Participant Terms & Conditions:
1. Program Description
1.1 Program Summary: The Retrofit Assist program is a community-based program, operating within the Province of British Columbia, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency of residential buildings; Retrofit Assist is administered by the Community Energy Association (the “Administrator”) to support residents from participating communities in undertaking Home Energy Upgrades to improve their home comfort and energy performance (the “Program”).
1.2 Program Details: Details of the Program are subject to change without notice. All services and incentives to be provided under the Program are subject to availability of funds as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. For information on the Program, see www.retrofitassist.ca
2. Definitions
2.1 Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP): Equipment that provides both heating and cooling, which in this document references climate appropriate electric air source heat pumps. Air-to-air and air-to-water heat pumps that meet the eligibility requirements for CleanBC programs are included in this definition.
2.2 Home Energy Upgrades: Activities undertaken to improve home comfort and energy performance including, but not limited to, improving the building envelope (with enhanced air sealing, insulation, and windows and doors) and upgrading mechanical systems (i.e., space heating, cooling, water heating, and ventilation) with more efficient and lower carbon equipment.
2.3 Retrofit Assist Contractor: A contractor that has received written confirmation of acceptance into the Program from the Administrator.
2.4 Certified Energy Advisor (EA): An Energy Advisor, licensed by Natural Resources Canada to deliver the EnerGuide Rating Service for existing homes and who have completed additional BC rebate program-focused orientation training.
3. Program Eligibility
3.1. Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible for the Program, the following criteria must be met:
i) Applicant is over 19 years of age;
ii) Applicant owns a single-detached home, a mobile home on a permanent foundation, or a duplex, triplex, row home or townhome where each unit has its own natural gas and/or electricity meter, in a participating community (the “Property”). Renters may be considered if they meet the requirements of the Province of British Columbia’s Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program or Income Qualified Program.
iii) Applicant is interested in undertaking Home Energy Upgrades within the next 12 months.
iv) Submission of all application materials requested by the Administrator including but not limited to a completed application form and acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.
3.2. Acceptance into Program: Once an Applicant’s eligibility has been confirmed, the Administrator may, at their sole discretion, confirm acceptance into the Program. Once written notification of acceptance has been provided to the applicant, they will be considered a “Participant” in the Program.
4. Participant Responsibilities: To access Program benefits, the Participant agrees to the following:
4.1. Program Documentation: Participant will read and complete any applicable program documents available on www.retrofitassist.ca
4.2. Information Sessions: Participant will attend information sessions as required by the Program.
4.3. Energy Assessments: Participant will undertake a pre-renovation EnerGuide assessment with a Certified Energy Advisor prior to completing Home Energy Upgrades. Participant will also undertake a post-renovation energy assessment within 90 days of completed work, or the amount of time specified by applicable rebate programs, whichever is less. Participants meeting income qualifications for programs including the BC Hydro and FortisBC Energy Conservation Assistance Program and/or CleanBC Income Qualified Program are exempt from this requirement.
Where possible and practical, Participant will use an authorized Retrofit Assist Energy Advisor to complete their Energy Assessments. Participants agree to have their contact information shared with the Retrofit Assist Energy Advisor for the purpose of scheduling the visit.
4.3.1. Participant agrees to take reasonable steps to minimize residential heat losses such as air leakage (through cracks, holes), poorly insulated walls, ceilings, windows, and doors, before proceeding with the installation of an air-source heat pump (ASHP). Tackling these issues first will allow the use of a right-sized heat pump, typically reducing equipment costs and allowing the system to operate more efficiently.
4.4. Contractor Selection: Where possible and practical, Participant will undertake Home Energy Upgrades using an authorized Retrofit Assist Contractor. A list of authorized Retrofit Assist Contractors will be made available to the Participant.
4.5. Payment: Unless otherwise agreed upon, Participant is responsible for all payment arrangements with the Energy Advisor and contractor(s) and must be financially able to fund the Home Energy Upgrades or access financing options (CleanBC financing is only available for fuel switching projects using a finance registered contractor. Additional financing may be available through the Canada Greener Homes Initiative).
4.6. Permits & Inspections: Participant is responsible for obtaining any required building, electrical, and/or gas permits or ensuring that the contractor(s) they select have done so. The Participant shall further be responsible to ensure that the installation of products or measures has been confirmed to meet applicable requirements of the British Columbia Building Code and applicable bylaws and is acceptable to inspection authorities and/or Authorities having jurisdiction.
4.7. Rebates: Although the Administrator and the Energy Advisor can provide guidance and support, the Participant acknowledges that it is their sole responsibility to ensure the correct and eligible products or measures are installed along with submission of required application forms if the intention is to receive an eligible rebate.
4.8. Electrical Service: Participant is responsible for ensuring adequate electrical service to support an ASHP or other electrification measures undertaken. This information should be provided by the contractor, but it is the Participants’ responsibility to ask for it and ensure it is understood.
