FortisBC doubles potential funding for net-zero ready home builders

FortisBC Energy Inc. and FortisBC Inc. are doubling the funding available for B.C. builders looking for more affordable ways to build homes requiring less heating, cooling, and electricity.

FortisBC has worked closely with builders and developers to understand the best way to build both fully electric and integrated gas-electric homes to Steps 4 and 5, the highest levels of the BC Energy Step Code.

To better support builders with new construction projects, including $15,000 or more to build to Step 4 and $20,000 or more to meet Step 5, the company has revamped its New Home Program.

“The province needs new energy-efficient homes to support the growing population as well as meet longer-term climate action goals,” said Danielle Wensink, director of conservation and energy management at FortisBC. “We believe that when builders have options, it can help us work towards these goals collectively while also giving customers a choice in energy options for their homes. Offering rebates on new construction projects gives builders flexibility on how to approach their projects, especially in different climates, while still building higher-efficiency homes.”

The program was updated after working with builders across B.C.’s diverse climate zones. The builders provided FortisBC with lessons on the flexibility, support and funding required to help design and build high-efficiency new homes in more affordable, practical ways, including net-zero ready homes.

Each builder worked within the requirements of their project and took unique approaches to meet higher levels of the BC Energy Step Code. All projects put a focus on energy-efficiency from the initial design phase and all stakeholders involved in the construction collaborated to make sure the building elements are working together to lower the energy requirements.

The success of this approach was most evident with one of the case study participants, the Wilden Living Lab (WLL) project, led by The Wilden Group in Kelowna.

“We worked closely with FortisBC and other industry stakeholders right from the onset to explore options to build net-zero ready homes and advance this within the industry,” said Karin Eger-Blenk, CEO and co-chair of The Wilden Group. “By continuing to work together, and taking advantage of increased supports, we believe Step 5 can be the default instead of the exception for new homes in B.C.”

Another lesson learned after working with builders was that having access to the gas and electricity systems provided the most choice and flexibility in achieving the higher levels of the BC Energy Step Code.

“A focus on high-performance design while maintaining access to both energy systems provided builders with the most options in how they design and build new homes,” said Wensink. “We believe this approach helps fill a critical gap for energy-efficient new homes while achieving higher levels of the BC Energy Step Code.”

This desire for choice in new construction is an important consideration for fast-growing communities that are replacing aging single-family homes in older communities with duplexes and other higher-density infill housing. This is seen as one of the ways to meet the need to build additional housing stock over the next several years.

With these buildings qualifying for funding through FortisBC’s New Home Program, it could increase the potential for these to be built to higher efficiency standards. This can help reduce demand in areas where the density may result in too much load for the existing electricity system.

At the end of a project, builders could now receive $15,000 for achieving Step 4 or $20,000 for achieving Step 5 of the BC Energy Step Code.