Web: bchydro.com/homerebates

Email: alliance@bchydro.com

Web: betterhomesbc.ca

Email: ask@betterhomesbc.ca

Phone: 1-844-881-9790 (Energy Coaching Hotline, available Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm)

Web: fortisbc.com/homerebates

Email: qualityinstalls@fortisbc.com

Web: betterhomesbc.ca

Email: ask@betterhomesbc.ca

Phone: 1-844-881-9790 (Energy Coaching Hotline, available Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm)

Question

Response

PNG Customers not eligible?

Related Question: To further clarify on the PNG customers; do they need to meet the hydro use metrics to be eligible, or is it just processed under the BC Hydro umbrella without needing to meet that usage criteria?

Customers living in the Pacific Northern Gas territory are eligible for insulation rebates, as they are in the BC Hydro electric service territory they will need to apply through BC Hydro.

Related Answer: It depends on a home's primary heating, if they're natural gas, oil, or propane heated, they would not need to meet the BC Hydro MEC. If they are electrically heated, they would need to meet the BC Hydro MEC.

You say the air sealing is mandatory and we should observe best practices but what if the customer objects to the air sealing due to the extra cost?

Related: so if we're upgrading an attic -- customers CANNOT qualify for the rebate if they don't get air sealing done? How are you guys confirming this, since it's never part of the summary info on the invoices....?

In order to ensure the rebates we provide to customers are cost-effective, customers must be upgrading above building code and to best practices. The purpose of our rebates is to offset the additional costs associated with upgrading above building code and to best practices.

In order to ensure that best practices are being followed, we regularly conduct site visits.

Are we able to add an administrative fee to the CleanBC [Income Qualified Program] jobs for the extra admin time required for verification, application submission, etc.?

Programs would prefer if additional costs are included in the overall quote/invoice for the work. Homeowners should also be completing the application themselves, not the contractor.

What is the best way for seniors who do not have a computer to apply for the rebates?

There is an option for homeowners to call and get program support and mail in their program information. If possible, we also recommend they get a friend or family member to help them complete the application online as this will be faster. The phone number for customers to call for a Customer Service Rep to assist with their application:

CleanBC Income Qualified:1-833-856-0333

FortisBC: 1-855-909-2329

BC Hydro: 1-844-881-9790 (Energy Coaching Hotline)

Do you know if Canada Greener Homes calculates the incentive amount the same way for when existing insulation is removed and replaced with new insulation?

The federal Greener Homes program does their insulation rebate calculations in a different way than the Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program. Please visit their website to confirm: https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-efficiency/homes/canada-greener-homes-initiative/canada-greener-homes-grant/canada-greener-homes-grant/23441

You said the house has to be at least a year old. I was under the impression that the potential client had to have lived in the house for a year to be rebate eligible. Is that not the case?

No, the homeowner does not have to have lived in the home for at least a year - the home itself must be at least one year old.

We have noticed a substantial percentage of homes commonly requiring mould or hazardous material remediation prior to insulation. In many cases it can run between $15-20K. With qualified CleanBC IQP customers, is any of the remediation cost covered?

Since the IQP customers clearly fall into an income category that allows them this rebate, paying for remediation in full before the insulation usually isn't a possibility. This results in them not getting the work done at all.

Would a program for rebates for remediation be something that is on the horizon?

Related: Attic remediation can cost thousands of dollars. Are they mandatory across the board or is the contractor allowed to make a decision based on severity. 99% of homes have rodent droppings. So long as the rodent entry is resolved can the contractor make the decision based on the severity?

Yes, there is a health and safety rebate available through the CleanBC Income Qualified Program but only up to $800. The work must be completed by qualified individuals. It is important that the cause of the pest infestation or mould be addressed so the issue doesn't come back after the new insulation is installed.

There are no remediation rebates available for the general Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Programs.

This is helpful feedback - we will present this to program managers.

The Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program asks that rodent tunneling be solved and mould be removed. However, if the access points have been blocked off then the contractor can determine the severity of the infestation and decide if a full remediation is needed or not.

In the case where insulation needs to be extracted to rectify a rodent infestation, is the starting r value the existing insulation depth before extraction or is it zero post extraction?

Starting R-value is based on the insulation of the existing depth before pest infestation is removed.

Confirming the minimum square footage required for a rebate from BC Hydro is 120 sq ft?

There is no minimum square footage of coverage required. The minimum is the R-value that must be met for each area. Please visit the rebate webpage at https://www.betterhomesbc.ca/rebates/insulation-rebates/ for complete details and rebate requirements.

What category do slopes in an attic fall under. This is where we are and can usually fit an R14.

Slopes in the attic would fall under the attic insulation rebate (flat & cathedral ceiling).

Does a manufactured home constitute a permanent residence when it has no axles, no hitch and is completely skirted (but does not have a permanent foundation) or once the skirting is spray foamed would that turn the skirting into a permanent foundation?

A permanent foundation can be pier and beam/piling, crawlspace, slab or full concrete with basement. The home will also be required to have utility, water and sewer connections, additionally the wheels, axle and towing apparatus should be removed. If you have further questions or need clarification please email betterhomesbc@gov.bc.ca.

Are you sure the Federal rebate requires a licensed contractor? Customers are saying they are allowed to do the insulation themselves.

The Greener Homes Grant Program has separate requirements that differ from the Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program. Please visit their website to confirm eligibility requirements at https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-efficiency/homes/canada-greener-homes-initiative/canada-greener-homes-grant/canada-greener-homes-grant/23441

Can a customer who uses gas check their eligibility on a Fortis site? (Similarly to how BC Hydro customers can do the questionnaire online to determine their eligibility)

No, FortisBC just looks at whether gas is the primary space heating in the home. Customers can reach out to FortisBC if they are not sure.

Does the difference in the amount of newly installed and removed insulation have to exceed a minimum value?

Yes, there are minimum R-values of newly added insulation for each category to be eligible for a rebate. Please visit the website to see program details and requirements at https://www.betterhomesbc.ca/rebates/insulation-rebates/.

[CleanBC Income Qualified Program] Can we install bathroom ventilation fans?

Currently, ventilation fans need to be installed by an HVAC or electrical contractor who is an HPCN member and/or a CleanBC Income Qualified Program Registered Contractor. We will take away the feedback to consider other types of contractors to be permitted to install these fans.

Can you go into detail about the Fortis/BC Hydro the newer rule stating that homes with an addition/alteration permit are not eligible for the rebate?

The Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program is designed to help home retrofits or upgrades to the existing home, resulting in a higher energy efficiency standard and to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy use. We do not provide rebates to additions or extensions of the homes square footage.

[CleanBC Income Qualified Program] Any consideration for high performance dehumidifiers? I would not expect single room type.

At this point, the program is not targeting dehumidification beyond the bathroom fan rebate. The bathroom fan rebate was introduced based on specific research that showed an easy opportunity to support income qualified homes to replace their inoperable bathrooms fans (as the ducting is already in place).

This is good feedback and will be taken to the program manager for future consideration.

Will the rebate amounts be increasing to keep up with inflation/industry cost increases?

The Program Partners do on-going program evaluations and consultation to understand changes in the industry. At this time, however, there are no plans to increase the rebate amounts.