The BC Hydro and FortisBC Indigenous Communities Conservation Program (ICCP) provides funding and support for energy efficiency upgrades in Indigenous communities. The program is designed for Indigenous communities that are coordinating home energy upgrades in multiple homes for their community members.

The ICCP includes two program offers to help improve the energy efficiency of homes in Indigenous communities. You can take part in one or both program offers depending on what kind of energy upgrades you’re looking to complete.

The Home Energy Check-up includes:

• Free energy-saving products (including LED light bulbs, water-saving fixtures for the kitchen and bathroom, and various draft-proofing measures)
• Training for community members and/or staff in how to install the products and complete a basic home condition assessment
• Salary support to hire community members to complete the work

Home Energy Upgrade Rebates offer funding support for Indigenous communities that are looking to make larger energy efficiency upgrades to homes in their community. Rebates are available for the following eligible upgrades:

• Air sealing, insulation, windows and doors
• Ventilation*
• Health and safety upgrades*
• Primary space heating
• Water heating
• Replacement of old, inefficient refrigerators and freezers

* A home must receive rebate-eligible building envelope upgrades in at least one category (e.g., insulation, windows, doors) to qualify for the health and safety or ventilation rebates.

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.

• Choosing the right contractor is an important step in a successful energy retrofit. A well-trained contractor is your best bet to achieve your energy efficiency goals.
• To be eligible for home energy upgrade rebates through the Indigenous Communities Conservation Program (ICCP), all upgrades must be installed by a licensed contractor with a GST number and a valid B.C. business license in the trade relevant to the upgrade.
• While no other contractor requirements are in place for ICCP at this time, we recommend that participating Indigenous communities work with a contractor that’s a member of the Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN). BC Hydro, FortisBC and CleanBC Better Homes work together to maintain a list of registered HPCN contractors across the province. If your community is in a region with limited access to HPCN members, complete this form to get notified when members become available near you.
• If you’re working with a trusted contractor that isn’t part of the HPCN, and they would like to become a member, they can find out more information on the HPCN website.

The Home Energy Check-up offer 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 home energy technician module (2 days) for local community members provides hands-on learning in completing a basic home condition assessment while installing the energy-saving products included with the program.

• • BC Hydro: indigenousconservation@bchydro.com
  • FortisBC: conservationassistance@fortisbc.com or call 1-866-884-8833 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