LiveSmart BC Grants

Update:  The LiveSmart BC financial incentives for space heating upgrades, including high-efficiency heat pump systems, expired on March 31, 2013. Rebates are still available for insulation and sealing improvements; check the LiveSmart BC website for details. A new heat pump system still provides substantial savings on home heating bills and, depending on the particular house and type of system being replaced, can pay for itself within a few years. With the recent elimination of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in BC, you will now only pay 5% GST on a new heat pump installation. Envirotemp offers competitive pricing, clean, high quality workmanship, and the best warranties in the industry. Contact us today for a free estimate.
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If you are thinking about upgrading your heating system this year, now may be the best time to tackle it. You can still access significant savings through the LiveSmart BC energy efficiency incentive program until the end of March. If you install an eligible heat pump system (ductless inverter or ENERGY STAR® qualified conventional system), you qualify for a rebate of up to $1500, plus a bonus of $100 for having it installed by an accredited contractor.

But there is no time to waste, as you will need to schedule a pre-retrofit home assessment with a certified energy advisor before having the system installed, and then a post-retrofit assessment after, all by March 31st, 2013. Check the LiveSmart BC website for details. Keep in mind that the last three days of March fall on a long weekend.

For people who want to take advantage of the LiveSmart BC incentives, but do not have room in their budget for home energy improvements right now, check out Vancity's Bright Ideas home renovation loan. It is a personal financing option with a low interest rate of prime plus 1% for a period of up to 10 years, with a maximum amount of $20,000. For Colwood residents, another option is the BC Hydro Home Loan pilot program. This program allows eligible homeowners in Colwood to borrow up to $10,000 at an interest rate as low as 4 per cent.