Pilot programs - test new technologies and get incentives
We need your help to test innovative technologies that have the potential to decrease the amount of energy a home or business needs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and make smarter use of energy overall. If you’d like to hear about opportunities to participate, please sign up to be notified about upcoming pilot programs. If chosen to be part of a pilot, you could be eligible for incentives and be among the first to test new technology.
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We’re always looking for opportunities to help our customers reduce their costs, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, while supporting the province’s climate action goals. With the involvement of pilot participants, our Innovative Technologies team runs pilot programs to test new technologies that have the potential to save energy in homes and businesses across B.C.
Pilot program success
Many of our past pilot programs have been very successful and are now rebate programs available to all customers. Discover how one successful pilot became a permanent program.
Pilot programs underway
Learn about our residential and commercial pilot progams currently underway.
Summary: For residential customers currently using a dual-fuel hybrid heating system
Program details: We’re collecting data from about 500 customers in the Lower Mainland, Okanagan area, Northern B.C. and Vancouver Island who are using dual-fuel hybrid heating technologies (an electric heat pump for primary heating/cooling and a gas furnace with integrated controls for supplemental heating).
We’re evaluating energy savings and overall customer satisfaction and may develop future rebate programs depending on the success of this pilot.
Results: Expected in 2025
Summary: For residential customers testing a new gas absorption heat pump
Program details: Ten residential gas customers are testing a new gas absorption heat pump for space and water heating which has a manufacturer’s claim of being more than 100 per cent efficient. As with all gas equipment, these systems can operate on Renewable Natural Gas1 (RNG).
Pilot participants are in the Lower Mainland and in the Interior so we can compare system efficiencies and reliability across different climate zones, as well as evaluating overall customer satisfaction. The results from this pilot program may lead to a gas absorption heat pump rebate program for residential FortisBC customers in the future.
Results: Interim result expected in 2024, final results in 2025
Summary: For single-family houses and multi-unit residential buildings that are significantly upgrading building envelopes and heating systems
Program details: The deep energy retrofit pilot is targeting a 50 per cent reduction in energy consumption and GHG emissions, and includes a group of multi-unit residential buildings (e.g., rental apartments) and single-family homes to test different approaches and technologies.
The work includes improvements to the building envelope, including windows and doors, and heating systems. Existing space heating systems are being replaced with high-efficiency technologies, such as gas absorption or gas engine-driven heat pumps. The results of the pilot program will help us determine the feasibility of offering a full-scale rebate program to all customers in the future.
Results: Expected in 2025
Summary: For commercial customers testing gas engine-driven heat pumps
Program details: Six commercial customers in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Okanagan area are testing gas engine-driven heat pumps that provide high-efficiency space heating, cooling, domestic hot water and ventilation. As with all gas equipment, these systems can operate on RNG1.
This pilot is providing us with valuable field data demonstrating the performance of this technology in different climate zones. We’ll use the results to develop rebate programs which will help more commercial customers benefit from installing this technology, reducing their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Results: Expected in 2025
Summary: For residential customers currently using an electric heat pump
Program details: Five residential customers using electric heat pumps on Vancouver Island, in the Okanagan area and in Northern B.C. are participating in this pilot program. They’re providing data on their energy consumption and overall satisfaction with the technology, which we’ll compare with the performance of other innovative technologies.
Results: Expected in 2024
Sign up to find out about future pilot programs
We need customers to help us pilot new innovative technologies. If you’d like to hear about opportunities to participate, sign up to be notified about upcoming pilot programs.
We’re here to help
For more information about our pilot programs, email [email protected].
1 Renewable Natural Gas (also called RNG or biomethane) is produced in a different manner than conventional natural gas. It is derived from biogas, which is produced from decomposing organic waste from landfills, agricultural waste and waste water from treatment facilities. The biogas is captured and cleaned to create low-carbon Renewable Natural Gas.