Regional Energy Efficiency Program

LATEST NEWS

 

The Double the Rebate offer has been extended by three months for residents switching from natural gas, propane or oil to an electric heat pump or heat pump water heater. Registration is required. Register for a promo code by March 31, 2021. Once received, your unique promo code can be used to apply for the Double the Rebate offer. Upgrades must be complete and invoiced by June 30, 2021.

Learn how to lower your heating costs and increase your comfort with the Regional Energy Efficiency Program.

 

The Regional District Central Kootenay (RDCK) is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving energy. The Regional Energy Efficiency Program (REEP) has three options for saving energy and money in your home. By participating, you will access help through the process such as next steps, energy advisors, contractors, rebates, and low interest financing.

 

HOME RENOVATION           If you own your home and are looking to renovate this program gives you access to an EnerGuide home energy evaluation which includes:   Pre Renovation Evaluation   - Blower door test   - Advice on your green renovation options   - Advice on rebates, incentives, and financing   Post Renovation Evaluation   - Blower door test   - Support on how to get the most out of your newly renovated home

ENERGY CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM        If you rent or own your home and qualify based on your household income, this program offers:       Free Energy Evaluation   Free installation of energy efficient products   Some may also qualify for:    - Free energy efficient refrigerator   - Natural Gas Furnace   - Insulation

NEW HOMES           If you are looking to build a new home, either yourself or with a contractor, this program will provide:       Information on energy efficient, high performing homes   Information on the BC Step Code   Information on incentives available

 

HOME RENOVATION

This is for homeowners who are interested in completing a home energy assessment for interest, house sale or are looking at carrying out home renovations. 

By registering for REEP, you will receive:

• A dedicated team to support you through your renovation journey
• Information on current upgrade options, technologies, energy advisors, contractors, rebates, incentives and low-interest financing 
• Support in booking an EnerGuide audit both before and after your renovation

 The CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program offers $200 for completing a pre-upgrade EnerGuide home evaluation and $100 for completing a post-upgrade EnerGuide home evaluation. You must complete a Pre-Upgrade EnerGuide Home Evaluation to count towards the Home Energy Improvement Bonus.

Pre-Upgrade EnerGuide Home Evaluation		Post-Upgrade EnerGuide Home Evaluation
Pre-evaluation Cost	$450	Post-evaluation Cost	$275
Pre-Upgrade Rebate*	$200	Post-Upgrade Rebate*	$100
Homeowner cost after rebate	$250	Homeowner cost after rebate	$175

The  EnerGuide Pre-Upgrade Home Evaluation is critical for a number of reasons: 

• To ensure all of your upgrades will count towards current rebate offers
• To identify where your house is leaking and losing heat
• To determine what energy efficient upgrades (retrofits) can be done to increase comfort, reduce energy consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions
• To prioritise which upgrades would be most beneficial to your home
• A Pre-Upgrade EnerGuide Home Evaluation is required as the FIRST STEP for the new Government of Canada Home Energy Retrofit Initiative which provide grants up to $5,000 towards energy upgrades and free EnerGuide evaluations

The EnerGuide Post-Upgrade Home Evaluation is important as it:

• Ensures you can apply for rebates for your qualifying upgrades
• Allows you to track the improvements your upgrades made to your home
• Provides you with an up to date energy performance label for your home taking into account all of your upgrades

This EnerGuide Home Evaluations include a thorough home inspection, energy model and a blower door test as well as a detailed final report and performance score at the end.

For more information, watch these videos to understand a little more on the blower door test and the experience you would have as a resident:

• What is involved in the Blower Door Test?
• Learn what Laura thinks of the energy evaluation and why you should do it too! Click here to watch.

REGISTER NOW! 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

LOOKING FOR REBATES?

To support the move to high performance building, there are numerous rebates accessible for Exisiting Homes. The whole list can be seen here:
https://betterhomesbc.ca/

ENERGY CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

 If you qualify, based on your income, this program offers free installation and supply of energy efficient products, this is available for those who rent or own their homes. Some homes may even qualify for a refrigerator, insulation and a natural gas furnace. 

ECAP Qualified Registrants
Pre-evaluation	$ FREE

CHECK ELIGIBILITY

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

NEW HOMES

A new home is one of the biggest investments a person will make and will be a huge part of your life for years to come. Get the most out of your home by planning, designing and building a new home informed by energy modeling. Maximizing energy efficiency and minimizing operation costs is most effective and least expensive when done from the design stage. 

The Energy Assessment, combined with air tightness testing allows you to see the performance of your home right from design stage.

The BC Energy Step Code is coming – it focuses on a performance based code rather than a prescriptive code – essentially ensuring maximum flexibility of options of materials and techniques to get you to a high performance standard. 

Step Code aims to “building beyond the standard” that requires energy modeling and end-of-construction testing to ensure your home is built to perform well in terms of comfort, energy efficiency and of course safety.  
Learn more on building your home with maximum home comfort, long-term durability and reduced operating utility costs.   

To access more information and to be connected with a New Home Energy Advisor, please register:

REGISTER NOW! 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

REBATES

To support the move to high performance building, there are numerous rebates accessible for New Homes. The whole list can be seen here:
https://betterhomesbc.ca/

To reach Step Code, the current rebates are laid out below:

FortisBC & Nelson Hydro Electricity Regions: Apply through FortisBC for Step Code Rebates Available for buildings completed before December 31, 2021		BC Hydro Electricity & Non-Grid Regions: Apply through RDCK for Step 1 & 2 Rebate Apply through CleanBC for Step 3, 4 & 5 Rebates Available for buildings completed before December 31, 2021
Step 1 *For builders first project with an EA - apply  through an  Energy Solutions Mgr  or FortisBC rep	$500	Step 1 *Apply directly through RDCK	$500
Step 2	$3,000	Step 2 *Apply directly through RDCK	$3000
Step 3	$4,000	Step 3	$4000
Step 4	$6,000	Step 4	$6,000
Step 5	$10,000	Step 5	$10,000
Energy Advisor Support Rebate $500 per individually modelled home or unit ($400 to the builder / $100 to the Energy Advisor)		Energy Advisor Support Rebate $1000 per individually modelled home or unit ($800 to the builder / $200 to the Energy Advisor)
Bonus Additional Rebates ENERGY STAR natural gas dryer – $100 EnerChoice® natural gas fireplace – $500 Drain water heat recovery system – $250 Connected Thermostats – $100		All-Electric Bonus Build a home with no fossil fuel  $4,000 per home or unit

LOCAL CONTRACTORS

For your convenience, you can download this list of contractors who do energy upgrade work within the RDCK.

* Please note that this list is not a pre-qualified nor recommended list of contractors; it is for your convenience only. Inclusion on this list does not indicate endorsement by the RDCK or any party or persons affiliated with the Regional Energy Efficiency Program. You are welcome to contact any other contractor not on this list. If you use a contractor on or off of this list please ensure that you still ask the same questions as you would when hiring a contractor outside of this program. Some things to ask for are qualifications, references, licenses and experience. The work being done in your home is the sole responsibility of you and your contractor, not the RDCK or any persons affiliated with delivering the Regional Energy Efficiency Program.

INTERESTED IN THERMAL IMAGING?

The Regional Energy Efficiency Program (REEP) and FortisBC invites you to improve the energy efficiency of your home with a thermal imaging camera and the FortisBC draft-proofing kit. 
To learn how to participate in the See The Heat program and additional program resources please visit: 

SEE THE HEAT

 

The content on this page was last updated February 22 2021 at 3:12 PM

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