Frequently Asked Questions

There are a variety of rebates available through the Province of BC and utilities. Please email us at info@retrofitassist.ca to receive our Retrofit Assist Rebate Guide for your community. 

We are excited to now offer financing for your retrofit project(s) through a collaboration with Switch Retrofit Solutions.

See below for links to other active grant and loan programs. Of course, Retrofit Assist participants can always access the experienced and knowledgeable guidance of our team who will show you which grants match your retrofit goals.

• Federal: Canada Greener Homes Loan Initiative (note: the grant is no longer available, but the same upgrades are eligible for the loan) 
• Provincial: CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Program and the CleanBC Energy Savings Program 
• Utility: FortisBC rebates 
• Utility: BC Hydro rebates 

The CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Program and Energy Savings Program administer rebates as individual upgrades are completed. You must submit invoices within 6 months of each upgrade being completed. The rebates are typically processed within 90 business days.  

Because most rebates and grants are only issued once work is complete, homeowners must have a way to pay for work at the outset. The Retrofit Assist financing, however, is available at the outset of your retrofit which alleviates those up front costs. See the Financing FAQs for more information.

The CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program and the CleanBC Energy Savings Program both stipulate that eligible homes must be a year-round primary residence. The home can be occupied by the homeowner or a tenant. Read CleanBC home eligibility requirements.

The Canada Greener Homes Loan Initiative requires that the home is a year-round primary residence that is occupied by the homeowner (i.e., the program is not open to rental homes). Read Canada Greener Homes eligibility requirements.

There are no rebates available through the Retrofit Assist program. However, participating communities may offer their own set of rebates in addition to what’s offered through federal and provincial rebate programs. Through Retrofit Assist, we can help you navigate these rebate programs, including highlighting what’s available, what upgrades are eligible, and what requirements must be met in order to qualify. 

See Community Specific FAQs and Rebate FAQs for more information about existing rebate programs. 

To access financing through the Canada Greener Homes Program, the homeowner must demonstrate the property is their primary residence by: 

• proving ownership by providing a property tax bill number during their application (this number can be found on municipal property tax documents).  

• proving the property is their primary residence with a valid piece of government-issued ID with the matching address, such as a driver’s license.  

To access rebates through the two CleanBC Better Homes rebate programs: 

• The home must be a year-round primary residence that is at least 12 months old.  

The homeowner or tenant must have a residential utility account with FortisBC, BC Hydro or a municipal utility.

If you are a part of the ECAP or Home Energy Savings Program (HESP), Retrofit Assist does not require you to complete an EnerGuide evaluation. However, it is still beneficial, as the ECAP energy evaluation is different than an EnerGuide evaluation.

During the ECAP energy evaluation, the advisor will install free measures (i.e., lighting, water efficient aerators and shower heads) during their visit and assess for other free upgrades (insulation, heating systems, etc.).  This evaluation focuses more on how the homeowner/resident uses energy in their home and how they can reduce their usage day to day.  

The EnerGuide evaluation takes an in-depth look at your home, providing you with a full report on your home’s energy efficiency. The report includes a list of recommended upgrades and includes how your home’s consumption and air leakage will change with said retrofits.  

Read more about the ECAP program.

Your loan application must include all retrofits that you plan to complete – you can’t ask for a larger loan later so ensure all possible retrofits are included in your application. If you choose not to complete certain work, the loan will be adjusted, and you will still be eligible as long as the amount is still at least $5000. 

Obtain 1-3 quotes for each retrofit in your plan and ensure the quote has the following information: 

• Company Name, address and contact information 
• Quote date 
• Participant name and address (must match info on Canada Greener Homes application) 
• Retrofit(s) being undertaken (must be on your Renovation Upgrade Report) 
• Program eligibility information (eg. ENERGY STAR technical specifications for windows/doors and AHRI number and capacity for heating system so that you can check they are on the eligible product lists) 

Based on your application and quotes, the program will calculate the maximum loan amount you are approved for. Note that the maximum loan amounts depend on the type of upgrade you are completing. Canada Greener Homes has not shared publicly how they determine the loan amount. 

Once you apply for the Canada Greener Homes loan program, you have one year to complete your retrofit projects and post-retrofit EnerGuide assessment. If you cannot complete your projects in time due to circumstances outside of your control, you can request an extension but there is no guarantee that it will be granted. 

We understand that one year is often not long enough to complete your home energy retrofit(s). If you’re having trouble completing your project on time, let the Retrofit Assist team know. We’re here to help and can support you in reaching out to Canada Greener Homes. 

If it is specifically recommended in your Renovation Upgrade Report and a required part of the upgrade, then it should be, yes. This quote would need to be included in your loan application to be applicable. 

In some cases, yes. In others, no. Contractor requirements vary across programs.

CleanBC Better Homes

• All projects must be completed by a licensed contractor with a BC business license.  
• Insulation and heat pumps must be installed by a contractor who is part of the Home Performance Contractor Network.

Canada Greener Homes Loan Initiative

• Mechanical systems must be installed by a licensed and trained professional (e.g., heat pumps).  
• Other projects can be completed by you (e.g., insulation, windows, and doors)  

It’s also important to note that if you are completing projects on your own, each program has requirements regarding eligible equipment (i.e., specific windows, doors, and mechanical systems that you can install). 

Participants are eligible to access rebates for equipment they have purchased. However, some contractors will not install products that they have not ordered themselves as they cannot warranty it and sometimes do not support the brands of products ordered. It is best to check with your contractor first before making any purchases.   

Don’t forget – the equipment must meet the program requirements and be on the Qualified Product List.   

• Canada Greener Homes Loan Initiative: eligible heat pump list 
• CleanBC Better Homes rebate programs: eligible heat pump list 

Ensure to keep ALL invoices to access financing and rebates. 

Through the CleanBC program: Foundations accepted for mobile homes are full concrete, wood post or piling and concrete/brick post or piling. They must have their own utility connection and account and be connected to sewer and water (including well and septic systems).  

Through the Canada Greener Homes program: A permanent foundation is an assembly that transfers loads from the building to the supporting soil or rock and renders the building immovable. A permanent foundation also includes blocks. They cannot be on a trailer or have wheels.