B.C. residents can save up to $1,700 on energy bills
Federal program expansion brings heat pump rebates and insulation upgrades to low- and median-income households.
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The federal government has expanded the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program to B.C. and several other provinces, offering eligible low- and median-income households free energy retrofits that could save between $300 and $1,700 annually on energy bills while reducing household emissions by around 1.5 tonnes per year.
Over $500 million in funding — $300 million federal — will help more than 35,000 households install heat pumps, improve insulation, enhance air sealing, and upgrade ventilation systems at no cost.
Potential retrofits include high-efficiency electrical heat pumps or insulation upgrades for attics, exterior walls, and basements. Smart or programmable thermostats are also available. Those switching from oil heating to heat pumps can save over $1,300 and reduce emissions by 2.8 tonnes annually. On average, retrofitted homes are saving $386 per year on energy bills.
BC Hydro and FortisBC will help deliver the program in B.C. BC Hydro President and CEO Charlott Mitha said the province is helping lower-income customers reduce energy use and transition to cleaner technologies like heat pumps more affordably.
B.C. Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions Adrian Dix called heat pump switching one of the most effective ways to lower emissions while reducing costs. The Canadian government notes that over 96 per cent of emissions come from space and water heating.
B.C. is contributing $8 million through CleanBC, BC Hydro is contributing $100.5 million, and FortisBC is providing $20.1 million. The program is available to residents of Quebec, B.C., Nova Scotia, P.E.I., and Manitoba.
