Home Renovation FAQs by Category

To access rebates from the CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program you are required to provide supporting documentation (invoices from the contractor) with your rebate application. Please read the Program Requirements and Additional Terms and Conditions for a complete list of invoice and supplementary documentation requirements.

Invoices must meet these requirements:

• All service invoices/receipts must indicate details of the work performed and the address where the work was performed.
• The contractor’s company name, contact information (phone and/or email), address and GST number must be on the invoices.
• All product purchase invoices/receipts must have the product’s brand, model number, and purchase date.
• Gas installation requires a natural gas permit number and Technical Safety BC  gas contractor licence number.
• Window invoices must indicate manufacturer model code/number, NRCan reference number or a certified products directory (CPD) number, and must be certified through one of the following certification bodies:
  • Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
  • Intertek Canada (Intertek)
  • Labtest Certification (LC)
  • QAI Laboratories (QAI)
  • National Fenestration Ratings Council (NFRC)
• All copies of invoices and documentation must be clear and legible.

For detailed documentation requirements by energy upgrade see below for sample invoices that show what the contractor/homeowner should include.

• Insulation
• Windows and doors
• Heat Pumps
  • Upgrade from electric space heating
  • Convert from fossil fuel
  • Install a dual fuel ducted heat pump
  • Convert from wood heating
• Heat pump water heater
• Electrical Service Upgrade – Contractor Invoice and Utility Invoice
• Natural gas furnace or boiler
• Natural gas fireplace
• Natural gas water heater

Some rebates require additional supporting documentation. Be sure to go over the program requirements for a complete list of invoice and supplementary documentation requirements.

Did you see a building science or energy efficiency term you did not understand? Check out our glossary.

If you are having issues with your online rebate application form, all application assistance is provided by the CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program directly.  Energy coaches provide technical assistance related to improving the efficiency of your home and do not have access to the file submission data, system performance, or other technical aspects of the online application.

For known issues and fixes, please find suggestions below. If these fixes do not work, contact technical assistance at the rebate program for more in-depth aid in solving the issue.

Known issues and suggested work-arounds:

• PDF file will not upload – Upload a .jpeg file of the supporting document instead
• No confirmation upon application submission – call Home Renovation Rebate and CleanBC Program directly
• Very long loading times once application is submitted – call Home Renovation Rebate and CleanBC Program directly

To contact the CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program for technical assistance, call:

• BC Hydro Program Administration: 1-877-338-3347 (option 3)
• FortisBC Program Administration: 1-855-909-2331 or submit a contact form

Applications can be made in bulk but the process is slightly different than for a single application. Bulk applications are a good option for projects that are being completed on multiple homes, such as in townhouse or duplex complexes.

Upgrade Eligibility

• CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Programs Terms and Conditions apply, ensure you confirm home and upgrade eligibility
• Individual rebates have a 6 month application deadline from the date of the invoice, refer to the individual rebates for more information on what timelines apply

Bulk Application Information

• One invoice for the entire project is sufficient
  • Invoice must detail the home unit numbers where the upgrades were completed
  • Refer to the sample invoices for required information
• Invoices must be paid in full
  • Note: if work is going to take longer than 6 months, multiple applications can be submitted with updated invoicing so that deadlines are met
• There is no maximum number of units a bulk application can accommodate
• In some cases, the Home Renovation Rebate Program Utility Account Holder Consent Form may be required

Submitting a Bulk Application

• The CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program process bulk applications on a case-by-case basis
• If the homes are heated by electricity, contact  homerebates@bchydro.com to initiate the Bulk Application process
• If the homes are heated by natural gas, contact homereno@fortisbc.com to initiate the Bulk Application process

Processing of applications may take up to 90 days from the date that all required application documents are received. When you submit an online application form you will be provided with a tracking number and confirmation that your application has been received. The status of CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program rebate applications can be tracked using the online application tracker.

For questions about the status of your application, contact the program administration directly:

• BC Hydro Program Administration: 1-877-338-3347
• FortisBC Program Administration: 1-855-909-2329 or fill out the contact form

Program partners are not responsible for lost, delayed, damaged, ineligible, or incomplete applications.

Rebate payments can be issued either in form of a cheque, credit on bill, or e-transfer to the Participant.

In order to be eligible for any of the rebates offered by the CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program the upgrades must be installed on or after September 28, 2018.

Individual Upgrades

The program application and all supporting documentation for each upgrade must be submitted within 6 months of the invoice date of the upgrade.

Two Upgrade Bonus

To be eligible for the $300 Two Upgrade Bonus, the first upgrade must be installed on or after September 28, 2018 and the second bonus-eligible upgrades must be installed within 18 months of the installation of the first bonus-eligible upgrade. The Two Upgrade Bonus application must be submitted within 6 months of the invoice date of the second bonus-eligible upgrade.

Home Energy Improvement Bonus

To be eligible for the Home Energy Improvement Bonus, your pre-upgrade evaluation must take place on or after September 28, 2018. You must install three or more bonus-eligible upgrades, and complete a post-upgrade EnerGuide home evaluation within 18 months of your pre-upgrade EnerGuide home evaluation. The Home Energy Improvement Bonus application must be submitted within 6 months of the post-upgrade evaluation.