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CleanBC Better Homes New Construction Program

Now accepting registrations

The CleanBC Better Homes New Construction Program provides rebates up to $15,000 for the construction of new, high-performance, electric homes. Through the CleanBC plan, the Province is supporting the adoption of the BC Energy Step Code and making energy efficient, climate-friendly homes more affordable and accessible for British Columbians.

Approximate percentage of remaining registrations

50%
  • Funding for the program is limited and subject to availability – ensure you pre-register as early as possible.

Available Rebates

Choose your rebate pathway:

  • Energy Step Code pathway: build a new home that meets a minimum BC Energy Step code level and is all-electric.
    OR
  • Heat pump pathway: build a new home that uses an electric heat pump for space heating or water heating, regardless of Energy Step Code level.

Add-on rebates:

Energy Step Code Pathway

Build a home to BC Energy Step Code 3 or higher that is all-electric (must use electric primary and secondary space and water heating systems and appliances).

ESC Step

Rebate
(Single family homes and duplexes)

Rebate
(Triplexes and row/townhomes with
3+ units)

Energy Advisor Support Rebate
Step 3 $8,000
+$3,000 northern top-up*		 $4,000
+$1,500 northern top-up*		 $1,000 per individually modelled home or unit
• $800 to the builder
• $200 to the Energy AdvisorOR

$2,000 per individually modelled home or unit if northern top-up eligible*
• $1,600 to the builder
• $400 to the Energy Advisor
Step 4 $10,000
+$3,000 northern top-up*		 $5,000
+$1,500 northern top-up*
Step 5 $14,000
+$3,000 northern top-up*		 $7,000
+$1,500 northern top-up*
  • A wood or solid fuel heating system may be used for supplemental space heating.
  • Note (*): To qualify for the northern top-up rebate, eligible homes must be located north of and including the District of 100 Mile House (latitude 51.628°N).

Heat Pump Pathway

Build a home that uses an electric heat pump for space heating and/or water heating, regardless of BC Energy Step Code level.

Heat Pump Type

Requirements

Rebate

Northern
Top-Up*

Energy Advisor Support Rebate
Air source heat pump Ductless mini-split heat pump, ductless multi-split heat pump, or central ducted heat pump (Tier 2)
HSPF ≥10, SEER ≥16
Variable speed compressor
Must be on the Qualifying Product List		 $3,000 +$3,000 $1,000 per individually modelled home or unit
• $800 to the builder
• $200 to the Energy AdvisorOR

$2,000 per individually modelled home or unit if northern top-up eligible*
• $1,600 to the builder
• $400 to the Energy Advisor
Air-to-water heat pump  Must be on the Qualifying Product List $3,000 +$3,000
Combined space and hot water heat pump Must be on the Qualifying Product List $4,000 +$3,000
Heat pump water heater Must be on the Qualifying Product List $1,000 No top-up
  • Note (*): To qualify for the northern top-up, eligible homes must be located north of and including the District of 100 Mile House (latitude 51.628°N).
  • Builders are eligible for a maximum of one primary space heating system rebate and one primary water heating system rebate per home or unit, regardless of the number of systems installed.
  • Heat pumps with fossil fuel back up are not eligible unless the home is eligible for and participating in the northern top-up offer.

Eligibility Requirements

  • The program is open to licensed residential builders, owner builders who are authorized by BC Housing, and buildings authorized by Indigenous communities who are building a new home in B.C.
  • Homes must be constructed in compliance with Part 9 of the BC Building Code and, where applicable, the municipally-adopted minimum BC Energy Step Code requirement.
  • The home must be one of the following building types:
    • Single-family home
    • Laneway home
    • Duplex
    • Triplex
    • Row/townhome
  • The new home must be located in BC Hydro or New Westminster Electrical Utility service territory.
  • All builders participating in the Energy Step Code pathway or applying for the Energy Advisor Support Rebate must work with a Program Qualified Energy Advisor approved to deliver the CleanBC Better Homes New Construction Program.
  • Building permits for the home(s) must be issued on or after April 1, 2022.
    • Important note: if your building permit was issued between September 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022, you may also be eligible. See the Rebate Eligibility Requirements – Version 1 to confirm your eligibility prior to pre-registering.
  • You must receive pre-approval for the program by submitting a pre-registration form.

Additional requirements and terms and conditions apply.

How to Apply

  1. Carefully read the Rebate Eligibility Requirements and Terms and Conditions to confirm your eligibility.
  2. Submit the pre-registration form, including a copy of your building permit. Within 30 days of submitting this form, BC Hydro will send you an email with the status of your submission.
  3. Complete your project within 12 months of the date of your pre-approval confirmation email.
  4. Submit the post-construction application and required supporting documentation:
    • Energy Step Code pathway:
      • As-Built BC Energy Compliance Report; and
      • EnerGuide (N) Evaluation Homeowner Information Sheet (for Passive House certified homes, submit the Passive House Planning Package and a copy of the home’s Passive House certificate instead).
    • Heat pump pathway:
      • Heat pump installation invoice. See sample invoices;
      • Heat load calculation that meets the program-approved methodology; and
      • If applying for the Energy Advisor Support Rebate, the As-Built BC Energy Compliance Report and EnerGuide (N) Evaluation Homeowner Information Sheet.

Deadlines

  1. Complete your project within 12 months of the date of your pre-approval confirmation email.
  2. Submit the post-construction application and required supporting documentation within 6 months of the date of your heat pump invoice or As-Built BC Energy Compliance Report, as applicable for your rebate pathway.
    • Projects completed between May 31, 2023 and December 31, 2023 must submit their application no later than December 31, 2023.

Other

  • Use our search tool to find a Program Qualified Energy Advisor.
  • Check out our rebate search tool for other rebates for new homes.
  • Did you see a building science or energy efficiency term you did not understand? Check out our glossary.
  • This program is funded by the Province of British Columbia and administered by BC Hydro.
  • By using, visiting, or browsing CleanBC and the Energy Coach service, you accept and agree to these Terms of Use.

Program Contact Information