We get this question a lot: “Should I consider trying to qualify for the Fortis BC new home rebates, and how does that work?”
Let’s run through it together so you know some of the most important factors.
What Is the Fortis BC New Home Program?
The Fortis BC New Home Program rewards builders and homeowners who go beyond minimum Energy Step Code requirements by building homes that are more energy-efficient, more comfortable, and future-ready.
And to be honest, sometimes this means doing nothing different at all, except applying for the rebates.
If your project meets BC Energy Step Code 4 or 5, you can qualify for some pretty generous rebates.
How Much Are the Rebates?
- Step 4 – $15,000 per dwelling unit (secondary suites do not count as additional dwelling units in this case)
- Step 5 – $20,000 per dwelling unit (secondary suites do not count as additional dwelling units in this case)
To be clear, per dwelling unit means that duplex builds can get up to $30,000 back for reaching Step 4, and following required mechanical pathways. Accordingly, 4 plexes, 6 plexes, etc would increase in funding available per unit as well.
These rebates are paid directly to the builder or homeowner-builder listed as the applicant once all of the required paperwork has been submitted by the Energy Advisor, and subsequently processed and approved by Fortis BC.
What Types of Homes Usually Reach Step 4 Easily?
Rarely do homes need extensive redesign to reach Step 4. Sometimes, they need nothing at all.
Smaller, simpler homes with efficient geometry tend to perform well naturally – for example:
- Carriage homes
- Homes with compact footprints and moderate glazing ratios
- Two-storey homes with efficient envelope design
In many cases, these homes only require a higher airtightness target (1.50 air changes per hour, rather than 2.50 air changes per hour as is required for Step 3), a heat pump as the primary heating/cooling, and electrically heated hot water to meet Step 4.
We check every plan for Step 4 compliance to let homeowners and builders know if they’re already there, or close.
Interestingly, our company has yet to see a carriage/laneway house that didn’t meet Step 4 as it was already planned. This is due to simple geometry and less window to wall ratio.
We have seen a couple of homes recently that would have qualified for extensive rebate funding miss out because the plans weren’t checked for Step 4 compliance. The Energy Advisor and/or Builder didn’t explore this route, and so a home that could have had $15,000 back for doing little to nothing differently, didn’t receive it.
The most recent example, which was brought to our attention after final occupancy, the home was eligible in every way except that they installed a natural gas hot water heater. An electric tank would have qualified this home for rebates and the homeowner would absolutely have made this switch, had they realized it was an option.
The Mechanical Pathway: Heat Pumps and DHW Requirements
To qualify under the Fortis BC New Home Rebates Program, the mechanical system pathway requirements are:
- An air-source heat pump (ducted or ductless) as the primary heating and cooling system – can do a dual-fuel system, or all electric.
- An electrically heated domestic hot water (DHW) system—such as a heat-pump water heater or electric storage tank.
Gas-only systems won’t meet the Step 4 or Step 5 rebate pathway
How the Application Process Works
Your Registered Energy Advisor (EA) handles much of the heavy lifting during design and submission.
Here are the typical steps:
- Pre-Construction Modeling
Your Energy Advisor models the home as you plan to build it, considering which Step Code target you’re aiming for and whether you’re eligible for the Fortis BC rebate. - Mid-Construction Testing
A blower-door test is completed before drywall to confirm air-tightness progress and identify any issues early (Step 4 air tightness requirement is 1.50 ACH, while Step 5 is 1.0 ACH) - As-Built Testing and Modeling
Once construction wraps up, your EA performs the final blower-door test, confirming eligible air tightness and mechanicals required for rebates, updates the model, and prepares the Compliance Checklist Reports. - Rebate Submission
Your EA uploads all Step Code compliance documentation and other required forms to Fortis BC (once all documents are received from you/the builder for the rebate application)
What Documents Are Required for the Rebate Submission?
To keep things smooth, you (or your builder) should have the following ready:
- Applicant Declaration Form – completed and signed by the builder or homeowner (form to be filled out can be shared by the EA)
- HVAC Commissioning Form – filled and returned to by the HVAC installer (form can be supplied by the EA)
- Room-by-Room Heat Load Calculation – CSA F280-12 compliant (can be done by the HVAC installer, or the EA, if properly certified – the EA who completed the Pre-Construction Modeling is in a good position to complete this accurately)
- Receipts for eligible washer/dryer and connected thermostat (if applicable)
Your Energy Advisor already has the rest of what FortisBC needs, including:
- Mid-construction and As-Built compliance checklist forms
- Heat Pump Calculator
- EnerGuide Homeowner Reports
They’ll submit these directly to FortisBC on your behalf as part of the rebate application.
How Long Does It Take to Receive the Rebate?
Once all documentation is uploaded and submitted, Fortis processes your application within 90 days. Once the payment is approved, a cheque is sent in the mail to the applicant listed on the application (builder or homeowner-builder).
Fortis BC emails confirmation to the EA once the application is approved and payment is issued, who will then forward this information on to relevant parties.
Why Work with a Registered Energy Advisor?
They’ll flag the most efficient assemblies, mechanical systems, and window specs to hit your target Step without overspending on upgrades. For builders submitting multiple homes per year, a strong relationship with an EA streamlines every rebate and compliance submission.
Some EA’s will charge for their time to complete the rebate submission and some won’t.
We don’t charge for this service but also don’t condemn those who do – it takes a lot of time and effort to track down the required documents (which often will come in piece-meal with many reminder emails) and then complete the rebate submission.
Key Takeaway
If you’re building a new home in BC, do not let your project go unchecked for its rebate-eligibility. It could mean an extra $15,000 or $20,000 in your pocket at little or no additional cost for the project.
