Social Housing Retrofit Support Program
Varies
-
Customer
- Electricity customer
- Gas customer
-
Non-profit type
- Housing services
- Other services
-
Project type
- Existing building
Within one program, housing providers and charities can access funding and support to save energy in multi-unit residential buildings.
FortisBC is working to help housing providers and charitable organizations save energy and costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their buildings. Better yet, we’ll help guide you through the process.
Energy study funding
- A detailed energy study can help you identify measures that can lead to gas and/or electricity savings. If you choose this option, we will schedule a kick-off meeting and provide the Energy study guide to outline the requirements. To receive energy study funding, up to $8,000,you must use an engineering consultant listed on the FortisBC approved list and submit the completed energy study to us for review and approval.
- Note: FortisBC can provide additional funding, up to $20,000, for a gas absorption heat pump feasibility study. You’ll need to work with your engineering consultant to submit a feasibility study proposal to be considered for this funding.
Implementation support funding
- We can provide up to $11,000 in implementation support funding for eligible participants to help ensure retrofits are safe, permitted and meet quality standards. The engineering consultant will guide you through the various aspects of the retrofit such as:
- project management
- project specification and RFP
- engaging contractors to install equipment (these costs are separate from this funding)
- preparing required documentation and invoices for submission
- Implementation support funding may be available pending results of the energy study, and you must use an engineering consultant listed on the FortisBC approved list.
Rebates for energy conservation measures
- You can access rebates for a variety of gas and/or electric energy conservation measures for your building—refer to the table below.
- Terms and conditions apply and amounts are subject to change.
Energy study funding
Item | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
Energy study | Up to $8,000 |
|
Gas absorption heat pump feasibility study | Up to $20,000 | must work with your engineering consultant to submit a feasibility study proposal to be considered for this funding |
Implementation support funding
Item | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
Implementation support | Up to $11,000 |
|
Dual fuel equipment rebates
Dual fuel rooftop units (RTU): For invoices dated prior to July 4, 2025
Item | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
Dual fuel rooftop units (condensing) | 50 per cent of total project cost, up to $150,000 per premise |
|
Dual fuel rooftop units (standard efficiency) | 50 per cent of total project cost, up to $100,000 per premise |
|
Dual fuel rooftop units (RTU): For invoices dated on, or after, July 4, 2025
Item | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
Dual fuel rooftop units (condensing) | 50 per cent of total project cost, up to $225,000 per premise |
|
Dual fuel rooftop units (standard efficiency) | 50 per cent of total project cost, up to $150,000 per premise |
|
Gas equipment, systems and controls
Commercial heat pumps
Item | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
Gas absorption heat pumps | 75 per cent of the total project cost, up to $200,000 | Visit the gas absorption heat pump rebates page for eligible models. |
Commercial water heaters
Item | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
Solar hot water | $27,000 per unit |
|
Piping insulation | $4 per linear foot | for water and heating pipes |
Heating system optimization
Item | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
Heating system optimization | Varies | Visit Heating system optimization for social housing to learn about the requirements. |
Mechanical systems and controls
Item | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
Heating plant controller | $1,160 per unit | to reset boiler supply water based on outdoor air temperature |
Programmable thermostat | $50 per unit | must replace manual thermostat |
Vent damp for atmospheric boiler | $2,140 | to reduce standby losses of atmospheric boilers |
Electricity equipment and controls rebates
Heat pumps and electric water heaters
Item | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
Split system air source heat pumps (less than 5.4 tonnes) | $2,000 per unit |
|
Split system air source heat pumps (5.4 to 11 tonnes) | $450 per tonne |
|
Split system air source heat pumps (more than 11 tonnes) | $500 per tonne |
|
Rooftop unit air source heat pumps
Item | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
Rooftop unit air source heat pumps (less than 5.4 tonnes) | $2,000 per unit |
|
Rooftop unit air source heat pumps (5.4 to 11 tonnes) | $450 per tonne |
|
Rooftop unit air source heat pumps (11 to less than 15 tonnes) | $500 per tonne | |
Rooftop unit air source heat pumps (15 tonnes or more) | $550 per tonne |
Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems
