Kootenay

BC Hydro Energy Saving Kit

Our free energy saving kit for low-income households offers a variety of simple ways to help you save energy. By reducing how much energy you use every day, you can reduce how much you have to pay for heat and electricity. The tools in the kit will also increase the comfort of your home and help reduce our overall impact on the environment.

Sponsoring agency: BC Hydro
Type of agency: Utility company

Program offerings

The kit contains a number of simple, easy-to-install energy saving products including:
  • Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). CFLs use up to 75% less energy than regular light bulbs. They can also last up to 10 years.
  • Weatherstripping to put around your windows and doors and help keep out drafts. (You can find videos on draft proofing on our tips page.)
  • Fridge and freezer thermometers to help you set your refrigerator and freezer at an ideal temperature where your food stays cold, but you're not wasting any extra energy.
  • A low-flow showerhead that uses significantly less water than a standard showerhead.
  • For a full list of the products included in the Energy Saving Kit and how to use the products, download a copy of the Energy Saving Kit instruction manual [PDF, 1.8 Mb].

Eligibility


Application deadline

Program runs from April 2008- April 2011.

Application procedure

  1. Determine your total household income for last year, before taxes. (The easiest way to figure this out is to look at your last income tax return – and the returns of anyone else who lives with you in your home – and add them together.)
  2. Call us at 604 431 9463 (Lower Mainland) or 1 877 431 9463 (elsewhere in B.C.) and say you would like to register for an Energy Saving Kit. The line is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
  3. Be ready to tell us:
    • your BC Hydro account number (it's on your bill),
    • your total annual household income, before taxes,
    • the number of people in your household, and
    • where you live.

 

This information will be used to determine your eligibility for the program. We will not share this information with anyone else.

If you qualify, you will receive your free energy saving kit by mail in three to six weeks. Don't forget to complete the feedback survey included in your kit for your chance to win a $50 visa gift card (terms and conditions [PDF, 20 Kb]).


Contact information

Telephone: 604 224-9376 (Greater Vancouver); 1 800 224-9376 (Other Areas)
Website: Energy Saving Kit: BC Hydro website


BC Hydro Power Smart Compressed Air Initiative

The Compressed Air Initiative focuses on optimizing large compressed air systems and may benefit your organization if you are experiencing:
  • Frequent pressure drops
  • Shortage of air
  • High maintenance costs
  • High moisture levels
  • Oil carryover


Sponsoring agency: BC Hydro
Type of agency: Utility company

Eligibility

If you are an industrial customer that has a compressed air system greater than 200 hp, you are eligible to participate. If your compressed air system is smaller than 200 hp, there is also a Small Compressed Air Initiative (under 200 hp) offer.

Application procedure

A BC Hydro energy management engineer identifies opportunities by conducting a Compressed Air Saving Estimator (CASE) of your system. Based on the opportunities identified in the CASE, the next step would be a comprehensive investigation of your compressed air systems through an Energy Efficiency Feasibility Study.

After that, we will help you get your project off the ground by offering you financial incentives of up to 75% of the project cost. Our key account managers, engineers and pre-qualified consultants will work together to guide you through every stage of the process, from identifying and investigating efficiency opportunities to implementing successful projects.

For more information on the Compressed Air Initiative, contact your Key Account Manager or contact Customer Care at 604 453 6400 (Lower Mainland) or 1 866 453 6400 (elsewhere in BC).


Contact information

Website: Compressed Air Initiative


ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes

Although this program is closed to new applicants, please see the City Green Home Energy Efficiency Grants for details on the LiveSmart BC homeowner grants available now.

Sponsoring agency: Natural Resources Canada - Office of Energy Efficiency
Type of agency: Federal government

Program offerings

This program is closed to new applicants as of March 31st, 2010. If you have already booked your initial home energy assessment, the federal government has informed us that "the program is confident that all eligible homeowners who previously entered the program by scheduling or completing a pre-retrofit evaluation will still have the opportunity to apply for and receive a grant." More information.

The service includes:

  1. a detailed energy evaluation of your home carried out by a licensed energy advisor
  2. a "blower door" test to find air leaks
  3. a printed report that shows where your energy dollars are being spent and what you can do to improve your home's energy efficiency
  4. an energy efficiency rating label that shows you how energy efficient your home is compared with others in your region

Eligibility

For single family homes, row houses, and mobile homes on permanent foundations.

Application deadline

This program is currently closed to new applicants

Application procedure

Call City Green at 1 866 381 9995 or request an assessment online.

