I suspect this will be one of the topics of greatest interest. The information I can offer is pertinent to our specific case here in a deep renovation in Victoria, BC. I hope all the hunting and pecking I have done as an amateur renovator over the course of nearly 2 years will reduce the amount of time you have to spend compiling your list. Bookmark your stuff. You’ll be glad you did. The more you learn the more sense this will all make. And as the bills pile up you’ll be glad to be able to look forward to getting some of your money back.
Timing is important. You need to file for a rebate quickly - usually within 6 months of doing the work in a given area. This may seem generous, but if you are in the middle of a reno, I assure you other things tend to take precedence and six months can fly by. It is important to keep tidy and complete records of what you or your contractor did. You need to be able to back up the invoices from the contractor with all their bills for material and equipment from vendors. In the case of windows this verges on the absurd (see windows and doors section) You need to take a picture of the sticker on every window in place - scan the complete set and submit them to see if each window qualifies for either a Tier 1 or Tier 2 rebate.
Luckily, the province has created one handy dandy CleanBCBetterHomes website to go to to submit info so you can qualify with the various rebate programs. Our energy coach made an application template for us which we are delighted to share with you. (TEMPLATE cleanBCBetterHomes)
You will find information about specific types of rebates on the pages for each category - ie insulation, heating, insulation, windows, water use and special equipment (in our case solar). But in this one spot I attempt to list all the rebates you can ask for. Remember to begin with a blower door test so you can establish your base point of “home leakiness’ and build your improvements around making the place tighter and more efficient.
At the outset here’s where we expected to get rebates and the maximum allowable amount that was offered at the time (2018). We’re filing in 2020
Fuel Switching $3000
City & CRD add on $2000 and $350 respectively for primary heating source upgrade)
Window Upgrades $2000*
Insulation $5500**
High Efficiency Water Heater $1000
EnerChoice Fireplace $300
Sub Total $13500 to $13850
Bonus for Multiple Upgrades $2000
Solar?
Possible Total of Nearly $16000
Additionally look for additional rebates through Heritage Victoria.
* (($1000 for Tier 1 and $2000 for Tier 2)
**(Attic $900, Exterior Wall Cavity $1200, Exterior Wall Sheathing Insulation $1200, Other insulation $1000 insulation, Basement/crawlspace walls insulation $1200)
We later learned that there are additional bonus rebates based on the number of upgrades and energy improvements if you complete 3 bonus eligible upgrades. The maximum is $2000 ($20per % gigajoule improvement in your home’s Energuide report.