The BC Hydro and FortisBC Indigenous Communities Conservation Program (ICCP) supports Indigenous communities looking to improve the energy efficiency and comfort in their community’s homes.

There are two program streams available to assist completing home upgrades:

• Stream 1 provides free energy-saving products (including LED light bulbs, high-efficiency showerheads and faucet aerators, and various draft-proofing measures), salary support and training for local community members in product installation and how to evaluate homes for other energy conservation opportunities that could be supported by Stream 2 of the program and/or other funding.
• Stream 2 provides communities with rebates for home efficiency upgrades including: insulation, ventilation, windows, doors, heat pumps, water heaters, natural gas furnaces and new appliances. Training for local contractors and building professionals in Best Practices for Air Sealing and Insulation Retrofits is also included with Stream 2.

The program is flexible; communities can participate in either one or both program streams depending on the renovations they will be completing.

For program details and how to apply, visit the Indigenous Community Conservation Program Page for more information on eligibility criteria, how to apply, and applicable deadlines.  If you have questions about navigating the program, please reach out to the contacts listed below.

• • Consider using a Program Registered Contractor
  • Choosing the right contractor is the first step towards starting an energy retrofit. A Program Registered Contractor can help achieve your energy efficiency goals by ensuring your upgrades meet CleanBC program partners’ rebate requirements.
  • Heat Pump, Furnace and Insulation Program Registered Contractors have completed additional training so that they can provide the best service possible. Working with a Program Registered Contractor means you are working with someone that is trained in industry best practices and is knowledgeable about the rebates available for your upgrades.
  • You are not required to work with a Program Registered Contractor to participate in the Indigenous Communities Conservation Program. When hiring an installer for your energy efficiency upgrades and renovations, it’s a good practice to look for an installer’s certifications and credentials

• • In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, program training has been adapted to a remote delivery format to reduce the potential for spread of the virus and to protect communities and their most vulnerable members. At such time as COVID-19 spread has been suppressed or beaten, in-person training will once again be offered as an option.
  • Stream 1 of the ICCP includes two training modules:
  • A one-hour project management module (for the community’s Project Lead) that covers program elements and documents, and tips and suggestions for successful implementation of the program and managing the work in the community.
    • This module is delivered remotely by video-conference or phone with support of illustrative materials.
  • A half-day home energy technician module for local community members that covers installation of the energy-saving products, and how to evaluate homes for other energy-saving opportunities that could be supported by ICCP Stream 2 rebates.
    • This module is delivered remotely by video-conference with support of instructional video resources, demonstrations, and interactive discussion.
  • Stream 2 of the ICCP provides training for Indigenous community housing staff and local contractors in Best Practices in Air Sealing and Insulation Retrofits.
    • It is intended for communities undertaking building envelope / weatherization renovations with support from Stream 2 rebates.
    • The 4-5 hour course consists of an on-line live webinar including demonstrations and instructional video resources, and interactive discussion with participants. The sessions can be recorded and made available to participants along with the workshop materials, if desired.
    • The training consultant will also offer follow-up consultation and support with communities as needed.
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  • Note: the ICCP Stream 2 training requirement may be waived for local contractors that are enrolled in the Program Registered Contractor initiative through the CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Programs.

• • BC Hydro: indigenousconservation@bchydro.com; call 1-866-266-6466 or email bchydro.com/iccp
  • FortisBC: conservationassistance@fortisbc.com or call 1-866-844-8833 and select option 4

Access rebates through either the Energy Step Code pathway or the Heat pump pathway and access an All-Electric Bonus if there is no fossil fuel connection for the new home.

• Energy Step Code pathway: build a new home that meets a minimum BC Energy Step code level and uses electric space and water heating systems
• Heat pump pathway: build a new home that uses an electric heat pump for space heating or water heating, regardless of Energy Step Code level.

For program details and how to apply, visit the CleanBC Better Homes New Construction Program for more information on eligibility criteria, how to apply, and applicable deadlines.  If you have questions about navigating the program, please reach out to the contacts listed below.

• • The program is open to builders, developers and owner builders who are building a new home in B.C.
  • Homes must be constructed in compliance with Part 9 of the BC Building Code and, where applicable, the municipally-adopted minimum BC Energy Step Code requirement.
  • The new home must be located in BC Hydro or New Westminster Electrical Utility service territory.

• • General Inquiries CleanBC Better Homes: betterhomesbc@gov.bc.ca
  • General Inquiries BC Hydro: residentialnewconstruction@bchydro.com

The BC Hydro & FortisBC Energy Conservation Assistance Program is available for income-qualified households and provides free energy-saving products, product installations and customized advice from a program Energy Coach to help you save on energy costs and improve the comfort of your home year-round.

Homes will receive free energy-saving LEDs bulbs, high efficiency showerheads and faucet aerators, weather-stripping, clothes rack or clothes line, and more. Some homes may also qualify for an ENERGY STAR® refrigerator, insulation in walls, attic, and/or crawlspace, and/or a high-efficiency gas furnace.

In response to COVID-19, BC Hydro and FortisBC have postponed all Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP) in-home visits indefinitely. The program will continue accepting applications from customers; however, processing times may be delayed. Our top priority is our customers, employees, contractors, and members of the public’s safety.

If you have an upcoming home visit scheduled with one of the program contractors, It’s On Electric or Ecofitt, you will be contacted by them shortly by phone or email to provide you with information about future home visit appointments.

For questions about your initial home visit, please contact It’s On Electric directly at 1-855-560-3227. If you’ve qualified for insulation upgrades and/or a high-efficiency furnace replacement and have questions related to these product installations, contact Ecofitt at 1-833-455-9029.

For all other inquiries, please reach out to ecap_esk@bchydro.com or conservationassistance@fortisbc.com. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

For program details and how to apply, visit the Energy Conservation Assistance Program Page for more information on eligibility criteria, how to apply, and applicable deadlines.  If you have questions about navigating the program, please reach out to the contacts listed below.

• • Please note that the home visits provided as part of ECAP do not count as an EnerGuide home evaluation and cannot be used to access other rebate programs.

• • General Inquiries: BC Hydro and FortisBC gas customers
  • General Inquiries: FortisBC electric or municipal electric customers conservationassistance@fortisbc.com or 1-866-844-8833 and select option 4.
  • Applications: It’s On Electric Company (Approved ECAP contractor) ecap@itsonelectric.com or 1-855-560-3227