Take advantage of provincial incentives
and make your home more energy-efficient
For years now, our energy evaluations have been helping homeowners find out how efficient their homes are and how they can improve them. This is a change that will not only lower a homeowner's monthly bills, but will also positively affect our environment. That's why we are very pleased to announce that new provincial incentives for energy-efficient upgrades are now available in British Columbia. As strong supporters of energy-efficiency, we are proud to be a participant in the LiveSmart BC initiative. Our certified Energy Advisors will perform energy evaluations for many homeowners across BC and help them qualify for valuable provincial incentives.

Before being eligible for these incentives, you must get a pre-retrofit energy evaluation. It's important to understand how your home works before you decide on any energy-efficient upgrades. Your house works as a system; when making decisions about energy and comfort improvements, consider your home's building envelope before undertaking heating system upgrades. It's also important to seek advice about ventilation and moisture control improvements. Our certified Energy Advisors can provide expert advice regarding these issues and help you decide how to proceed with your upgrades.
 
We can take you from your first energy-evaluation to receiving your provincial incentives in 4 simple steps.
 
Call AmeriSpec at 1-866-284-6010 to book your energy evaluation before starting your energy efficiency upgrades. Our energy evaluator will determine your home's energy efficiency and provide you with an EnerGuide rating label for your home. The LiveSmart BC incentive program will cover $150 of the cost of this evaluation.
Determine the energy-efficient upgrades you will make to your home and complete them within 18 months of your evaluation or by March 31, 2013, whichever comes first.
Call us back when you have completed any or all of the recommended upgrades for a final energy evaluation to review the made changes and measure your home's air tightness with a blower door test. You will then receive an updated EnerGuide rating label to reflect your home's new level of energy efficiency. The cost of this post-retrofit evaluation is about $150 plus taxes. Our AmeriSpec evaluator will take care of all the paperwork to ensure you receive your incentives.
Receive a rebate cheque from the Provincial Government. Enjoy reduced energy bills and feel good about doing your part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
 
Below are the incentive tables which list the upgrades and available rebates you can qualify for. To find out if you're eligible to take advantage of these incentives, please visit www.livesmartbc.ca.
 
ELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS
Not all requirements are detailed in this document. Refer to "Important Notes" on the back of this brochure and consult the "LiveSmart BC Notes for Contractors".		 Interior and Northern Rebate South Coastal Rebate
LIVESMART CHAMPION
Undertake at least five Champion Level upgrades, identified with this symbol . A minimum of three of these upgrades must be to the building envelope (mechanical ventilation, insulation and windows and doors). $500 $400
Achieve CHBA Built Green Renovation Standard Platinum. Visit www.builtgreencanada.ca for information. $500 $400
AIR SEALING AND MECHANICAL VENTILATION
Perform Air Sealing of the Home to Achieve Base Target + 25% $500 $400
Base Target + 15% $300 $250
Base Target + 5% $125 $100
Install or Replace Mechanical Ventialtion
Note: in order to qualify bathroom fans must be ducted to the exterior of the house		 Install a HVI certified ENERGY STAR Heat Recovery Ventilator $1000 $800
Install an ENERGY STAR Bathroom Fan where there was not previously a bathroom fans $100 $100
Replace an existing bathroom fan with an ENERGY STAR bathroom fan $50 $50
ATTIC INSULATION - 100% coverage required upon completion. Incentive pro-rated based on coverage before upgrade.
Increase Attic Insulation