City Green is licensed by Natural Resources Canada to perform energy assessments, and is the only non-profit provider of the ecoENERGY Retrofit-Homes program in BC.





Financial Hardship Property Tax Deferment Program

The provincial government recently announced a new temporary program which will allow eligible homeowners facing financial hardship, and who have at least 15 per cent equity in their homes, to defer their 2009 and 2010 property taxes. The Financial Hardship Tax Deferment Program is a loan program that allows you to defer your annual property taxes on your home if you meet certain eligibility criteria. After deducting your Home Owner Grant, you can defer all or part of the unpaid balance of your residential property taxes for the current year. All penalties, interest, previous years' property taxes, and utility user fees must be paid to your municipal Tax Collector or the Surveyor of Taxes (rural properties), as these cannot be deferred.

Sponsoring agency: BC Government
Type of agency: Provincial government

Eligibility

You can defer your taxes as long as you own and live in your home and continue to qualify for the program. The deferred taxes must be fully repaid, with interest:
  • before your home can be legally transferred to a new owner, other than directly to your surviving spouse
  • upon the death of the agreement holder(s)

If you refinance your home, your mortgage holder may require full repayment of the deferred taxes upon refinancing. You may repay all or part of the deferred taxes and interest at any time without penalty.

Homeowners with at least 15 per cent equity in their home, based on assessed values as determined by BC Assessment, who declare that they are facing financial hardship due to current economic conditions, and who meet the program eligibility requirements, will be eligible to apply.


Restrictions

To qualify for the Financial Hardship Property Tax Deferment Program, you must:
  • be the registered owner(s) of the home
  • be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident under the Immigration Act (Canada)
  • have lived in British Columbia for at least one year immediately prior to applying
  • apply on the home in which you live
  • have a minimum equity of 15% in your home based on assessed values as determined by BC Assessment
  • have a current fire insurance policy on your home
  • You must occupy the home as your principal residence. Second residences, such as summer cottages or rental properties, do not qualify for tax deferment.
  • The property taxes are up to date prior to the current year Levy
  • If you own your home under a registered 99 year lease or have a life estate interest in your home, you may also qualify for tax deferment.
The deferred taxes will not have to be paid back to the Province until the homeowner sells their home or makes a registered change to ownership other than to a surviving spouse. However, the deferred balance owing may be paid back earlier without penalty.

Application procedure

Homeowners can apply for the program after the tax notices have been issued by their municipal or rural tax authorities.
  1. Receive your property tax notice.
  2. Complete the Application and Agreement for Financial Hardship Deferment of Property Taxes .
  3. The application form can be completed on screen and then printed out. Forms are also available at local municipal or Service BC–Government Agent offices. All registered owners must sign the deferment agreement.
  4. Return the completed application and agreement to your municipal or Service BC–Government Agent office for processing before the property tax due date. If you miss the due date, you have until December 31 of the current tax year to apply. Before applying, you must pay all penalties, interest, previous years' property taxes, utility user fees, as these cannot be deferred. Only outstanding taxes can be deferred, so if you have already paid your taxes, you may not defer taxes for this year.
  5. The municipal or Service–BC Government Agent office will complete the Collector portion and forward the application/agreement to the Tax Deferment Program.
  6. Due to the volume of applications, you may not be notified about your application status for several months.
  7. If your application is approved, it becomes a signed agreement and a certified copy is registered as a lien* in the Land Title Office or, if your home is a manufactured home, in the Personal Property Registry. The lien remains in effect until the account is paid in full. Once the lien is registered, the deferment program pays your current property taxes for you.
You must pay late payment penalty charges if, after the property tax due date, you:
  • are found ineligible for the program
  • cancel or withdraw your application for any reason before deferment program pays the taxes on your behalf
  • apply for deferment after the property tax due date
  • sell your home before the taxes have been paid on your behalf
Once you have been approved and enrolled in the Financial Hardship Property Tax Deferment program, you will be sent a statement of account and a renewal application the following year.

Contact information

Telephone: 1-800-663-7867
Email: ruraltax@gov.bc.ca
Website: BC Ministry of Finance Tax Deferment

Tax Deferment Program Ministry of Small Business and Revenue PO BOX 9446 STN PROV GOVT Victoria, BC V8W 9V6

BC Hydro Appliance Rebate Program

Get a mail-in rebate when you purchase an ENERGY STAR clothes washer, refrigerator or freezer between January 15, 2008 and March 31, 2010.