Item | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
Standard VRF systems (two pipe) | $600 per tonne | AHRI 1230 certified |
Heat recovery VRF systems (two or three pipes) | $750 per tonne |
Heat pump water heaters
Item | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
All-in-one heat pump | $2,000 per unit | must be on the ENERGY STAR list of qualifying electric commercial heat pump water heaters |
CO2 heat pump system | $3,000 per unit |
LED lighting and controls
LED backlit signage
Item | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
LED signage | $12 per linear foot |
|
LED exterior and parking garage lighting
Item | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
LED flood light (251 to 350W) | $175 per fixture |
|
LED fuel canopy luminaire (up to 100 W) | $80 per unit |
|
LED fuel canopy luminaire (101 to 250 W) | $125 per unit | |
LED parking garage luminaire (up to 71 W) | $70 per fixture |
|
LED parking garage luminaire (71 to 120W) | $98 per fixture | |
LED wall pack luminaire (up to 30W) | $30 per fixture |
|
LED wall pack luminaire (31 to 60W) | $76 per fixture | |
LED wall pack luminaire (61 to 120W) | $100 per fixture |
LED interior luminaires (H4)
Item | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
LED ENERGY STAR fixture (up to 40W) | $24 per unit | must be approved and listed on the ENERGY STAR certified light fixtures list |
LED interior troffer (up to 40W) | $40 per unit |
|
LED interior troffer (41 to 80W) | $56 per unit | |
LED high-bay luminaire (201 to 250 W) | $150 per unit |
|
LED high-bay luminaire (251 to 300 W) | $170 per unit | |
LED low-bay luminaire (50 to 100W) | $84 per unit |
|
LED low-bay luminaire (101 to 150W) | $98 per unit |
LED lamps
Item | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
LED BR style lamp (10 to 18 W) | $7 per unit | must be listed and approved on the ENERGY STAR certified bulb list |
LED MR16 style lamp (up to 7 W) | $8 per unit | |
LED PAR style lamp (up to 12 W) | $10 per unit | |
LED PAR style lamp (13 to 24 W) | $10 per unit | |
LED T8 lamp, 4 ft (up to 13 W) | $5 per unit |
|
LED T8 lamp, 4 ft (14 to 22 W) | $5 per unit | |
LED T5HO lamp, 4 ft | $5 per unit |
LED streetlights and exterior luminaires
Item | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
LED area and roadway luminaire (up to 60W) | $60 per unit |
|
LED area and roadway luminaire (61 to 90W) | $83 per unit | |
LED area and roadway luminaire (91 to 120W) | $100 per luminaire | |
LED area and roadway luminaire (121 to 200W) | $120 per luminaire | |
LED area and roadway luminaire (201 to 300W) | $185 per luminaire |
Lighting controls and occupancy sensors
Item | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
Occupancy sensor (ceiling mounted, wall-mounted, switch-plate or fixture-mounted) | $35 per unit |
|
Photocell sensor (ceiling or wall-mounted) | $24 per unit | photocell sensors must be integral to the fixture |
Variable speed drives
Item | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
Variable speed drive (less than 20 hp) | $140 per motor hp |
|
Variable speed drive (20 hp or greater) | $112 per motor hp |
Windows and insulation
Item | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
Insulation (roof) | $0.15 x R-value x square feet |
|
Insulation (walls) | $0.16 x R-value x square feet | |
Weatherstripping | TBD | |
Windows | $50 per unit/square feet | For metal and nonmetal as well as double or triple glazing. |
- You must be a commercial FortisBC gas customer under any rate class other than Rate 1, and/or be a commercial electricity customer of either FortisBC or one of the following municipal providers: Grand Forks, Penticton, Summerland and Nelson Hydro.
- You must be a registered charity providing assistance to income-qualified persons, or a housing provider that is:
- a local government
- housing society registered under the Societies Act
- a housing co-op registered under the Cooperative Association Act or
- a governing body of an Indigenous band, provided the housing is primarily for low-income households
- You must be either the registered owner, long-term leaseholder, or property manager of the premises.
- The building where energy conservation measures will be implemented must be an existing multi-unit residential building with a minimum of nine units. Spaces being retrofitted should be common areas. Recreational spaces can qualify.
- Participants must apply through their key account manager and be approved before accessing funding and rebates through this program. Charities that want to participate in the program but do not have a residential building can apply and be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Contact your FortisBC key account manager to request an application.
If your project involves measures for electricity only and your building is in BC Hydro’s service area (including New Westminster), contact your BC Hydro key account manager.
Social Housing Retrofit Support Program for Multi-Unit Residential Buildings – Terms and conditions:
Varies
We're here to help
If you have questions, contact your FortisBC key account manager for affordable housing.
