B.C. Expands Energy Efficiency Program to Provide No-Cost Retrofits to Homeowners, Tenants
July 3, 2026
- The Province, BC Hydro and FortisBC are working with Natural Resources Canada to help households with lower incomes improve their homes’ comfort and energy efficiency
- Through the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (CGHAP), Canada is providing $93.8 million to support provincial programming delivered by BC Hydro and FortisBC
- The Province of B.C. is contributing $8 million through CleanBC, BC Hydro is contributing $100.5 million and FortisBC is providing $20.1 million
- This funding will be used to support the expansion of the existing BC Hydro and FortisBC Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP), enabling the delivery of no-cost home-energy retrofits, such as electric heat pumps, dual fuel systems, home insulation and other weatherization measures to eligible income-qualified households
Together with BC Hydro, FortisBC and Natural Resources Canada, the Province is supporting families with lower incomes to save money on their utility costs through home-energy improvements.
“We are taking action to help people lower their utility bills by expanding our home energy-efficiency programming for lower-income families,” said Adrian Dix, B.C.’s Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. “Switching to high-efficiency heat pumps is one of the fastest, most effective ways to lower building-sector emissions and at the same time reduce costs for people.”
The Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP) through BC Hydro and FortisBC provides no-cost home-energy retrofits to homeowners and tenants with lower incomes, including upgrades, such as heat pumps, dual-fuel systems, insulation and air sealing, and other retrofits that help households save energy and reduce monthly utility costs.
The expansion of ECAP in B.C. represents a joint investment of $222 million. The federal Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program is contributing $93.8 million, alongside an $8-million contribution from the Province.
Energy Conservation Assistance Program
ECAP is designed to help those most in need by improving access to energy-efficiency upgrades for income-qualified households, while enhancing safety and comfort in their homes. ECAP is free for eligible income-qualified customers and provides home-energy assessments, energy coaching and energy-efficient upgrades.
Some income-qualified households may qualify for air-source heat pumps or dual-fuel systems. The program offers fully subsidized home-energy assessments, energy coaching and the installation of energy-efficient products.
BC Hydro
- BC Hydro is receiving $68.8 million from the Government of Canada, $8 million from the Province of B.C., and contributing $100.5 million, for a total of $177.3 million to expand ECAP.
- This funding will support the expansion of BC Hydro energy-efficiency programs that provide no-cost retrofits to eligible households throughout British Columbia.
- Supported measures include weatherization upgrades and heat pumps. The expanded programming will help more than 5,800 households with lower incomes to access significant energy-saving improvements, reducing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
FortisBC
- As part of a total investment of $45.1 million, the Government of Canada is contributing $25 million, while FortisBC is providing $20.1 million to expand ECAP and support income-qualified customers.
- This funding will support the expansion of energy-efficiency programming for eligible households in B.C., including weatherization upgrades, dual-fuel systems and other energy-saving measures.
- The investment will help approximately 1,800 households improve energy performance, lower utility costs and reduce associated greenhouse gas emissions while supporting broader provincial and federal affordability and climate goals.