Sponsoring agency: BC Hydro
Type of agency: Utility company

Eligibility

For a limited time, the following rebates will be available on ENERGY STAR labeled appliances: 

  • $50 rebate for ENERGY STAR labeled clothes washers 
  • $50 rebate for ENERGY STAR labeled refrigerators 
  • $25 rebate for ENERGY STAR labeled freezers

Please check the ENERGY STAR website for more eligibility information.


Restrictions

The appliance must be purchased and ordered between January 15, 2008 and March 31, 2010, or until program funding is exhausted. A rebate cheque is generally mailed within 8-10 weeks. Only one application for each appliance type (i.e. clothes washer, refrigerator and freezer) will be accepted per household per customer. Customer must be a BC Hydro or City of New Westminster residential customer. The appliance must be installed in a residential dwelling within the BC Hydro or City of New Westminster service areas.

Application procedure

Step 1: Choose one of two application form options. With both options, you'll need to print the form, sign it and mail it in. The online version saves time and is designed to speed up delivery of the rebate. 

Step 2: Submit your completed rebate form.

  1. Sign your rebate application form. 
  2. Attach copies of all invoices or receipts showing the appliance purchase.
  3. Submit your application within 90 days of the appliance purchase to:

BC Hydro Power Smart Appliance Rebate Program
PO Box 9090 Station A
Surrey B.C.
V3T 5W4



Contact information

Website: BC Hydro Appliance Rebate Program


Fortis BC Energy Star Windows Rebate

Energy efficient windows are an essential component of the building envelope of any home. They’re an excellent long-term investment for your family and home because they can increase comfort by keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and lower your bill by reducing heating costs. Rebate is based on $0.50 per square foot

Sponsoring agency: FortisBC and Grand Forks, Kelowna, Penticton, Summerland and Nelson municipal utilities.
Type of agency: Utility company

Eligibility

  • You must be a customer of FortisBC, or one of the following municipal utilities: Grand Forks, Kelowna, Penticton, Summerland or Nelson Hydro.
  • Your home must be electrically heated (electric baseboard, electric forced air, electric boiler, and air source or ground source heat pumps).

Application procedure

Attach invoices (copies are acceptable). Invoices must clearly show project details, items purchased and total cost.
  • Sign and date Application Form .
  • Fax or mail application form and receipts to your local PowerSense representative (see contact information below)

Central Okanagan
Kim Jones- FortisBC PowerSense
Suite 100 - 1975 Springfield Rd. Kelowna, BC V1Y 7V7
Toll free: 1-866-436-7847 or 250-717-0808
Fax: 866-530-2966
Email: kim.jones@fortisbc.com

South Okanagan & Similkameen
Phil Hawkes—FortisBC PowerSense
1260 Commercial Way Penticton, BC V2A 3H5
Toll free: 1-866-436-7847 or 250-770-4606
Fax: 866-674-3692
Email: phil.hawkes@fortisbc.com

Kootenays
Suzanne Stansbury—FortisBC PowerSense
P.O. Box 130, Trail, BC V1R 4L4
Toll free:1-866-436-7847 or 250-368-0501
Fax: 866-674-3530
Email: suzanne.stansbury@fortisbc.com



Contact information

Website: Fortis BC: PowerSense for Your Home


Fortis BC Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb (CFL) Rebate

Fortis BC, PowerSense is offering rebates of up to $5 off each CFL purchased. Rebate is 50% of the cost for each bulb purchased to a maximum of $5.00 per bulb.

Sponsoring agency: FortisBC, and Grand Forks, Kelowna, Penticton, Summerland and Nelson municipal utilities.
Type of agency: Utility company

Eligibility

  • Only original sales receipts can be used as proof of purchase. Original receipts will not be returned to the purchaser.
  • You must be a customer of FortisBC, or one of the following municipal utilities: Grand Forks, Kelowna, Penticton, Summerland or Nelson Hydro.
  • Your home must be electrically heated (electric baseboard, electric forced air, electric boiler, and air source or ground source heat pumps).

Application procedure

To receive your rebate, please fill out Application form. Include CFL purchase sales receipt(s) with this form and mail to:

FortisBC
Box 130
Trail BC V1R 4L4

Contact information

Telephone: 1-866-436-7847
Website: www.fortisbc.com


Fortis BC Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) Rebate or Loan

New Home Program-Fortis BC, PowerSense is offering a loan or rebate towards installation of an Air Source Heat Pump for customers, or one of the following municipal utilities: Grand Forks, Kelowna, Penticton, Summerland or Nelson Hydro. Rebates are based on $0.05 per kWh savings. The average rebate on a 2000 sq. ft. home is approximately $300. Loans of up to $5000 financed at 4.9% over 10 years OAC.

