Climate-Friendly Home Incentives

Burning fossil fuels (e.g., natural gas or oil) for space and water heating in our buildings is the second largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in our community. You can make your home more climate-friendly by upgrading to a renewable electricity heating system at time of replacement (for example, a central or ductless heat pump), and improving the efficiency of your home. This page is for existing home upgrades to detached and semi-detached homes. If you're looking for other rebates, check out the Incentives for Multi-Unit Residential Buildings webpage. 

Advice and Concierge Programs

Incentives for Renewable and Efficiency Upgrades

Advice and Concierge Programs

Home Energy Navigator

The Home Energy Navigator is a free program to support homeowners throughout their retrofit journey. Participants are connected with an Energy Concierge, who will be available throughout their retrofit project to answer questions, provide support, and give local, expert advice and guidance to navigate the complex world of home energy retrofits.

BC Home Energy Planner

The BC Home Energy Planner is a free online tool where you answer a short questionnaire and get an instant free home energy report, which includes an energy score and recommended impactful upgrades. You can then choose what home energy upgrades you’re interested in to get a personalized plan for your home.

This provincial program is free, simple and quick.  Complete your questionnaire now!

Incentives for Renewable and Efficiency Upgrades

(Terms apply and rebates are subject to change.) 

Heat Pump Rebates and Financing

  • Saanich Heat Pump Financing: up to $12,000 zero interest financing. 
  • Home Renovation Rebate Program: up to $4,000 to switch from electric heating to heat pump; up to $1,000 to replace electric water heater to heat pump water heater
  • Income qualified heat pump rebates are also available. Learn more below.  
Why make the switch from natural gas or oil to a heat pump?
  • A heat pump can be three times as efficient as a natural gas furnace
  • Heat pumps are climate-friendly, running on renewable, low carbon electricity
  • If switching from oil, you will save between 40 – 75% on your energy bills each year; homes switching from natural gas will have similar or smaller energy costs with a heat pump - see www.saanich.ca/maketheswitch to learn more.
  • Dramatically reduce your home’s greenhouse gas emissions by getting your home off fossil fuels
  • Get comfortable and cost effective heating and cooling all year round, with air filtration (learn more about keeping your indoor air cool and clean during a heat wave or smoky sky event).

Window, Door, Insulation and Other Incentives:

For more info, visit www.betterhomesbc.ca.

Income Qualified Rebates:

  • CleanBC Better Homes Energy Savings Program:
    • Up to $13,000 to switch from fossil fuel heating to a high-efficiency heat pump.
    • Up to $3,500 to switch oil, natural gas, propane or electric water heater to a heat pump water heater
    • Add-on rebates, including for: ventilation rebate, health and safety rebate (mould, pests, etc.), electrical service upgrade rebate, etc.
  • FREE upgrades for income-qualifying homes (ECAP) from BC Hydro and FortisBC 
    • All home heating types are eligible for upgrades 
    • Eligible housing types include single-family detached homes, townhomes, rowhomes, duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, manufactrued homes and mobile homes. Apartments and condominiums available in Fall 2026.
    • Income eligibility depedent on number of people living in the household. See website for income eligibility table. 

Rebates for Solar Panels & Battery Storage:

  • Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels: Up to $5,000 
    • $1,000 per kilowatt (kW) of installed generator capacity.  
    • Rebate amount capped at 50% of total installed product cost (including labour and materials). 
  • Battery energy storage systems: Up to $5,000
    • Minimum storage size: 5 kilowatt-hours (kWh).
    • $500 per kWh of installed storage capacity.  
    • Rebate amount capped at 50% of total installed product cost (including labour and materials). 

Free Portable Air Conditioners (Income-Qualified)

The Government of B.C. is providing $10 million in funding to expand the Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP) to include portable air conditioners to support vulnerable customers. Income-qualified customers in all housing types, including condos and apartments, can apply online now.