Is your co-op considering installing heat pumps, replacing its water heater, or updating its windows? You may qualify for BC Hydro’s Social Housing Energy Savings Program.

The Energy Savings Program essentially replaces BC Hydro’s Social Housing Retrofit Support Program and aims to help social housing providers (including co-ops) identify and implement energy efficiency measures and reduce energy use in multi-unit residential buildings. This can improve building performance, reduce energy costs, and increase the comfort of homes for residents.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a non-profit housing co-operative, non-profit, local government / provincial housing authority, or Indigenous housing provider
• Customer within BC Hydro service territory* (including New Westminster)
• Operates a multi-unit residential building (e.g. apartment, row homes); side-by-side duplexes and row homes / townhomes must have centralized HVAC systems
• No minimum building unit count (except for lighting and fridge upgrade only projects)

For more details, please refer to the Social Housing Energy Savings Program Participant Guide.

Available Offers

• Opportunity assessment funding: Up to $6,000 for an assessment to identify ways that your co-op can reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Feasibility study funding: Receive up to $37,500 for a consultant to conduct an in-depth analysis of specific building systems to prepare for a retrofit project.
• Equipment upgrade funding: Access up to 75% of project upgrade costs, to a maximum of $600,000; and up to $11,000 in implementation support for whole building upgrades that include heat pumps, windows, water heating, and more. May be in the form of rebates or custom incentives depending on project scope.

To learn more about the Social Housing Energy Savings Program or find the offer that best meets your co-op’s needs, contact your BC Hydro Key Account Manager or visit the BC Hydro website.

Interested in other potential programs, grants and government subsidies? Learn more here.

*Note: For BC Hydro customers, the Social Housing Energy Savings Program replaces the Social Housing Retrofit Support Program. For FortisBC gas and electricity customers (located in the southern Thompson-Okanagan region), the Social Housing Retrofit Support Program continues to be available at this time.