New home construction

We’ve adopted the BC Energy Step Code as the energy performance standard for our New Home Program. Build a home more energy efficient than the minimum BC Building Code requirements and you can qualify for a home performance rebate ranging from $1,000 to $8,000. Or you can pick and choose from a variety of rebates such as high-efficiency natural gas water heaters and fireplaces. Homes located in our electricity service area are also eligible for ENERGY STAR® appliance and heat pump water heater rebates.  

Eligibility

To qualify for rebates through this program, the home(s) must be:

1. new construction
2. built in FortisBC’s natural gas or electricity service areas
3. a maximum of four storeys high
4. 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

Review all the terms and conditions.

Rebate details

Choose from either option A or B below. And for projects located in FortisBC’s electricity service area, additional ENERGY STAR appliance rebates are also available. 

Option A

Build a home to BC Energy Step Code 2 or higher using natural gas space and water heating (or electricity space and water heating in FortisBC’s electricity service area) and qualify for:

• home performance rebates ranging from $1,000 to $8,000
• energy advisor evaluation rebates
• natural gas fireplaces and dryers and drain water heat recovery rebates  

See the BC Energy Step Code requirement in the community you’re building in. Then view the home performance rebate for each step below.  

Home performance rebate	Energy advisor support rebate	Additional rebates
Step 2 - $1,000	We provide $500 total in energy advisor support: mid-construction - the energy advisor receives $100 construction completed - the builder receives $400	ENERGY STAR  natural gas dryer - $100 EnerChoice® natural gas fireplace - $300 Drain water heat recovery system - $250
Step 3 - $2,000
Step 4 - $4,000
Step 5 - $8,0001

Option B

Build a home to minimum code or BC Energy Step Code 1 and you can pick and choose from a variety of rebates, including:

• high-efficiency water heater rebates
• energy advisor evaluation rebates
• natural gas fireplaces and dryers and drain water heat recovery rebates

Eligible high-efficiency water heaters	Energy advisor support rebate2	Additional rebates
ENERGY STAR 0.67 EF storage tank - $200 ENERGY STAR condensing tankless - $1,000 ENERGY STAR condensing storage tank - $1,000 ENERGY STAR natural gas combination heating and hot water system - $1,200 P9 combination heating and hot water system - $1,200   Heat pump water heater - $1,0003	We provide $500 total in energy advisor support: mid-construction - the energy advisor receives $100 Construction completed - the builder receives $400	ENERGY STAR natural gas dryer - $100 EnerChoice® natural gas fireplace - $300 Drain water heat recovery system - $250

Electric appliance rebates³

If your project is located in FortisBC’s electricity service area, additional rebates are also available on ENERGY STAR washers, electric dryers and fridges.

ENERGY STAR appliances
Eligible washers - $100 Eligible electric dryers - $100 to $250 Eligible fridges - $50 to $100 Heat pump water heater - $1,0003 (available only when choosing option B above)

How to apply

For home performance rebates

1. Before construction begins, contact your FortisBC natural gas energy solutions manager or electricity technical advisors to put you in touch with an energy advisor. We’ll also help you in the design and planning stage, and support you along the way to help you achieve the desired step code.
2. Complete a pre-construction, mid-construction (if required) and completion consultation with your energy advisor.
3. Your energy advisor has all the necessary tools and will submit the application on your behalf within six months of the issuance of the building occupancy permit.

For appliance and water heater rebates

1. Select the applicable application(s):
   • Natural gas appliances and systems application
     (e.g. water heater, dryer, fireplace and drain water heat recovery)
   • Electric appliances and systems application³
     (e.g. fridge, washer, dryer, heat pump water heater and drain water heat recovery)
2. Be sure to include copies of paid purchase invoices, which include the purchase date and make and model numbers of appliances.
3. Submit your application:
   • For natural gas appliances and systems, email your application and supporting documents to newhome@consumer-response.com.
   • For electric appliances and systems, email your application and supporting documents to electricrebates@fortisbc.com.
4. If you qualify, we’ll mail you the rebate. Please allow up to 90 days to process.

Additional resources

Learn more about the benefits of building high performance homes through BC Housing’s Local Energy Efficiency Partnership video series.

We’re here to help

For advice on the energy-efficiency options best suited for your project or help with understanding the new BC Energy Step Code and completing your rebate application, contact our natural gas energy solutions managers and electricity technical advisors.

¹Pre-approval from FortisBC is required.
²While an energy evaluation is not required to access option B rebates, it is recommended.
³Electric heat pump water heater and electric appliance rebates are only available in FortisBC’s electricity service area (includes Grand Forks, Penticton, Summerland and Nelson Hydro).