Rebate bundle: Home renovations

Door & window rebates

Heat pump rebate

Heat pump water heater rebate

Home renovation bonus rebates

Insulation rebates

Natural gas boiler and combination heating and hot water system rebates

Natural gas fireplace rebate

Natural gas furnace rebates

Natural gas water heater rebate

Install two or more eligible energy-efficiency upgrades (boiler and combination system rebates count as two upgrades) and you could qualify for home renovation bonus rebates from $300 to $2,000.

Natural gas water heater rebate

Upgrade to a qualifying natural gas ENERGY STAR® water heater and you could get rebates from $200 to $1,000.

Eligibility

1. You must be a residential FortisBC natural gas customer.

2. You must be replacing an existing water heater.

3. Your rebate application must be postmarked within 60 days of the purchase date. Invoices must be dated on or after January 1, 2019.

Review all the terms and conditions.

Rebate details

If it’s time to replace your old water heater, you have choices beyond a standard storage tank, including high-efficiency tankless and condensing models. Compare each type below and choose a qualifying natural gas ENERGY STAR water heater for a rebate of up to $1,000. 

Upgrade Rebate Features1

Storage tank

Eligible models

 $200

Efficiency: good – energy factor (EF) of 0.67 to 0.70

Average installed cost: $1,500 to $1,800

Life expectancy: 10 to 13 years

Pros:

  • can handle multiple, simultaneous demands for hot water
  • quick recovery means there’s less chance of running out of hot water (some units can heat up to five gallons per minute)

Cons:

  • some heat will be lost through the flue gases exhausted to the outdoors
  • electrical outlet required, so it won’t work during a power outage

Condensing tankless

Eligible models

 $1,000

Efficiency: ultimate – EF of 0.90 to 0.99

Average installed cost: $4,000 to $4,900

Life expectancy: about 20 years

Pros:

  • heats water as you need it
  • takes up less space than a storage tank
  • can be wall mounted
  • condensing technology means heat from flue gases is recovered instead of lost, helping to save energy and costs

Cons:

  • you may have to wait a few seconds for hot water when you turn on the tap
  • most won’t work during a power outage
  • requires a drain for water condensation leaving the system

Condensing storage tank

Eligible models

 $1,000

Efficiency: ultimate – thermal efficiency (TE) of up to 98 per cent

Average installed cost: $3,500 to $4,300

Life expectancy: 12 to 15 years

Pros:

  • offers the benefits of a standard storage tank with much higher efficiency
  • good for large households and can handle multiple, simultaneous demands for hot water
  • quick recovery means there’s less chance of running out of hot water (some units can heat up to five gallons per minute)

Cons:

  • requires a drain for water condensation leaving the system

How can I tell if my water heater needs replacing

There’s no repairing a leaky water heater. If you notice any of these signs it may be time to get a new one. You can purchase your water heater from a retailer, but to be eligible for this rebate it must be installed by a gas contractor licensed by Technical Safety BC.

  • leaking or pooling water on the top around the water connections and/or under or near the heater
  • rust stains on laundry or in showers or sinks may be evidence of rust buildup in the water heater
  • rusty water comes out of the taps
  • slow hot water recovery time – it takes longer to heat up water or the water doesn’t get as hot even though heat settings haven’t changed
  • bubbling or boiling noises in your tank as water heats up

How to apply

  1. Purchase a qualifying water heater and have it installed by a gas contractor licensed with Technical Safety BC. You can find a gas contractor through our online directory.
  2. Complete the water heater rebate application and include a copy of the paid invoice showing details of all work performed, including the purchase date, make and model number, the installation permit number and the gas contractor’s Technical Safety BC licence number. See a sample invoice for water heaters for specific requirements.
  3. Email or mail your completed application and copies of supporting documents within 60 days of the installation date to:

    rebates@fortisbc.com

    or

    ENERGY STAR Water Heater Program
    FortisBC
    PO Box 9090
    Surrey, BC V3T 5W4

    Note: if mailing, registered mail is recommended.

  4. Applications may take up to 90 days to process.

Third-party offers & services

EfficiencyBC

EfficiencyBC is a free service offered by City Green Solutions, a third-party, non-profit organization. It provides homeowners and contractors with information on energy-efficiency upgrades for homes, including:

  • Rebates from your local municipality and the Government of BC.
  • Energy Coach advice on options and incentives for saving energy. Note: FortisBC is not responsible for any advice provided by the energy coach.

We’re here to help

If you have questions about our rebates, call 1-800-663-8400 or email rebates@fortisbc.com.

1Every home is different. Installation costs are averages and can vary depending on the installation requirements in each home.