The ecoENERGY and LiveSmart BC Programs

What is the LiveSmart BC Efficiency Incentive Program?

The second "version" of the LiveSmart BC Efficiency Incentive Program is currently available to homeowners in the Province of B.C. who have an initial (pre-retrofit) energy assessment (also referred to as evaluation) performed on or after April 1, 2010 and complete a follow-up, post-retrofit energy assessment by March 31, 2011.  To see available grant monies, click here.

If you are considering energy efficient renovations for your home, Island Green Auditech & Inspections is also your Certified Energy Advisor fully trained and qualified through Natural Resources Canada to assist you with the home assessments required to access the Provincial LiveSmart BC grant.  The normal total cost of the LiveSmart BC home pre-retrofit assessment is $300 plus tax.  The Province currently offers a subsidy of $150; therefore most homeowners should normally expect to pay $150 plus tax for the pre-retrofit assessment.  Please note that additional distance charges apply to some service areas.  There is an addtional fee for the post-retrofit assessment.

What is the ecoENERGY Retrofit Initiative?

The ecoENERGY Retrofit Initiative is a Federal program unveiled January 21, 2007, designed to provide financial incentives to help Canadians retrofit their existing homes, to improve their energy efficiency and contribute to a cleaner environment. By implementing the energy retrofit recommendations, a typical homeowner could save 30% or more on their annual heating bill.  The ecoEnergy program was cancelled in early 2010.  Homeowners already registered in the program have until March 31st, 2011 to complete changes AND have the second (E) evaluation.

How do I qualify?

First, you must own a house or building considered a low-rise dwelling under Part 9 of the National Building Code of Canada. This includes row housing (town houses), duplexes and triplexes. Some small apartment buildings of three storeys or less and mobile homes may also qualify. Second, you will need to schedule a home energy evaluation to qualify for the financial incentive.

What can I do now?

You can book your Island Green home energy evaluation now with one of our certified energy advisors to pre-qualify for the program. Book an appointment by clicking here.

Cost

To qualify for grants, homes must have a "pre" and a "post" evaluation. The base cost per evaluation is $150+tax for an average-sized home. Travel / complex / oversize may, but do not usually, apply.

How much can I get back?

Grant sizes depend on the individual upgrades completed. Your home energy evaluation will include recommended upgrades based on the anticipated impact each upgrade will have on the home's energy efficiency, and the corresponding grant amount expected as a result. For example, replacing an old gas furnace with a highly energy efficient ENERGY STAR(TM) qualified model usually saves about 35% on heating bills, so this type of upgrade would receive a grant of several hundred dollars or more. Installing insulation in an unfinished basement is also a very effective upgrade and would be remunerated accordingly. On the other hand, replacing windows is a costly upgrade that usually has limited effect on energy savings, so the grant per window would be modest. It is expected that the average grant for a single property will be about $1,400, up to a maximum of $ 5,000.