NEW – BC: CPA challenges province’s decision to only provide rebates to homeowners who switch to heat pumps

The Province is doubling CleanBC Better Homes retrofit rebates for select home-heating and energy-efficiency upgrades to support its economic recovery and help British Columbians save on energy costs.

British Columbians wanting to switch from fossil fuel-based heating to cleaner, more energy-efficient heat pumps have access to low-interest financing as part of CleanBC.

The CPA is challenging the province’s decision to only provide rebates to homeowners who switch to heat pumps. In many parts of British Columbia, such as rural and remote areas, heat pumps are not an efficient nor effective alternative for switching from home heating oil and diesel. Low-emission propane is a viable option to help reduce overall emissions.

We urge you to express your opposition to propane being excluded from the program. Access a template letter here to send to the ministries of Environment and Climate Change and Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. Members, the document can also be accessed in the Document Centre in your online member profile. (Category: BC Committee).

As the program stands, select residential rebates to switch to high-efficiency heating equipment have increased as follows until June 30, 2021:

• double the rebate from $3,000 to $6,000 when switching from a fossil fuel heating system to a high-efficiency heat pump;
• double the rebate from $1,000 to $2,000 when switching from a fossil fuel water heater to a heat pump water heater;
• double the rebate from $500 to $1,000 for an electrical service upgrade when switching from a fossil fuel heating system to a heat pump; and
• a $3,000 rebate on an interest-free loan when switching from a fossil fuel heating system to a high-efficiency heat pump and accessing the CleanBC low-interest financing program.

For more information, contact Government Relations Director, West, Tanis Fiss.