Social Housing Retrofit Support Program

Please note final deadlines for 2023 program participants:

Participants must have received a commitment letter from FortisBC on or prior to December 31, 2023 with approval for energy conservation measures such as gas furnaces, boilers, water heaters, condensing make up, air-handling and rooftop units.

Participants have 12 months from the commitment letter date to install eligible equipment and ensure it’s operational (December 31, 2024 the latest).

Participants have 90 days after the equipment is operational to submit their rebate application and all applicable documentation.

Through this program, we continue to offer funding for energy studies, various energy conservation measures and implementation support.

Within one program, housing providers and charities can access funding and support to save energy in multi-unit residential buildings.

Eligibility

1. You must be a FortisBC gas customer under any rate class other than rate 1 and an commercial electricity customer of either BC Hydro, FortisBC or a municipal electricity customer.¹
2. You must be a registered charity providing assistance to income-qualified persons, or a housing provider that is: 
   1. a local government
   2. housing society registered under the Societies Act
   3. a housing co-op registered under the Cooperative Association Act or
   4. a governing body of an Indigenous band, provided the housing is primarily for low-income households
3. You must be either the registered owner, long-term leaseholder, or property manager of the premises.
4. 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.

Review the terms and conditions

For invoices dated on or after December 1, 2022

For invoices dated before December 1, 2022

Program details

FortisBC and BC Hydro are working together 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.

Note: participants must apply through their key account manager and be approved before accessing funding and rebates through this program. BC Hydro customers can contact their key account managers for more information. 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.

Energy study funding – up to $28,000 (optional)

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 – up to $11,000 (optional)

Implementation support can 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. 

Terms and conditions apply and amounts are subject to change.

How to apply

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.

We’re here to help

If you have questions, contact your FortisBC key account manager for affordable housing.

Mel Tugade Tel: 604-592-7907 Cell: 604-209-9673 Email: [email protected]

Help your residents save energy too

We can help you upgrade units in your complex with free energy-saving products such as LED light bulbs, efficient showerheads and weatherstripping and help income-qualified residents with personalized energy-efficiency advice. Learn more about the Energy Conservation Assistance Program.

¹Includes New Westminster, Grand Forks, Penticton, Summerland and Nelson Hydro.