely to happen in the short term. But we will look into this technology if you send a request. |
| Would an electric boiler/heat pump combination be considered as dual fuel or not? | Please send the specific equipment requests to betterhomesbc@gov.bc.ca, including specific models and links to specification sheets and equipment websites. |
HEAT PUMP TECHNOLOGY
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QUESTION
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RESPONSE
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| In the interior heat pumps need a back-up heat source when outdoor temperatures dip below the HP capacity. Does having this back-up heat source affect the rebate qualification? | It depends on the back-up heat source; if the supplemental heat source is electric resistant heat, there are no additional requirements for the rebate program. If the supplemental heat source is a gas furnace system (a dual fuel heat pump) the rebate requirements are different. Please visit the dual fuel rebate pages (https://www.betterhomesbc.ca/rebates/dual-fuel-ducted-heat-pump-rebate/) for the full list of requirements and details on the rebates. |
| Will there be any rebates for the SANCO2 heat pump Model D? | Please send the specific equipment requests to betterhomesbc@gov.bc.ca, including specific models and links to specification sheets and equipment websites. |
| For systems that require only the vapor line be insulated by manufacturer installation instructions, will the program require the liquid line be insulated? The insulation requirement is based on where the metering device is located, in the case of ductless or mini split, the metering device is in the outdoor unit so both lines must be insulated separately, where as the metering device is on the indoor unit for unitary split system. |
Please submit this question to betterhomebc@gov.bc.ca, and provide the models you are discussing. In the meantime we suggest insulating both lines to meet the program requirements. |
| Why doesn't a home with an open floor plan qualify if using an appropriately sized single zone heat pump system? | If the home has a square footage at or under 1,200 sq. ft. and the head unit is in a main living area, then the home will be eligible for a single head mini-split, regardless of the floor plan. |
| Is the insulation requirement [for heat pump lines] necessary when manufacturer installation instructions do not require. | Please submit this question to betterhomebc@gov.bc.ca, and provide the models you are discussing. In the meantime we suggest insulating both lines to meet the program requirements. |
| What do you do in lower than -18 or -30C Celsius outdoor ambient temperature? Is there an allowance for supplemental heat? | Supplemental heating systems are eligible in the rebate program. Electric resistant supplemental heating has no additional requirements for the rebate program. Gas furnace supplemental heating (a dual fuel heat pump) has different rebate requirements. Please visit the dual fuel rebate pages (https://www.betterhomesbc.ca/rebates/dual-fuel-ducted-heat-pump-rebate/) for the full list of requirements and details on the rebates. |
OTHER TECHNOLOGY
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QUESTION
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RESPONSE
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| There is now a multi-zone system capable of doing air handlers, indoor heads and hydronic heating with one outdoor unit. The electric heat pump boiler is already listed on the air to water equipment list and the multi-zone heat pump is also listed. Does this combination qualify for both rebates? | Please submit this question tobetterhomebc@gov.bc.ca, and provide the models you are discussing. If it is eligible for a heat pump rebate, each home is only eligible to receive one space heating rebate, so they would only be eligible for one rebate. |
| There is now a multi-zone system capable of doing air handlers, indoor heads and hydronic heating with one outdoor unit. The electric heat pump boiler is already listed on the air to water equipment list and the multi-zone heat pump is also listed. Does this combination qualify for both rebates? | The Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate program has a goal of reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions and energy conservation. We have the SEER requirement in place to ensure energy efficiency in the cooling seasons. There may be an exception available for equipment that meets the HSPF requirement and has a SEER rating at or above 15.5. Please email betterhomebc@gov.bc.ca, and provide the AHRI number of the unit you are discussing, if the equipment meets that requirement. |
| Is dual fuel only eligible for rebates in zone 5? | The Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate program allows dual fuel heat pump rebates in all climate zones in BC. The CleanBC Income Qualified program requires that the home must be located in BC Building Code climate zone 5 (excluding Vancouver Island), 6, 7, 8, or 9 to be eligible to access dual fuel heat pump rebates. |
| Why does the SEER rating matter when these rebates are heating rebates ? |
The Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate program has a goal of reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions and energy conservation. We have the SEER requirement in place to ensure energy efficiency in the cooling seasons. |
OTHER
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QUESTION
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RESPONSE
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| Why are first nation rebate programs not get mentioned | Due to the details and timing constraints there is a separate webinar hosted by FortisBC and BC Hydro on the Indigenous Communities Conservation Program (ICCP). To learn more about ICCP and other offers visit: fortisbc.com/indigenousefficiency. If you would like to attend the next ICCP webinar email: qualityinstalls@fortisbc.com. Additionally, there is a CleanBC Indigenous Community Energy Coach that can help identify rebates and funding for Indigenous Communities, please reach out to them at ICEC@betterhomesbc.ca. |
| How can we get newly launched products added to the list of eligible systems? | Please emailbetterhomesbc@gov.bc.ca and supply the equipment details (model numbers), spec sheets or AHRI certification numbers. Note: the program partners will need to review the program eligibility and how those would differ for new technologies including but not limited to certification requirements to consider updating the specific rebate program. This process can take time. |
| Is there thought to increase the rebates considering the increase in the cost of equipment and install costs? |
The program partners strive to review rebate programs and analyze market indicators, such as the demand/supply for products. If changes are made to the program, they aim to make changes biannually on April 1 and October 1, and aim to supply industry with 3 month notice. |
| Are there any rebates available for new builds? | The CleanBC Residential New Construction program is fully subscribed, but there is a waiting list if the program were to receive additional funding. Please visit the webpage for details at https://www.betterhomesbc.ca/rebates/cleanbc-new-construction/. FortisBC also offers rebates through the New Home Program. There are two choices offered to builders, for details please visit: www.fortisbc.com/newhome. |