With winter around the corner and many people planning renovations as they stay home due to the COVID pandemic, FortisBC is doubling its Home Renovation Rebates Program, as much as $2,400 per natural gas heating system, so that its customers can invest in energy-efficiency renovations that help improve comfort while lowering long-term heating costs.

"We want to make sure both our natural gas and electricity customers can continue to access the funds and services they need to make their home more comfortable and affordable, plus reduce their greenhouse gas emissions," said Danielle Wensink, director, conservation & energy management, FortisBC. "Helping our customers reduce energy use is also one of the ways we're progressing towards our goal of reducing all our customers' emissions by 30 per cent by the year 2030."

A recent poll of FortisBC customers showed that at least a quarter of people surveyed planned to use the extra time at home this winter to complete home renovations. With half the energy used in a typical home going towards heating, the majority of extra funding aims to help homeowners direct that investment towards high-efficiency home heating systems like furnaces, boilers and fireplaces. There are also increases to rebates for connected thermostats. 

"For customers who are heating with older, inefficient furnaces or are losing valuable heat through walls and windows, this is an excellent opportunity to get extra help investing in energy-efficient equipment upgrades and home improvements," said Wensink.

To ensure the safest installation and the maximum possible energy savings, the upgrades require installation by a qualified contractor to qualify for rebates. FortisBC maintains a list of independent natural gas and electrical contractors that have appropriate licenses and are familiar with FortisBC programs. The list is available at fortisbc.com/findacontractor.

"We encourage people to get three quotes on new heating systems from qualified contractors, and make sure to carefully check the credentials and pricing from anyone who visits to your home without an appointment to sell heating services," said Wensink.

FortisBC collaborates with BC Hydro in the Home Renovation Rebate Program. By assisting customers in reducing their energy use, FortisBC's energy conservation rebate programs play a key role in supporting federal, provincial and municipal climate change objectives.

To qualify for these rebates, customers must register for a unique promo code before December 31, 2020, complete the installation by March 31 and submit the application within six months of installation.

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