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CleanBC Better Homes New Construction Program

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

  • $800 to the builder
  • $200 to the Energy Advisor
 $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
Variable speed compressor

Must be on the Qualifying Product List

$3,000

 $1,000 per individually modelled home or unit

  • $800 to the builder
  • $200 to the Energy Advisor
 $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

  1. Carefully read the Rebate Eligibility Requirements and Terms and Conditions to confirm your eligibility.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

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.

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