Existing insulation R12 or less. Upgrade to achieve a minimum of R50

Existing insulation R13 − R25. Upgrade to achieve a minimum of R50

Existing insulation R26 − R35. Upgrade to achieve a minimum of R50

$750

$375

$125

$600

$300

$100
Increase Cathedral or Flat Roof Insulation

No existing insulation. Upgrade to achieve a minimum of R14

Existing insulation R1 − R12. Upgrade to achieve a minimum of R28

Existing insulation R13 − R35. Upgrade to achieve a minimum of R50

$750

$750

$250

$600

$600

$200
EXTERIOR WALL INSULATION
Increase Exterior Wall Insulation

Add at least R9 for 100% of building to achieve a minimum of R12

Add at least R9 for 80% of building to achieve a minimum of R12

Add at least R9 for 60% of building to achieve a minimum of R12

Add at least R3.8 for 100% of building to achieve a minimum of R12

Add at least R3.8 for 80% of building to achieve a minimum of R12

Add at least R3.8 for 60% of building to achieve a minimum of R12

$1500

$1200

$900

$1000

$800

$600

$1200

$1000

$700

$750

$600

$450
BASEMENT INSULATION
Basement Insulation

Add at least R23 for 100% of surface area

Add at least R23 for 80% of surface area

Add at least R23 for 60% of surface area

Add at least R10 for 100% of surface area

Add at least R10 for 80% of surface area

Add at least R10 for 60% of surface area

$1250

$1000

$750

$625

$500

$375

$1000

$800

$600

$500

$400

$300
OTHER INSULATION - 100% coverage required
Basement header Add at least R20 $125 $100
Crawl space wall (can qualify for only this rebate or Floor Above Crawl Space Rebate)

Add at least R23

Add at least R10

$1000

$500

$800

$400
Floor Above Crawl Space Add at least R24 $550 $450
Exposed Floor Add at least R20 (150 sq ft minimum) $225 $175
WINDOWS, DOORS AND SKYLIGHTS - (Heated Space Only)
ENERGY STAR Windows, Doors and Skylights Replacement Rated one Energy Star zone better
(must upgrade a minimum of 75% of windows to achieve Champion level)		 $70 $60
Rated for your ENERGY STAR zone $35 $30
LiveSmart qualified storm windows. Only available for formally recognized heritage homes. For qualification requirements and a list of eligible, formally-recognized heritage homes, speak to your energy advisor. $25 $20
PRIMARY SPACE HEATING - Maximum of one incentive for Primary Space Heating 
Please note: Heating systems may be advertised with an AFUE “up to” a certain percentage. Please ensure that the installed efficiency of your heating system meets the requirements below.
Certified Installation

Furnace, Heat Pump or Boiler installed by a TECA Quality First or HRAI Skilltech Certified Professional. Visit www.teca.ca/Q1st_contractors.php or www.hrai.ca/certification_canada.php

$100

$100
Gas Furnace or Boiler Replacement

ENERGY STAR gas furnacee 95% AFUE or better with a DC variable speed motor

ENERGY STAR condensing gas boiler 90% AFUE or better

Zero Clearance Gas Furnace 90% AFUE with a DC variable speed motor

$600

$600

$300

$500

$500

$250

Air Source Heat Pump

Note: All components of each ENERGY STAR qualified Air Source Heat Pump system must have a qualifying AHRI number. This includes new or existing furnaces, indoor and outdoor air handlers, and heat pumps.

If you are planning on installing an Air Source Heat Pump insist that your contractor consult the "LiveSmart BC Notes for Contractors" before purchasing or installing any equipment.

ENERGY STAR central system verified with an AHRI number, with either a new DC variable speed air handler or a new ENERGY STAR furnace with DC variable speed motor

Ductless mini-split: one head in main occupied area plus one additional head on a different floor, ENERGY STAR or non-ENERGY STAR inverter-based system

ENERGY STAR central system added to an existing furnace or added to an existing indoor air handling unit

Ductless mini-split: Single head in main occupied area. ENERGY STAR or non-ENERGY STAR inverter-based

ENERGY STAR single package system meeting split system requirements

$1500






$1000

$1500






$1000
Ground or Water Source Heat Pump

CAN/CSA C448 compliant, new ground source heat pump installation that is certified by the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition

CAN/CSA C448 compliant, ground source heat pump replacement that is certified by the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition

$2500

$1000

$2500

$1000

CAN/CSA C448 compliant, new shared ground source heat pump serving three or more homes that is certified by the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition

One incentive per shared loop

One for each distribution system in the shared loop

$1500

$1000

$1500

$1000
OTHER SPACE HEATING
Wood Stove or Gas Fireplace
Replacement to Pellet Stove		 Replace existing supplementary heating system with a pellet burning appliance that meets or exceeds the Washington State particulate emission standards for solid fuel burning domestic appliance. For a list of qualifying appliances, speak to your provider. $500 $500
Electronic Thermostat Replace a minimum of five thermostats for electric baseboards with electronic thermostats $50 $50
WATER HEATING - Maximum of one incentive for Gas or Electric Water Heater6
Gas Water Heater Replacement

