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FortisBC New Home Program

FortisBC’s New Home Construction program is designed to support the adoption of the BC Energy Step Code, advance higher efficiency new construction, and enable homeowners to enjoy lower energy bills and more comfortable, durable, and healthy homes. The FortisBC New Home Step Code Rebates are available for homes with building permits after March 29, 2018. These rebates are offered until December 31, 2022.

Available Rebates

Choose from the Option A or Option B below.  For projects located in FortisBC’s electricity service area, additional ENERGY STAR appliance rebates are also available.

Option A – Build a Home to BC Energy Step Code 2 or higher

Can be combined with the Design Offer.  Build a home to BC Energy Step Code 2 or higher using natural gas space and water heating (or electricity space and water heating in FortisBC’s electricity service area) to access:

Home performance rebate Energy advisor support rebate Additional rebates
Step 2 – $3,000
  • $200 paid to the energy advisor
  • $800 paid to the builder
  • ENERGY STAR natural gas dryer – $100
  • EnerChoice® natural gas fireplace – $500
  • Drain water heat recovery system – $250
  • Connected Thermostats – $100
Step 3 – $4,000
Step 4 – $6,000
Step 5 – $10,000

Option B – Build a Home to BC Energy Step Code 1 and select from the following rebates

Cannot be combined with the Design Offer.

Eligible high-efficiency water heaters Energy advisor support rebate Additional rebates
ENERGY STAR 0.67 EF storage tank- $500
  • $200 paid to the energy advisor
  • $800 paid to the builder
  • ENERGY STAR natural gas dryer – $100
  • EnerChoice® natural gas fireplace – $500
  • Drain water heat recovery system – $250
  • Connected Thermostats – $100
ENERGY STAR condensing tankless- $1,000
ENERGY STAR condensing storage tank – $1,000
ENERGY STAR natural gas combination heating and hot water system – $1,200
P9 combination heating and hot water system – $1,200
Heat pump water heater – $2,000
  • If your development is located in the City of Vancouver, or a municipality that has adopted Step Code 3 or higher, for a builder to be eligible for the energy advisor support, an application must be completed by December 31, 2022.

Design Offer

FortisBC’s Design Offer is a new incentive offered to builders who are pursuing Step 3, 4 or 5 (Option A) to offset the costs of engaging consultants. Builders can choose to participate in one, two or all three elements of the offer and receive up to $7,000 to reimburse the cost of the consultants hired to complete the work. The incentive is available per detached home or unique unit in a multi-family complex (up to $50,000 in multi-family projects).

The three elements are:

  • Integrated Design Process (IDP): $1,000 rebate, must use a pre-approved IDP facilitator
  • Envelope Design and Mechanical Design: consultant costs are reimbursed up to $6,000 in rebates*

* Must use a building science consultant and/or mechanical design specialist.

Additional Rebates

  • If your project is located in FortisBC’s electricity service area, additional rebates are also available on ENERGY STAR washers, electric dryers and fridges:
      • Eligible washers – $100
      • Eligible electric dryers – $100 to $250
      • Eligible fridges – $50 to $100
      • Heat pump water heater – $2,000 (available only when choosing option B above)

Eligibility Requirements

  • The home must be new construction and built in FortisBC’s electricity* and/or natural gas service area.
  • The home must be one of the following building types:
    • Detached House (may include a secondary suite)
    • Attached House (e.g. semi-detached, townhouses, duplexes, triplexes, row house)
    • Laneway House
  • The home must be build on a permanent foundation.
  • Builders must work with a registered EnerGuide Rating System energy advisor in order to access the New Home Construction program.
  • Builders pursuing Step 5 rebates must contact the program to confirm program eligibility.
  • The building permit must be issued March 29, 2018 or later.
  • Qualifying makes and models are listed at fortisbc.com/newhome.

*Includes Grand Forks, Penticton, Summerland and Nelson Hydro

How to Apply

  1. Carefully review the terms and conditions available at fortisbc.com/newhome to confirm your eligibility.
  2. To register your project, contact your Energy Advisor. Supporting documents include:
    • Applicant Declaration
    • BC Energy As-Built Compliance Report
    • EnerGuide N Report (EnerGuide Homeowner Information Sheet)

Deadlines

The following forms must be submitted within 6 months of the date of issuance of an occupancy permit for the development:

  • Online application
  • Natural gas appliances application
  • Electric appliances application

Other

  • If a home does not meet target metrics, rebates for the equivalent lower step can still be pursued as long as an occupancy permit has been issued.
  • Check out our rebate search tool for other energy efficiency upgrades rebates.
  • Did you see a building science or energy efficiency term you did not understand? Check out our glossary.
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Program Contact Information

Contact your natural gas energy solutions managers or email newhome@fortisbc.com.