If you’ve heard about the 2025 ECAP (Energy Conservation Assistance Program) in BC, you might be wondering what it actually is, whether you qualify and how to start the process. ECAP stands for the Energy Conservation Assistance Program, and it’s one of the most helpful current programs for income-qualified households who want to reduce their energy bills and make their homes more efficient without having to take on big renovation costs.
Here’s how it works, who benefits and what your first steps should be if you’re looking to take advantage:
What ECAP Is Designed To Do
ECAP helps income-qualified households reduce energy use by offering free energy-saving upgrades (substantial ones at that) and free home Energuide assessments. The program is administered through the provincial initiative – Clean BC and Better Homes BC. The goal is to help people save on their monthly utility bills, improve comfort and reduce overall energy consumption.
The program is offered through partnerships between BC Hydro, FortisBC and participating community organizations. It’s available for both homeowners AND renters, including people in non-profit housing.
Who ECAP Helps
ECAP is meant for households that may struggle to afford home upgrades or rising utility costs. If you meet the income qualifications as a homeowner or renter, you may qualify.
Below is the income qualification chart divided by number of total people in the household and maximum income before tax:
| NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN HOUSEHOLD(INCLUDING CHILDREN) | MAXIMUM HOUSEHOLD INCOME BEFORE TAX |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $40,700 |
| 2 people | $50,600 |
| 3 people | $62,300 |
| 4 people | $75,600 |
| 5 people | $85,700 |
| 6 people | $96,700 |
| 7 or more people | $107,600 |
In general, ECAP is designed for:
• Homeowners with lower household incomes
• Renters, including those in subsidized or non-profit housing
• People who want to improve comfort but can’t take on expensive renovations
• Households that want to lower their energy bills but aren’t in a position to pay for upgrades on their own
Eligibility is typically based on household income and the number of people living in the home. It doesn’t require you to be a BC Hydro customer only; some services also apply to FortisBC customers.
Existing heating type must be electricity or natural gas – oil or propane heated homes are not eligible for this program.
What You Can Get Through ECAP
Depending on your situation and your home, ECAP may provide:
• A free home energy evaluation (Energuide Evaluation)
• An free air source heat pump, including 2 years of maintenance after installation
• Free draftproofing, weatherstripping, or “other” weatherizing measures
• Insulation upgrades
• Advice on reducing energy use
The best part is that these upgrades are completely paid for by the program, not the applicant. There is no upfront cost requirement to the applicant. This is a huge pillar of this program, considering a lot of other high-value programs require applicants to be able to pay up front and recooperate some costs later via rebates or loans.
How the Process Works
One of the reasons ECAP is so helpful is that it’s simple. Here’s how the process usually works from start to finish.
- Determine if you’re income-qualified
You’ll fill out an application with details about your household income and the number of people living in your home. - Get contacted by the program team
Once approved, an ECAP representative will reach out to schedule a free in-home Energuide assessment with an NRCan Registered Energy Advisor - Complete in-home Energuide Assessment via visit from Energy Advisor
- If you qualify for upgrades, a program representative will contact you to explain next steps and to schedule your installation.
Why ECAP Matters
Energy upgrades can be expensive, and a lot of people right now don’t have the budget to purchase a new heat pump, install new insulation, or keep up with rising heating and electricity costs. ECAP removes financial barriers and helps improve energy efficiency for households that likely need it the most.
It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions across BC, improves housing conditions and helps utilities manage energy demand more sustainably.
What Your First Step Should Be
If you think you might be eligible, the best first step is to check your income qualification and submit an ECAP application. You can do this through BC Hydro or FortisBC’s websites, depending on which utility serves your home. The application is reported to be short and straightforward.
Timelines After Application
4-6 weeks is how long it takes to process ECAP applications submitted online. (Per BC Hydro)
10-12 weeks is how long it could take to process an application sent by mail. Program interest may delay response times.
Application Identification (ID) numbers are important. BC Hydro recommends to check your email for your 5-digit Application ID number (i.e.XXXXXX)
Note from the ECAP Program on applications
Missing documents will delay your application processing time.
The fastest way to verify your household income is to use your and your family members’ SIN(s) and your first and last name(s) at the time of application, which allows the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to inform us whether your household is eligible for this offer. Otherwise, we will require other proof of income for all adults and a Landlord Consent Form (if applicable) is required to complete the application.
Final Thoughts
This is an excellent opportunity for income-qualified renters and homeowners to access high value energy efficiency upgrades at no personal expense. If you have further questions on this program or any other – you can always reach out to us at Thrive Energy. We love to hear what people are wondering, answer when we can, and find out the answer and come back with it when we can’t.
