FAQ

Eligibility

  1. I have already had an initial (pre-retrofit) assessment. Am I eligible for incentives through this new program?

    No. Only participants starting the program on or after April 1, 2010 are eligible for the extended incentives.

  2. I have already received incentives through the LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive/ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program. Am I eligible for incentives through this new program?

    No. Only participants starting the program on or after April 1, 2010 are eligible for the extended incentives. 

  3. I participated in the LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive program and the federal ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program in a previous home. I now own a new home. Am I eligible for incentives under this new program?

    Yes. The first step to becoming eligible for incentives in your new home is to have a home energy assessment by a House Whisperers' Certified Energy Advisor.

About the program and how to participate

  1. How do I apply for LiveSmart BC?

    Your Certified Energy Advisor will handle all the paperwork in applying for provincial incentives after the post-retrofit energy assessment.

  2. Is there a provincial maximum for energy efficiency?

    No, there is no provincial maximum. You will receive provincial incentives for all eligible upgrades made to your home.

  3. Are the incentives based on how much I spend for upgrades?

    No. The amount you receive is based on the individual upgrades completed. A specific incentive amount will be calculated for each qualifying upgrade so the rebate is based on the total number of qualifying upgrades completed.

  4. Does the new equipment I am installing have to have a higher efficiency than the original equipment to qualify for incentives?

    Yes.

  5. Will I be taxed on the efficiency incentives I receive for my upgrades?

    No.

  6. When does the incentive program end?

    To be eligible for upgrades undertaken this year you must have a post retrofit assessment by March 31, 2011. Over the next year we will work with Natural Resources Canada and our utility partners to look at options for the program for the following two years.

  7. Can I participate in the LiveSmart BC program more than once?

    No. You are only eligible to participate in the program one time for each property you own. Only participants starting the program on or after April 1, 2010 are eligible for the extended incentives.

Getting the work done

  1. How do I know what type of new energy efficient products I should be putting into my house?

    Your Certified Energy Advisor will help determine the improvements that are most cost effective for your home.

  2. How do I know what it will cost me to make efficiency improvements? For example, how much will it cost to replace my windows or buy a new furnace?

    You are encouraged to research energy efficiency products by talking to retailers, your contractor and the Certified Energy Advisor who does your home energy assessment. Before having work done to your home, you are advised to obtain three quotes from contractors.

  3. Can I do the work myself and receive a grant?

    Yes, but you must have an energy assessment done by a Certified Energy Advisor both before and after you make the improvements. Homeowners are responsible for ensuring that they obtain all necessary permits and meet all municipal and provincial requirements.

  4. Do I have to make my energy efficiency improvements right after my initial (pre-retrofit) assessment?

    No. However, in order to access incentives from this program you must complete your eligible improvements and your post-retrofit assessment by March 31, 2011.

  5. I’ve already started my improvements. Can I still have an energy assessment done?

    It depends. The assessment requires a “blower door” test. This requires the building envelope to be intact. Holes in the exterior walls will prevent the test from being done. You can contact a Certified Energy Advisor to determine whether an assessment can be done.

Building type eligibility

  1. Does it matter how old my house is?

    Yes it does. While there is no restriction as to the age of an existing house, new homes are not eligible to participate. Houses built before 1985 will benefit the most as they have the most potential for energy improvements.

  2. Are mobile homes eligible for the incentive program?

    Yes. Mobile homes are eligible if they are situated on a permanent foundation and if the property tax roll is in the name of the homeowner.

  3. I live in an apartment/condo complex. Am I eligible for incentives?

    Multi-unit residential buildings are not eligible for the LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program.

  4. I am building a new house. Am I eligible for incentives and assessments under this new program?

    No. The Efficiency Incentive Program only targets existing housing. However, BC Hydro and FortisBC have incentive programs for new housing.

The Energy Assessment

  1. Why do I have to have an assessment to be eligible for incentives? What benefits will the assessment provide?

    The home energy assessment:

    • provides independent third-party energy efficiency advice for existing homes;
    • handles the paperwork to make you eligible for incentive;
    • provides you with an energy efficiency rating label of your home that can increase the home’s resale potential by providing evidence of “invisible” energy improvements in existing homes;
    • provides the home’s estimated energy consumption, energy efficiency recommendations and the estimated reductions in energy use should each recommendation be implemented; and
    • allows you to make informed decisions on improving the efficiency of your home over the short- and long-term.

  2. How long does it take to have an energy assessment completed?

    The initial (pre-retrofit) energy assessment will take approximately two hours to complete. The follow-up (post-retrofit) energy assessment will take approximately one hour.

  3. How much does an energy assessment cost? Is this cost reimbursed?

    The total cost for an initial (pre-retrofit) energy assessment is $300.00. The LiveSmart BC Incentive Program covers $150.00 of the cost directly to the Certified Energy Advisor, so the cost to the homeowner is only $150.00. The follow-up (post-retrofit) assessment also costs about $150.00. This cost is covered by the homeowner.

  4. What quality assurance procedures are in place for Certified Energy Advisors?

    Natural Resources Canada reviews customer surveys and files and conducts on-site reviews of each Certified Energy Advisor a minimum of twice a year.

  5. Will I need to provide personal information? What privacy guidelines are in place?

    Your personal information will be needed to process your grant application. Your personal information is protected under the provincial Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and under the federal Privacy Act. To coordinate incentives offered by LiveSmart BC and our utility partners, personal information will, if applicable, be shared with your utility provider to determine grant eligibility offerings provided by BC Hydro, Terasen Gas and Fortis BC. Utility Providers are also required to protect your privacy.

Current participants of the first LiveSmart BC incentive program

  1. How does this new program affect participants of the first LiveSmart incentive program?

    There is no change for homeowners currently participating in the first LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive program. All homeowners who entered the LiveSmart program by having their initial (pre-retrofit) home energy assessment prior to end of business on August 15, 2009, and who complete their post-retrofit home energy assessment 18 months after they had their initial (pre-retrofit) home energy assessment, will be eligible for the rebates and incentives in place at the time of their pre-retrofit assessment.

  2. I have already had an initial (pre-retrofit) assessment. Am I eligible for incentives through this new program?

    No. Only participants starting the program on or after April 1, 2010 are eligible for the extended incentives.

  3. I have already received incentives through the LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive/ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program. Am I eligible for incentives through this new program?

    No. Only participants starting the program on or after April 1, 2010 are eligible for the extended incentives.

  4. I participated in the LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program and/or the federal ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program in a previous home. I now own a new home. Am I eligible for incentives under this new program?

    Yes. The first step to becoming eligible for incentives in your new home is to have a home energy assessment by a certified energy advisor.

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