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Electrical Service Upgrade Rebate
The CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program is offering a $500 rebate for upgrading your electrical service to 100, 200, or 400 amp service for your home when upgrading from a fossil fuel primary space or water heating system to a primary electrical space or water heating system.
Overview
Rebate Amount:
$500
Who Can Apply:
B.C. citizens who live in an eligible home and have residential utility accounts with BC Hydro, FortisBC, or municipal utility
Deadline:
Application must be submitted within 6 months of the invoice date
Qualifying Products:
Must upgrade your electrical service to 100, 200 or 400 amp service (from your electric utility provider) in combination with a rebate eligible upgrade from a fossil fuel (oil, propane or natural gas) primary space or water heating system to a space heating heat pump or hot water heat pump
Funding Provided By:
The Province of British Columbia
If you are new to CleanBC Better Homes rebates, learn how the rebate process works.
Rebate Amount
| Requirements | Primary fuel before upgrade | Rebate |
|---|---|
Must upgrade your electrical service to 100, 200 or 400 amp service (from your electric utility provider) in combination with a rebate eligible upgrade from a fossil fuel (oil, propane or natural gas) primary space or water heating system to a space heating heat pump or hot water heat pump. |
|
Fossil Fuel (oil, propane, or natural gas) |
$500 |
Related rebates
If you apply for this rebate you should also consider the following:
- Homes switching from a fossil fuel (oil, propane, or natural gas) space or water heating system to a heat pump may be eligible for:
- Up to $6,000 from select municipalities with Municipal Top-up Rebates.
- A heat pump upgrade counts toward the Two Upgrade Bonus or the Home Energy Improvement Bonus.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to qualify for this rebate, all of the following requirements must be met. Please read them carefully. Contact an Energy Coach if you have questions.
Requirements for the home
You must live in an eligible home:
- The home must be a year-round primary residence that is at least 12 months old.
- You must have a residential utility account with FortisBC, BC Hydro, or a municipal utility.
- The home must be one of the following types:
- Single family home (detached dwelling)
- Secondary suite in a single-family home (detached dwelling), with its own separate utility meter
- Mobile home that is permanently fixed, sits on a foundation and is structurally complete with installed and connected plumbing, heating, electrical, water and sewer services; towing apparatus and axle must be removed
- Duplex, triplex, row home or townhome, where each unit has its own natural gas and/or electricity meter; utility accounts must be in the name of the resident and/or homeowner. Utility accounts in the name of a strata corporation are not eligible.
- Must be converting from a fossil fueled primary space or water heating system to electric primary space or water heating system to be eligible to receive this rebate.
- Your home must be primarily heated with:
- Natural Gas or piped-propane supplied by FortisBC
- Natural Gas supplied by Pacific Northern Gas
- Oil or propane not supplied by FortisBC
- Wood or other solid fuels
Requirements for your contractor
All new equipment must be installed:
- By a licensed contractor with a GST number and a valid B.C. business license for the trade applicable to the upgrade being installed (e.g. Heat pumps must be installed by a licensed residential heating and cooling contractor). Self-installations are not eligible, and
- You must have an invoice from the utility (BC Hydro or FortisBC) and an invoice from the electrical contractor for the work provided. Applications without both invoices will not be eligible.
Requirements for the upgrade
The new electrical service must:
- Be for an upgrade to 100, 200, or 400 amp electrical service (from your electric utility provider).
- Completed within 6 months of an eligible heat pump or heat pump water heating system upgrade.
Note: Eligible expenses covered by the rebate are:
-
- utility connection fees
- electrical panel upgrade
- service mast alterations or replacement
- conduit replacement, meter base alterations or replacements
- weather head alteration or replacement
- labour
Deadlines
The application must be submitted within 6 months of the invoice date of the upgrade.
How to Apply
Before you begin
- Carefully read the Program Requirements and Additional Terms and Conditions to confirm your eligibility.
- Purchase an eligible heat pump and have it installed by a licensed contractor.
- If you are switching from oil, propane, or natural gas to a heat pump, include proof of your fossil fuel system removal.
- Once your upgrades are installed, complete the online application and upload all supporting documentation including copies of all receipts and invoices. See sample invoices.
| I am… | Apply Here |
|---|---|
|
A BC Hydro Electric customer that is converting to a heat pump or heat pump water heater from natural gas, propane or oil. |
BC Hydro online application |
|
A FortisBC Electric customer that is converting to a heat pump or heat pump water heater from natural gas, propane or oil. |
BC Hydro online application |
Please Note: If you are submitting an application that includes both a heat pump and a natural gas fireplace or natural gas hot water heater, use the BC Hydro online application.
Who to Contact
Questions about the rebate?
Contact an Energy Coach to get clarification or help with understanding this rebate.
Questions about your application?
FAQs and More
Learn about electric service upgrades
Get help from professionals
Finding the right contractor is key to having a successful home energy retrofit.