4.9. Radon: It is the sole responsibility of the homeowner to mitigate radon infiltration into their home, particularly where this is identified by the Contractor as a present risk or likely to become an increased risk due to the measures being completed through the program. This may include requesting information from the contractor about radon testing and mitigation, or installation of a radon vent pipe (where required by the Building and Safety Standards Branch).
4.10. Home Energy Monitoring: The Participant agrees to allow an automated home energy tool to be installed to support Program evaluation at no additional cost to the Participant and to share this information with the Administrator for a period of 1 year. The home energy tool will be installed on the electrical panel by a Retrofit Assist Contractor and data will be collected remotely.
4.11. Energy Information Release: The Participant agrees to provide the Administrator with any and all information relating to their involvement in the Program, including but not limited to: specific products/equipment installed in the Property under the Program and their associated costs; quotes received from contractors; and their EnerGuide reports and the data therein. The Participant also agrees to provide the Administrator access to the Participant’s utility account numbers, fossil fuel data, electricity data, and any equipment operational data collected (whether manually, digitally, or remotely) for a period of 12 months prior to and 12 months after any energy retrofits, in order to assist with evaluation of the Home Energy Upgrades and the Program.
4.12. Use of Personal Contact Information: The Participant agrees that the Administrator may use their provided personal contact information (including but not limited to name, address, email, phone number, utility account numbers, and rebate program application or reference numbers) for the purposes of communicating information about the program, to provide program services, and to request feedback about their experiences with the program. The Participant further agrees that the Administrator may share their contact information with Retrofit Assist Contractors, Energy Advisors, and utility and government rebate program administrators for the purposes of providing program-related services.
4.13. Program Evaluation: Participant agrees to complete surveys during the program to provide feedback on their experience.
4.14. Heritage Properties: In the event the Property has heritage designation, it is the sole responsibility of the Participant to ensure compliance with any applicable municipal bylaws and/or provincial and federal legislative and other requirements relating to heritage properties.
5. Rebates
5.1. Program staff and Retrofit Assist Contractors can assist the Participant in identifying and applying for municipal, provincial, and federal government and utility rebates, and with compiling the needed documentation.
5.2. Notwithstanding 5.1, it is the sole responsibility of the participant to secure any municipal, provincial, and federal government and utility rebates they wish to access.
5.3. While not a requirement of the Program, to access certain rebates, participants may need to remove their existing furnace and provide decommissioning details.
6. Standard Terms
6.1. Disclaimer & No Liability: It is understood that the Administrator does not make any warranty, expressed or implied, of any products or measures that have been completed, installed, or claimed for the Program. The Administrator has no liability concerning:
i) The quality, safety, and/or installation of the products or measures.
ii) The estimated energy savings of the products or measures.
iii) The workmanship of any third parties, including Retrofit Assist Contractors or Energy Advisors.
iv) Neither the Administrator nor any entity contracted directly by the Program shall be liable to the Participant or any other party for:
(1) A contractor’s failure to properly complete Home Energy Upgrades;
(2) The failure of Home Energy Upgrades to perform properly;
(3) Any damage to the Property caused by a Participant or contractor; and
(4) Any damages to property or injuries to persons caused by or arising from any activities associated with the Program.
6.2. No Representation or Warranty: The Participant agrees that the Administrator makes no representation or warranty concerning the:
i) Suitability of the Program for the Participant;
ii) Any energy cost savings associated with Home Energy Upgrades implemented. Emission and energy savings are estimates and will vary from project to project depending on individual circumstances;
iii) The performance of any installed Home Energy Upgrades; and
iv) The quality of workmanship of any contractor retained by the Participant to undertake the Home Energy Upgrades.
6.3. No Endorsement: The Administrator does not endorse, qualify, certify, or approve any particular manufacturer, product/measure, or contractor. The fact that the names of particular manufacturers, product/measure or contractors may appear on Program related documentation does not constitute an endorsement. Manufacturers, products/measures, or contractors not mentioned are not implied to be unsuitable in any way.
6.4. Indemnity: The Participant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Administrator, its agents, employees, and those for whom the Administrator is in law responsible from and against all losses, claims, demands, payments, damages, judgments, expense, actions, causes of action, and costs arising out of, or in consequence, of their participation in the Program.
6.5. Amendments: The Administrator reserved the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time and in their sole discretion. Any such amendments will become binding on the 30th day following delivery of notice to Participant of the amended Terms and Conditions. If Participant continues to participate in the Retrofit Assist Program after such date, they will be deemed to have accepted such revised Terms and Conditions and will be bound by them.
6.6. Breach of Terms and Conditions: Any breach of any requirements set out on the Program website, Program user guide, or these Terms and Conditions will void the Participant’s Application and/or participation in Program by the Participant.