New Home Program
FortisBC is advancing energy efficiency in new home construction by helping builders and developers achieve higher levels of the BC Energy Step Code with support through the New Home Program. The program helps lower the costs of incorporating higher energy efficiency in new home construction and building to higher code standards.
Our team is here to help
For advice on the energy-efficiency options best suited for your project, or help with understanding the BC Energy Step Code, or completing your rebate application, contact a energy solutions manager or a program qualified energy advisor.
Program eligibility
- To qualify for rebates, the home(s) must meet this criteria:
- new construction
- built on a permanent foundation
- built in FortisBC’s gas or electricity service areas
- a maximum of three storeys high
- one of the following:
- detached house (may include a secondary suite)
- attached house (e.g. semi-detached, townhouses, duplexes, triplexes, row house or attached house with or without a secondary suite)
- laneway home
The home's mechanical system must undergo commissioning to ensure the system is installed and operating according to best practice.
For homes with a dual fuel mechanical system, applications must be submitted within six months of project completion or by December 31, 2027, whichever comes first.
- For homes with an all-electric mechanical system, applications must be submitted within six months of project completion or by December 31, 2025, whichever comes first.
Review all the terms and conditions
Dual fuel
- combination space and water heating system integrated1 with a heat pump, or
- furnace integrated with a heat pump, electric water heating
Integrated means a system that is:
- operated by a single system of controls
- connected to a single heat distribution system, and
- designed, rated and sold together as a single heating system, or combined into a single package and sold together as a single heating system.
Switchover temperature:
Climate Zone 4: Lower than 5oC
Climate Zone 5, 6, 7, 7A, 7B, 8: Lower than 2 oC
All-electric (FortisBC electric service territory only)
- electric furnace, baseboards or heat pump, electric water heating
Rebate details
Subject to terms and conditions, there are various rebates available for eligible builders and developers:
Whole home rebates
| Home performance | Rebate |
|---|---|
| Step 4 | Homes built to Step 4 may qualify for a rebate of $15,000 |
| Step 5 | Homes built to Step 5 may qualify for a rebate of $20,000 |
| Energy advisor support | Rebate |
|---|---|
| You must have hired a program-qualified energy advisor to qualify for home performance rebates. The advisor will help maximize the efficiency of your project and the rebate will help you lower your costs. |
|
| Equipment and appliance rebates | Rebate |
|---|---|
$250 for properties where a FortisBC energy source is supplying domestic hot water | |
$100 for properties where a FortisBC energy source is supplying space heating | |
Up to $100 for FortisBC electricity customers | |
Up to $100 for FortisBC electricity customers | |
Up to $250 for FortisBC electricity customers |
Design offer rebates
Rebates for integrated design process focused on improved building envelopes and installing high efficiency equipment:
| Design offer | Rebate |
|---|---|
Integrated design process | $1,000 |
Building envelope design | Up to $3,000 |
Mechanical design | Up to $3,000 |
How to apply
- The program-qualified energy advisor has all the necessary tools to submit the application on your behalf.
- Apply online for New Home Program rebates:
- For homes with a dual fuel mechanical system, applications must be submitted within six months of project completion or by December 31, 2027, whichever comes first.
- For homes with an all-electric mechanical system, applications must be submitted within six months of project completion or by December 31, 2025, whichever comes first.
- If you are eligible, we’ll mail your rebate in the form of a cheque. Please allow up to 90 days to process.
Note: the rebate application link below takes you to Account login. Once you've registered and/or logged in you can start your rebate application.
Hint: we recommend using the Google Chrome™ browser for the best experience.
Start your rebate application
For more tips on using the online rebate application, read our how-to guide.
Additional information
2023 New Home Program applicants
If you have pre-registered for the 2023 New Home Program, rebate details can be found on the 2023 program page.
Building new homes to higher steps of the BC Energy Step Code
Learn how new home builders and developers are achieving the higher steps of the BC Energy Step Code.
Support for Indigenous communities
Indigenous communities may qualify for enhanced New Home Program rebates. To learn more, please contact us at [email protected] or call 1-866-884-8833 and select option 4.
