  Upgrading Your Home?FortisBC is proud to partner with the Province of British Columbia and the federal government in LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Initiative, an innovative and comprehensive new energy efficiency program which offers B.C. homeowners a single access point for utility, provincial, and federal incentives. LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program
The LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program has reached its three-year target of 40,000 initial home energy assessments in only 15 months. The $60-million program is now fully committed and as such, will no longer provide incentives to new participants, effective end of business Aug. 15, 2009. For more information, please read the Information Bulletin and the Q&As. Homeowners who had their pre-retrofit home energy assessment performed prior to August 16, 2009: There is no change for homeowners currently in this program. All homeowners who entered the LiveSmart program by having their pre-retrofit home energy assessment performed prior to end of business on August 15, 2009, and who complete their post-retrofit home energy assessment before March 2011, or 18 months after they had their first home energy assessment, will be will be eligible for the rebates and incentives outlined here. Homeowners entering the program on or after August 16, 2009: Homeowners entering the program on or after August 16th are eligible for the federal EcoENERGY program incentives, which have recently been increased by 25 per cent. New entrants are also eligible for a subsidy for their pre-retrofit home energy assessment. This subsidy is still under development and is subject to the continuing availability of funds. http://www.livesmartbc.ca/homes/h_rebates.html PowerSense Home Improvement Program (HIP)Through our longstanding Home Improvement Program, FortisBC continues to offer expert advice and valuable rebates to homeowners who are not already accessing our services and rebates through the LiveSmart BC program. Energy efficient product rebates are available for energy efficient windows, insulation upgrades, compact fluorescent lighting (CFL’s), air source heat pumps (ASHP), and ground source heat pumps (GSHP). HIP Requirements:
Heating & Cooling IncentivesHeating and cooling costs account for up to 60% of your energy bill, so taking advantage of energy efficient technologies and solutions can mean real savings on your energy bill. Quick Links:
ENERGY STAR© Windows RebateEnergy 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. Rebate details: Rebate is based on $0.50 per square foot. Quick Links:
Solar Hot Water Retrofit SystemsFortisBC PowerSense is pleased to offer a $1,000 rebate for solar hot water retrofits done on a bulk scale in existing stratified communities, row housing and neighbourhoods. For bulk buys of over 20 systems, an additional $375 discount is available through select certified installers, resulting in significant savings Advantages of Solar Hot Water Retrofits
Basic Requirements Checklist To be suitable for solar hot water systems, the following homes will qualify:
Insulation UpgradeProper insulation helps keep your home cool in the summer, and warm in the winter. It comes in a variety of types including mineral or organic material, plastic foam, spray foam, glass fibers, batts, blankets, rigid foam-board or fiberboard. Insulation performance is measured by R-value, which refers to its ability to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better, however different R-values are recommended for walls, attics, basements and crawlspaces, depending on the area you live. Rebate details: Rebate is calculated at $0.05 per kWh in savings. Quick Links
Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) Rebate or LoanAn 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. Learn more about air source heat pumps. Rebate & Loan Details: Rebate is calculated at $0.05 per kWh in savings, with an average rebate being approximately $300. Alternatively, you can apply for a loan of up to $5000 OAC financed over 10 years at 4.9%. Qualifying ModelsNatural Resources Canada (NRCAN) 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 ratings are usually printed on the back page of manufacturers ’literature for each model. One rating is for the cooling side called Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER). The other rating is for the heating side of the ASHP unit is called the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF).
*LiveSmart BCFor installations to existing homes you can access the FortisBC rebate through the LiveSmart BC Incentives Program. Therefore if you are installing a heat pump and taking advantage of the LiveSmartBC incentives you do not apply directly to FortisBC for the PowerSense rebate. If you have a home heated primarily using electricity you can still take advantage of our loan, but $300 will be deducted from the LiveSmartBC rebate. LiveSmart BC is a $60-million government project running until March 31, 2011. This program offers incentives for energy-efficient upgrades, drawing together both federal, provincial, and utility promotions. The first step in the program is to order an energy evaluation for your home by contacting LiveSmartBC at 1-866-430-8765. Home Renovation Tax Credit - a new renovation tax credit of up to $1,350 toward a wide variety of home improvements, http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/gncy/bdgt/2009 Quick Links:
Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) Rebate or LoanA 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. Learn more about Ground Source Heat Pumps 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
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Lighting IncentivesLighting 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. Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb rebate (Up to $5 per bulb)CFLs use 75% less energy, last up to ten times longer than incandescent bulbs, and are available for a wide variety of styles. Receive up to $5 (to a maximum of 50%) for every CFL bulb you purchase. Download a CFL rebate form.
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Lots of equipment has chargers, such as laptops, cell phones and digital cameras. When they are not charging, unplug them, as they draw some power whenever they are plugged in. 
Energizing solar hot water in BC. SolarBC helps out with up to $1,625 towards the cost. Installing solar hot water will improve your energy security, save you money, and give you peace of mind.
The LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program can help you save money and energy on residential and business upgrades.
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