New rebate for homeowners who install an energy-efficient,
whole-home heating and cooling system
SURREY, BC, July 30, 2024
/CNW/ - FortisBC Energy Inc. (FortisBC) is introducing a new rebate
of $10,000 or more for eligible
customers who replace their home's older gas heating system with an
electric heat pump and high-efficiency gas furnace.1
These dual fuel systems can operate at more than 100 per cent
efficiency2 under certain conditions, offering a
promising way forward for customers who want to lower the costs and
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with their energy use
while maintaining access to both the gas and electricity systems
for reliable year-round heating and cooling.
"Whether it's the coldest winter morning or hottest summer
afternoon, dual fuel systems provide our customers with the
certainty of a comfortable home while using energy efficiently to
lower associated greenhouse gas emissions," said Joe Mazza, vice president of energy supply and
resource development at FortisBC. "The new rebate helps make this
system more affordable for customers and combines the strengths of
both energy systems to meet their heating and cooling needs."
A dual fuel system provides whole-home heating and cooling and
is a good option for homeowners who are replacing an aging gas
furnace and want to upgrade to a reliable and efficient system
keeping their home comfortable year-round. It includes an electric
heat pump for cooling during warm weather and space heating during
milder conditions, and a high-efficiency gas furnace for heating in
colder weather. The system is operated through a connected
thermostat that automatically switches between electric and gas
heating at specific temperatures to maximize energy efficiency and
comfort. By combining the strengths of both energy systems in this
way, a dual fuel system helps lower overall energy use,3
ensures reliable heating on the coldest days and meets the criteria
set out in the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 stating all new space
and water heating systems must be more than 100 per cent energy
efficient by 2030.
FortisBC is currently evaluating dual fuel systems in homes
across the province as part of a pilot program to continue to learn
more about the energy savings in different climates. A
participating customer from Prince
George shared his experience with a dual fuel system.
"I'm happy to be part of FortisBC's pilot program for dual fuel
systems," said Jed, pilot participant. "The system is excellent for
the north because the high-efficiency gas furnace can take over
during the coldest times of the year. In our region, access to
reliable energy is essential; the risk of a temporary loss of
service isn't an option during low temperatures. In addition, the
heat pump provides air conditioning in the summer, which has been
invaluable during recent heat waves. Having a system that uses both
electricity and gas gives me the confidence that I can heat and
cool my home comfortably all year-round."
To make these systems more accessible for customers with unique
circumstances and needs, additional funds are also available for
income-qualified, Indigenous and Northern B.C. customers. Customers
living in and north of 100 Mile House who install a dual fuel
system can be eligible for an additional $3,000 top-up offer funded by the Province of
British Columbia for a maximum
rebate of $13,000. Low-income
customers and Indigenous communities may be eligible for a rebate
of $15,000. These customers living in
northern communities can also access the top-up for a maximum
rebate of $18,000.
Reducing energy use is a key element in FortisBC's
own Clean Growth Pathway to 2050 and the company plans to
invest close to $700 million in their
electricity and gas energy-efficiency programs between 2024-2027.
Reducing customers' GHG emissions is top of mind for FortisBC as
they continue to invest in conservation and energy efficiency and
work to increase supply of renewable and low-carbon
gases.4
For more information about FortisBC's dual fuel rebate offer,
visit fortisbc.com/dualfuel.
Quotes
"All B.C. households deserve to have affordable, efficient and
reliable heating and cooling in their homes. Through our CleanBC
Better Homes Energy Savings Program, we're working with FortisBC
and other partners to make heat pumps more affordable for low- and
middle-income households, Indigenous communities and northern
residents, helping more people and families save money, increase
the comfort and safety of their homes and build cleaner
communities."
- Josie Osborne, B.C.
Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation
"It's important that we allow residents a range of options and
choices to support their energy needs. FortisBC's rebate for dual
fuel systems can help households manage their heating, while
lowering associated greenhouse gas emissions and supporting cooling
capacity given the impacts of climate change. Much like Renewable
Natural Gas, this dual fuel option helps FortisBC customers do
their part in helping the province meet its climate action
goals."
- Mayor Richard Stewart, City
of Coquitlam
"As we think about how we will achieve provincial climate action
goals, there's opportunity with residential homes that have older
heating and cooling systems. Upgrading these systems to a dual fuel
system can help homeowners lower energy use while decarbonizing
their homes, which means they're part of the solution."
- Daniel Winer, Executive Officer at the Canadian
Home Builders' Association Central Okanagan
"We've worked together with FortisBC for a number of years
to find opportunities to improve energy efficiency in homes and
buildings across the province, and we're looking forward to
participating in this new dual fuel offer. In collaboration with
our members, we plan to install a number of dual fuel systems in
both apartment buildings and residential homes, including in
northern communities. This will help make their homes more
comfortable and energy efficient, and to keep energy costs
affordable for tenants."