Sponsoring agency: Fortis BC, Power Sense
Type of agency: Utility company

Eligibility

  • Recipient must be a customer of FortisBC, or one of the following municipal utilities: Grand Forks, Kelowna, Penticton, Summerland or Nelson Hydro.
  • Participants can either apply for a rebate (Based on $0.05 per kWh savings. Average rebate on a 2000 sq. ft. home is approximately $300) or apply for a loan of up to $5000 financed at 4.9% over 10 years OAC. Contact your local FortisBC PowerSense representative for pre-approval.
  • You must be a customer of FortisBC, or one of the following municipal utilities: Grand Forks, Kelowna, Penticton, Summerland or Nelson Hydro.
  • Your home must be electrically heated (electric baseboard, electric forced air, electric boiler, and air source or ground source heat pumps).
To qualify for PowerSense financial incentives, the ASHP unit must have a SEER of 13 or higher and an HSPF of 8.0 or higher.

Application procedure

  • Attach invoices (copies are acceptable). Invoices must clearly show project details, items purchased and total cost.
  • Sign and date application form.
  • Fax or mail application form and receipts to your local PowerSense representative.

Central Okanagan
Kim Jones- FortisBC PowerSense
Suite 100 - 1975 Springfield Rd. Kelowna, BC V1Y 7V7
Toll free: 1-866-436-7847 or 250-717-0808
Fax number: 866-530-2966
Email: kim.jones@fortisbc.com

South Okanagan & Similkameen
Phil Hawkes—FortisBC PowerSense
1260 Commercial Way
Penticton, BC V2A 3H5
Toll free: 1-866-436-7847 or 250-770-4606
Fax number: 866-674-3692
Email: phil.hawkes@fortisbc.com

Kootenays
Suzanne Stansbury—FortisBC PowerSense
P.O. Box 130, Trail, BC
V1R 4L4
Toll free: 1-866-436-7847 or 250-368-0501
Fax number: 866-674-3530
Email: suzanne.stansbury@fortisbc.com


Contact information

Website: Fortis BC Powersense


Terasen Gas Energy Assessment Program

Energy is a valuable business resource, and reducing inefficiencies in energy consumption is as important to us as it is to you. That's why Terasen offers a free energy assessment to qualified businesses.

The assessment may also include:p

  • equipment upgrade recommendations
  • information about payback periods
  • information on rebates or other incentives that may be available



Sponsoring agency: Terasen Gas
Type of agency: Utility company

Eligibility

Businesses located in the Lower Mainland, Squamish or the Interior that spend more than $20,000 are qualified to receive our free energy assessment.

Application procedure

  1. Download and complete the Energy Assessment Form for your type of business.
  1. Fax the form back to us at 604-576-7122.
  2. With the approval of your application, we'll have an energy efficiency consultant visit your site and make recommendations. The site visit generally takes a couple of hours. We recommend that one of your employees accompany the consultant.

    Shortly after, you'll receive the Terasen consultant's written assessment and recommendations to improve your business' energy efficiency.


Contact information

Telephone: 1-888-477-0777
Website: Energy Assessment Program


Vancity Green Building Grant Program

The Green Building Grant Program was established in 2004 by Vancity in partnership with the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia. The program’s vision is to minimize the impacts of climate change and improve sustainable land-use practices by supporting green building initiatives in B.C. Each year, the program provides grants of up to $50,000 each to qualified recipients. Applications are accepted from charitable organizations, not-for-profit organizations and co-operatives


Sponsoring agency: VanCity & Real Estate Foundation of BC
Type of agency: Financial institution

Program offerings

The Green Building Grant Program will consider funding projects, which focus on:
  • Building renovations or retrofits to existing buildings
  • Regulatory changes that advance green building development and practice
  • Education to increase the understanding and use of practical green building strategies
Applicants are required to include an educational component that encourages green building initiatives by sharing the benefits of their project with the public and other practitioners. We encourage partnerships between organizations (government, business and not-for-profit) that enhance cooperation, improve the effectiveness of projects and enable further green building development.

Eligibility

New building construction projects are not eligible. The Green Building Grant Program will accept grant applications from all B.C. based not-for-profit organizations, including cooperatives.

Application deadline

January 24, 2011

Application procedure

See VanCity's Green Building grant application information page.


Contact information

Website: Green Building Grant Program

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