New Home Program

A house is made up of components that work together to form an integrated system. The performance of one component depends on its relationship with other components in the same system.  The most efficient way to save money in your home is to build with energy efficiency in mind. Through our New Home Program (NHP), we offer homeowners valuable rebates on energy efficient windows and lighting, and technologies like air and ground source heat pumps for their new construction project.   

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Looking for simple tips and solutions for saving energy in your home? Click here for easy, low-cost and no-cost Bright ideas!

NHP Requirements

You must be a customer of FortisBC, or one of the following municipal utilities: Grand Forks, Kelowna, Penticton, Summerland or Nelson Hydro.

Heating & Cooling Incentives

Heating and cooling costs account for up to 59% of your energy bill, so taking advantage of energy efficient technologies and solutions can mean real savings on your energy bill.   Learn more about the heating and cooling options available for your home.

ENERGY STAR® Windows Rebate

Energy efficient windows are an essential component of the building envelope of any home. They’re an excellent long-term investment for your family and home because they can increase comfort by keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and lower your bill by reducing heating costs. Incentives vary from $0.25 to $0.75 per square foot, depending on your Climate Zone and the quality of window you install. To determine your Climate Zone, visit www.nrcan.gc.ca.

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Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) Rebate or Loan

An air source heat pump can save you up to 40% on your home’s heating and cooling costs, and provide you with heat in the winter and cooling in the summer.    An ASHP is an electric device that sits outside your home absorbing heat from the outdoor air in winter, and removing heat from inside your home in the summer. Air conditioners and refrigerators are examples of heat pump technology.

Rebate & Loan Details: Rebate is calculated at $0.05 per kWh in savings, with an average rebate on a 2000 sq. ft. home being approximately $300.  You can also apply for a loan of up to $5000 OAC financed over 10 years at 4.9%.

Qualifying Models: Natural Resources Canada and the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) have developed an EnerGuide rating system to determine the level of efficiency offered by each ASHP model.  The EnerGuide rating is often printed on the back page of manufacturers’ literature for each model. This rating indicates the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). To qualify for PowerSense financial incentives the ASHP must have a SEER of at least 13.0.

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Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) Rebate or Loan

A ground source heat pump can save you up to 65% on your home’s heating and cooling costs, and provide you with heat in the winter and cooling in the summer.  Solar energy stored in the ground is captured in a solution circulating through underground pipes and carried back to a heat pump installed inside your home. The heat pump distributes heat indoors during cold weather, displacing conventional heating systems and collects it during hot weather, acting as an air conditioner.  

Rebate & Loan Details: Rebate is calculated at $0.05 per kWh in savings, with an average rebate on a 4000 sq. ft. home being approximately $900.  You can also apply for a loan of up to $5000 OAC financed over 10 years at 4.9%.

GSHP Incentive Requirements:

  • The GSHP will be installed in a residential dwelling.
  • The GSHP system uses closed loop underground piping or open loop e.g. well, if water source is suitable.
  • The system equipment design and installation meets CSA Standards.

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Lighting Incentives

Lighting in your home accounts for 5 to 10% of your total energy use.  It may not seem like much, but you can still achieve savings in the long-term by changing your usage habits and switching to more energy efficient technologies. Learn more about energy efficient lighting.

FREE Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Bulbs

Receive 10 free compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs valued at over $100!  CFLs use 75% less energy, last up to ten times longer than incandescent bulbs, and are available for a wide variety of fixtures.  CFLs will be mailed directly to your home.  Download a New Home Program application form

Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb rebate (Up to $5 per bulb)

Receive up to $5 (to a maximum of 50%) for every CFL bulb you purchase.   CFLs use 75% less energy, last up to ten times longer than incandescent bulbs, and are available for a wide variety of fixtures.  Download a CFL rebate form.

Solar Hot Water Systems

 

FortisBC PowerSense is offering a $1,000 rebate to builders and developers who include solar hot water systems in new home projects and developments. For bulk buys of over 20 systems, an additional $375 discount is available through select certified installers.

Solar hot water systems will help to differentiate proactive builders in a crowded market. Some advantages of solar hot water systems in new homes are:

  • Reduced monthly operating costs for homeowner
  • Extended life over traditional water heaters
  • Increased resale value
  • Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and reduced carbon footprint
  • Unique ‘green’ marketing opportunity and selling feature
  • Protection from rising energy prices

 

To be suitable for solar hot water systems, the following new homes will qualify and should incorporate the design criteria listed:

  • Single-family residences; or small multi-unit residences (row or townhomes) with a separate exterior entrance and comprising less than 600 square metres of building area; or three or fewer stories of building height
  • Have at least six square metres of south-facing roof space
  • Ensure no shade or limited shade from 10 am – 4 pm on the south-facing part of the roof
  • May need additional space next to the conventional hot water tank for an additional solar storage tank

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