LIVESMART BC HOME EFFICIENCY PROGRAM

April 19, 2010

The Province will extend provincial incentives for the popular LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program for participants entering the program as of April 1, 2010, announced Blair Lekstrom, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources today.

“The LiveSmart BC home energy efficiency program is an important part of our long-term, clean-energy vision and we are extending our provincial incentives to help meet our greenhouse gas emission targets and energy self-sufficiency goals,” said Lekstrom. “Tens of thousands of B.C. families are already benefiting from the provincial program, conserving energy use, lowering energy costs and at the same time stimulating the economy.”

The BC 2010 budget announced a further investment of $35 million for the LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program, which provides financial support to households for energy assessments and energy efficiency building retrofits. These incentives are being provided in partnership with provincial utility providers, Terasen Gas, BC Hydro, and FortisBC.

This financial commitment has helped to ensure that the program continues. The incentives being offered are almost the same as the original 2008 LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program incentives.

The LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program supports homeowners to undertake an energy efficiency assessment by a certified energy advisor, which provides information on home energy usage and the most effective home upgrades to save energy, increase comfort, and reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

The program provides incentives for qualifying heat pumps, high efficiency furnaces and water heaters, insulation, draft proofing, windows and doors, and renewable energy. Program participants have saved an average of 31 per cent annually on energy and an average of over 2.5 tonnes per year of greenhouse gas reductions by making their homes more energy efficient.

“As I have often made reference to in my Home Discovery radio show, British Columbians need support to make energy efficiency upgrades to their homes, for things such as insulation, draft-proofing, windows, ventilation, and high-efficiency furnaces,” said Shell Busey. “The HouseSmart Guy is very happy to see $35 million being committed to the LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program.”

The Province remains committed to supporting energy efficiency and conservation in British Columbia, and to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent and acquiring 50 per cent of BC Hydro’s incremental resource needs through conservation by 2020. The program builds sustainable communities by rewarding smart choices to reduce energy consumption and by promoting investment in green business opportunities to help create new jobs in a low-carbon economy.

Program information and incentives are posted at www.livesmartbc.ca/rebates.

Below are some Frequently Asked Questions



Q) I have already had an initial (pre-retrofit) assessment. Am I eligible for incentives through this new program?

A) No. Only participants starting the program on or after April 1, 2010 are eligible for the extended incentives.

Q) I have already received incentives through the LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive/ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program. Am I eligible for incentives through this new program?

A) No. Only participants starting the program on or after April 1, 2010 are eligible for the extended incentives.
When does the incentive program end? To be eligible for upgrades undertaken this year you must have a post retrofit assessment by March 31, 2011. Over the next year we will work with Natural Resources Canada and our utility partners to look at options for the program for the following two years.

Q) Can I do the work myself and receive a grant?

A)Yes, but you must have an energy assessment done by a Certified Energy Advisor both before and after you make the improvements. Homeowners are responsible for ensuring that they obtain all necessary permits and meet all municipal and provincial requirements.

Q) I live in an apartment/condo complex. Am I eligible for incentives?

A) Multi-unit residential buildings are not eligible for the LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program.

Q) How much does an energy assessment cost? Is this cost reimbursed?

A) The total cost for an initial (pre-retrofit) energy assessment is $300.00. The LiveSmart BC Incentive Program covers $150.00 of the cost directly to the Certified Energy Advisor, so the cost to the homeowner is only $150.00. The follow-up (post-retrofit) assessment also costs about $150.00. This cost is covered by the homeowner.

Current participants of the first LiveSmart BC incentive program

Q) How does this new program affect participants of the first LiveSmart incentive program?

A) There is no change for homeowners currently participating in the first LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive program. All homeowners who entered the LiveSmart program by having their initial (pre-retrofit) home energy assessment prior to end of business on August 15, 2009, and who complete their post-retrofit home energy assessment 18 months after they had their initial (pre-retrofit) home energy assessment, will be eligible for the rebates and incentives in place at the time of their pre-retrofit assessment.

Q) I have already had an initial (pre-retrofit) assessment. Am I eligible for incentives through this new program?

A) No. Only participants starting the program on or after April 1, 2010 are eligible for the extended incentives.

Q) I have already received incentives through the LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive/ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program. Am I eligible for incentives through this new program?

A) No. Only participants starting the program on or after April 1, 2010 are eligible for the extended incentives.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.LIVESMARTBC.CA OR CALL 1-866-430-8765