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.
Available Rebates
Choose your rebate pathway:
- Energy Step Code pathway: build a new home that meets a minimum BC Energy Step code level and uses electric space and water heating systems.
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.
Choose your add-on rebates:
- All-Electric Bonus: build a home with no fossil fuel (e.g. natural gas, propane, oil) connection whatsoever (including for cooking, fireplaces, or other uses) and receive an additional $4,000 per home.
- Energy Advisor Support Rebate: work with a Program Qualified Energy Advisor and receive an additional $1,000 per home.
Energy Step Code Pathway
Build a home to BC Energy Step Code 3 or higher using electric space and water heating systems.
ESC Step | Rebate | Energy Advisor Support Rebate | All-Electric Bonus (optional) |
Step 3 | $4,000 | $1,000 per individually modelled home or unit
|
$4,000 per home or unit |
Step 4 | $6,000 | ||
Step 5 | $10,000 |
Heat Pump Pathway
Build a home that uses an electric heat pump for space heating or water heating.
Heat Pump Type | Requirements |
Rebate |
Energy Advisor Support Rebate (optional) | All-Electric Bonus (optional) |
Air source heat pump | Variable speed mini-split, multi- split, or central (Tier 2) air source heat pump
HSPF ≥9.3, SEER ≥16 Must be on the Qualifying Product List |
$3,000 |
$1,000 per individually modelled home or unit
|
$4,000 per home or unit |
Air-to-water hydronic heat pump | Must be on the Qualifying Product List |
$3,000 |
||
Combined space and water heat pump | Must be on the Qualifying Product List |
$4,000 |
||
Heat pump water heater | Must be on the Qualifying Product List |
$1,000 |
- You 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.
Eligibility Requirements
- The program is open to builders, developers and owner builders 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
- Row/townhome
- The new home must be located in BC Hydro or New Westminster Electrical Utility service territory.
- Builders participating in the Energy Step Code pathway or applying for the Energy Advisor Support Rebate or All-Electric Bonus in the Heat Pump pathway must work with a Program Qualified Energy Advisor.
- You must receive a building permit for the home(s) on or after April 1, 2020.
- You must receive pre-approval for the program by submitting a pre-registration form.
Additional requirements apply. Confirm eligibility by reviewing the Rebate Eligibility Requirements and Terms and Conditions.
How to Apply
- Carefully read the Rebate Eligibility Requirements and Terms and Conditions to confirm your eligibility.
- Fill out and submit the pre-registration form. Within 30 days of submitting this form, we’ll send you an email with the status of your submission.
- Complete your project within 12 months of the date of your pre-approval confirmation email. If 12 months have passed, submit a new pre-registration form.
- Submit the post-construction application and required supporting documentation:
- As-Built BC Energy Compliance Report and EnerGuide (N) Evaluation Homeowner Information Sheet for the Energy Step Code pathway, All-Electric Bonus and Energy Advisor Support Rebate;
- Passive House certified homes to submit the Passive House Planning Package in lieu of the EnerGuide (N) Evaluation Homeowner Information Sheet.
OR - Heat pump installation invoice for the heat pump pathway. See sample invoices.
- Passive House certified homes to submit the Passive House Planning Package in lieu of the EnerGuide (N) Evaluation Homeowner Information Sheet.
- As-Built BC Energy Compliance Report and EnerGuide (N) Evaluation Homeowner Information Sheet for the Energy Step Code pathway, All-Electric Bonus and Energy Advisor Support Rebate;
Deadlines
- Complete your project within 12 months of the date of your pre-approval confirmation email.
- 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.
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
- CleanBC Better Homes betterhomesbc@gov.bc.ca
- BC Hydro residentialnewconstruction@bchydro.com