Federal “greener homes” grant offers nearly $100 million in free energy-efficient upgrades for B.C. homeowners and renters

Late last month, the federal government announced that it was expanding its new green homes retrofit program to four provinces, including British Columbia.

Building on the popularity of the now-defunct Canada Greener Homes Grant, the initiative – which is called the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (CGHAP) – provides $93.8 million in funding to help low- and medium-income households in B.C. make their homes more energy-efficient, reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and lower their monthly utility bills.

How it works

Unlike its predecessor program, the CGHAP is open to both homeowners and renters who want to save money while reducing their environmental footprint. Also unlike the earlier grant, the CGHAP doesn’t require eligible families to spend any money out of their own pockets.

Instead, all of the federal funds allocated to B.C. will be delivered directly to BC Hydro and FortisBC. The provincial utilities will then determine which households are eligible for the grant, and hire professional contractors to install approved energy-efficiency upgrades in their homes through B.C.’s existing Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP) at absolutely no upfront cost to the recipients.

This includes carrying out energy-efficient retrofits, upgrades and renovations like:

·      Installing a new high-efficiency air supply heat pump

·      Upgrading to a dual-fuel home heating system

·      Adding or upgrading insulation

·      Installing new carbon monoxide detectors, smart thermostats or bathroom fans

·      Upgrading air-sealing, draft-proofing and other weatherization measures

Who’s eligible?

To qualify for funding, your household income must fall below a certain maximum threshold, which is determined based on how many working-age adults live in your home. For a family of two adults and two children, for example, the combined annual income limit is set at $63,600. For a single adult living alone, the maximum allowable income would be $51,100 a year.

In addition to expanding to include tenants along with homeowners, the CGHAP program will also be available for a wide range of different types of homes, including:

·      Detached single-family homes

·      Row homes and townhomes

·      Duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes

·      Apartments and condominiums

·      Manufactured and mobile homes

With additional funding also coming from BC Hydro, FortisBC and the provincial government, the program is expected to help upwards of 7,600 low- and medium-income households across B.C. save money and improve their energy-efficiency.

While the precise cost and energy improvements will vary from one household to another, experts estimate that the program could save an average B.C. family anywhere from $300 to $1,700 a year.

How to apply

The CGHAP grant will be made available to eligible households on a first-come, first-served basis. If you’re interested in taking part in the CGHAP program, visit the BC Hydro or FortisBC websites, review the income requirements to see if you qualify, and then apply for the grant either online or by mail.

If your application is approved, a representative from one of the provincial utilities will visit your home to carry out a free energy evaluation, recommend which upgrades you’re eligible to receive, and carry out the entire retrofit at no cost to you.

The program will also provide additional support for Indigenous governments and organizations through Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.

Questions?

Want to find out more? Visit the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (CGHAP) webpage or contact us for the answers to all your questions about buying, selling or owning a home.