TOGETHER with BC Hydro, FortisBC and Natural Resources Canada, the Province says it is supporting families with lower incomes to save money on their utility costs through home-energy improvements.
“We are taking action to help people lower their utility bills by expanding our home energy-efficiency programming for lower-income families,” said Adrian Dix, B.C.’s Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, on Monday. “Switching to high-efficiency heat pumps is one of the fastest, most effective ways to lower building-sector emissions and at the same time reduce costs for people.”
The Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP) through BC Hydro and FortisBC provides no-cost home-energy retrofits to homeowners and tenants with lower incomes, including upgrades, such as heat pumps, dual-fuel systems, insulation and air sealing, and other retrofits that help households save energy and reduce monthly utility costs.
The expansion of ECAP in B.C. represents a joint investment of $222 million. The federal Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program is contributing $93.8 million, alongside an $8-million contribution from the Province.
ECAP is designed to help those most in need by improving access to energy-efficiency upgrades for income-qualified households, while enhancing safety and comfort in their homes. ECAP is free for eligible income-qualified customers and provides home-energy assessments, energy coaching and energy-efficient upgrades.
Some income-qualified households may qualify for air-source heat pumps or dual-fuel systems. The program offers fully subsidized home-energy assessments, energy coaching and the installation of energy-efficient products.
BC Hydro is receiving $68.8 million from the Government of Canada, $8 million from the Province of B.C., and contributing $100.5 million, for a total of $177.3 million to expand ECAP.
This funding will support the expansion of BC Hydro energy-efficiency programs that provide no-cost retrofits to eligible households throughout British Columbia.
Supported measures include weatherization upgrades and heat pumps. The expanded programming will help more than 5,800 households with lower incomes to access significant energy-saving improvements, reducing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
As part of a total investment of $45.1 million, the Government of Canada is contributing $25 million, while FortisBC is providing $20.1 million to expand ECAP and support income-qualified customers.
This funding will support the expansion of energy-efficiency programming for eligible households in B.C., including weatherization upgrades, dual-fuel systems and other energy-saving measures.
The investment will help approximately 1,800 households improve energy performance, lower utility costs and reduce associated greenhouse gas emissions while supporting broader provincial and federal affordability and climate goals.
Tim Hodgson, federal Minister of Natural Resources, said: “In an increasingly uncertain world, we are investing in what we can control to bring down costs for Canadians through new energy-efficient home retrofits. As it is now delivered across British Columbia, the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program will help Canadian families save money, while strengthening our energy systems and making Canada an energy superpower.”
Charlotte Mitha, president and CEO, BC Hydro, said: “We are committed to working with British Columbians in every region we serve to save energy, lower costs and build a stronger, more sustainable future together. Through investments in energy efficiency and programs like Power Smart, we’re helping lower income customers reduce their energy use, improve comfort, and make the transition to cleaner technologies like heat pumps more affordable.”
Roger Dall’Antonia, president and CEO, FortisBC, said: “Home comfort and affordability is important for our customers. The Energy Conservation Assistance Program helps make this possible for income-qualified customers by lowering energy use and monthly bills through energy-saving upgrades, including dual-fuel systems. By working with government and BC Hydro, we’re proud to expand access to this program so more British Columbians can make energy-efficiency improvements to their homes.”