- Patrick Caraher, Portfolio Planning and
Development Specialist at the Aboriginal Housing Management
Association
Backgrounder
- Eligible customers can receive a $10,000 rebate to install a qualifying dual fuel
system. Customers living in and north of 100 Mile House can qualify
for a $3,000 top-up offer funded by
the Province of British Columbia
for a maximum rebate of $13,000.
- Income qualified customers and Indigenous communities who
install this system can be eligible for a rebate of $15,000. These customers living in and north of
100 Mile House may qualify for the $3,000 top-up offer for a maximum of $18,000.
- To qualify for the dual fuel system rebate, customers must meet
the following criteria as well as additional terms and conditions
for the program:
-
- have an existing gas furnace that is at least 10 years old
- replace an existing system with a qualifying dual fuel system
that includes a qualifying heat pump model and qualifying
high-efficiency gas furnace
- install the system with a maximum switchover temperature
of:
-
- 5 °C or lower on Vancouver Island and in the Lower
Mainland
- 2 °C or lower in the Southern Interior and Northern B.C.
- use a Technical Safety BC licensed gas contractor that is an
active member of the Home Performance Contractor Network to install
the system
- install the dual fuel system with an invoice date on or after
July 1, 2024
- A switchover temperature is the point when the system will
switch from the heat pump to the furnace. So, if the switchover
temperature outside is set at 5 °C, above 5 °C your home is heated
with the heat pump and below 5 °C it's heated by your furnace. The
maximum switchover temperatures align with the ones currently set
by the Province of B.C.'s CleanBC Better Homes program.
- Another first for FortisBC was the recent announcement that all
gas customers will have one per cent of their gas designated as
Renewable Natural Gas[1] (RNG) as of July 1,
2024, known as a designated RNG blend. This adds to
FortisBC's ongoing efforts to reduce overall GHG emissions.
Customers also have the option to voluntarily increase the
percentage of designated RNG.
FortisBC Energy Inc. is a regulated utility focused on
providing safe and reliable energy, including natural gas,
Renewable Natural Gas and propane. FortisBC Energy Inc. employs
around 2,096 British Columbians and serves approximately 1,075,595
customers across British Columbia.
FortisBC Energy Inc. owns and operates approximately 51,174
kilometres of gas transmission and distribution pipelines. FortisBC
Energy Inc. is a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., a leader in the North
American regulated electric and gas utility industry. FortisBC
Energy Inc. uses the FortisBC name and logo under license from
Fortis Inc. For further information on FortisBC, visit
fortisbc.com. For further information on Fortis Inc.,
visit fortisinc.com.
fortisbc.com
@fortisbc
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1
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Subject to program
terms and conditions.
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2
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A pilot on dual fuel
heating systems with 14 residential customers indicates an average
seasonal coefficient of performance of 1.24.
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3
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When compared to
standard efficiency, 80 per cent annual fuel utilization
efficiency, gas furnaces and boilers.
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4
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FortisBC uses the term
renewable and low-carbon gas to refer collectively to the
low-carbon gases or fuels that the utility can acquire under the
Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Clean Energy) Regulation, which are:
Renewable Natural Gas (also called RNG or biomethane), hydrogen,
synthesis gas (from wood waste) and lignin. FortisBC's renewable
and low-carbon gas portfolio currently includes only Renewable
Natural Gas. Other gases and fuels may be added to the program over
time. Depending on their source, all of these gases have differing
levels of lifecycle carbon intensity. However, all of these gases
are low carbon when compared to the lifecycle carbon intensity of
conventional natural gas. The current burner tip emission factor of
RNG is 0.27 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule of
energy (gCO2e/MJ) and the current renewable and
low-carbon gas portfolio lifecycle emissions for stationary
combustion are -22 gCO2e/MJ. This is below B.C.'s low
carbon threshold for lifecycle carbon intensity of 30.8
gCO2e/MJ as set out in the 2024 Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Regulation amendments.
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5
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Renewable Natural Gas
(also called RNG or biomethane) is produced in a different
manner than conventional natural gas. It is derived from biogas,
which is produced from decomposing organic waste from landfills,
agricultural waste and wastewater from treatment facilities. The
biogas is captured and cleaned to create RNG. When RNG is added to
North America's natural gas system, it mixes with conventional
natural gas. This means we're unable to direct RNG to a specific
customer. But the more RNG is added to the gas system, the less
conventional natural gas is needed, thereby reducing the use of
fossil fuels and overall greenhouse gas emissions.
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SOURCE FortisBC