ENERGY STAR instantaneous condensing type with an Energy Factor of 0.90

ENERGY STAR with an Energy Factor of 0.82

Condensing gas storage type that has a Thermal Efficiency of 94%

Condensing gas storage type that has a Thermal Efficiency of 90%

$300

$200

$300

$200

$300

$200

$300

$200
Electric Heat Pump Water Heater Installation Electric heat pump water heater with an Energy Factor of 2.0 or greater. Must be installed in an unconditioned space or have ducting of the exhaust air to the outdoors . $400 $400
Solar Water Heater Installation CAN/CSA 379 compliant or pending. Installed by company with one installer trained to CSAF383.08. See Important Notes for Contractors for lists of eligible systems and contractors. $500 $500
Drain Water Heat Recovery Installation With efficiency greater than 42% $150 $150
DISTRIBUTED POWER GENERATION - A maximum of $1300 for any combination of new equipment
Through Net Metering, Generate Power Via: Photovoltaic  Wind  Micro-hydro Fuel Cell  
  per 1 kw per 0.6 kw per 0.4 kw per 0.25 kw $260 $260
 
Important Notes on Eligible Improvements
 
The LiveSmart BC incentives are available to homeowners in B.C who have not previously taken advantage of LiveSmart BC or ecoENERGY incentives. Please read below for more details about eligibility and upgrades to your home.
FortisBC Gas or Electric Contribution
A portion of these incentives may be provided by FortisBC. The incentive can only be claimed once, either from LiveSmart BC or through FortisBC. Homeowners who have received an incentive directly from FortisBC will have their LiveSmart BC incentive amount reduced by the amount received from FortisBC.

Interior and Northern/South Coastal
The Interior and Northern region covers most of British Columbia. South Coastal is comprised of the following: District of Squamish Municipality and Regional Districts: Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Sunshine Coast, Powell River, Comox Valley, Strathcona, Alberni-Clayoquot, Nanaimo, Cowichan Valley and Capital Regional District.

Attic Insulation
When more than one attic type is present, all applicable incentives are pro-rated based on the total area that is insulated. 100% coverage upon completion must still be achieved in either area to receive the qualifying pro-rated rebate.

Basement/Other Insulation
When both a basement and crawl space are present, all applicable grants are pro-rated based on the total wall area that is insulated. 		Windows, Doors and Skylights
Grants for windows, doors and skylights are based on the number of rough openings (RO) in which windows or skylights were replaced between the pre and post-retrofit evaluations. Each RO is counted as one window, door or skylight. A bay window, which may be made up of several windows, is regarded as one RO.

Equipment Replacement
To be eligible for incentives, the new equipment must have a higher efficiency than the original equipment.

Space Heating
If more than one "Primary Space Heating" measure is installed, the participant will be awarded one incentive for the highest LiveSmart BC Program amount for which they are eligible. No LiveSmart BC Program incentive will be provided for a second "Primary Space Heating" measure. Participants will continue to qualify, if eligible for pellet stove replacement.

Water Heating
In addition to Water Heater incentives, participants are eligible for the Drain Water Heat Recovery and Solar Water Heater incentives.
 
Available incentives are constantly changing, so be sure to have the most up-to-date and accurate information.
To discover which incentives you are currently eligible for, visit www.livesmartbc.ca/rebates.
For complete details on the LiveSmart BC Efficiency Incentive Program criteria, talk to your energy advisor. These incentives are subject to revision, and will be paid in accordance with the terms and conditions in place at the time of the homeowner's second energy assessment. For current terms and conditions visit www.livesmartbc.ca/rebates.

Payment of LiveSmart BC incentives is subject to the availability of funds.

The Province of B.C. does not endorse the services of any contractor nor any specific products and accepts no liability in the selection of materials, products, and contractors or performance or workmanship.
 
 
© Copyright AmeriSpec Canada Inc. All rights reserved.
Ministry of Energy and Mines LiveSmart BC bcHydro PowerSmart Fortis BC