Connect your project to gas
Planning how to add, move, remove or upgrade gas service at your construction or renovation site can help your project run smoothly. Plus, you may qualify for financial incentives for installing gas piping and appliances in your development.
Interested in Renewable Natural Gas for your project?
Renewable Natural Gas1 (RNG) is a low-carbon2 energy that can help reduce overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Adding RNG to North America’s gas system doesn’t require homes or businesses to make any changes or retrofits to existing gas appliances or equipment.
All FortisBC gas customers have two per cent of their gas designated as RNG, known as designated RNG blend. FortisBC is the first energy utility in North America to automatically designate RNG to customers. We also have a voluntary RNG program, and signing up is simple. Customers can designate five, 10, 25, 50 or 100 per cent of the gas they use as RNG. They also receive a credit on the B.C. carbon tax on their bill, depending on the blend they choose.
Plan for construction
We have online service request tools to help you find out if gas is available at your location, get a cost estimate for installation and schedule your service.
Our online service request tool. | |
A service line and meter must be installed to connect the building to a gas main. Contractors requesting service on behalf of a homeowner can submit the request under their company name, and then the homeowner will need to open a new FortisBC account after installation is complete. Please allow for at least three to six weeks of lead time. Some requests may take longer or require more planning. |
If you’re demolishing a building and need to have your gas service removed or moved due to grade changes or renovations, contact us as soon as possible to request moving or removing a gas line. We’ll need two to six weeks for service removal requests, or six to eight weeks for moves. The process may take longer if more planning is required. |
If you’re adding gas appliances that will increase the amount of gas being used, call us at 1-888-224-2710 to request a larger meter or different sized regulator. We’ll need to know the gas fitter’s name and phone number, the delivery pressure required, and the total load in British Thermal Units (BTU). We’ll determine your needs and let you know the process and timeline. |
This program allows builders and developers to work directly with an approved design and engineering service provider and an approved civil contractor on the design and installation of gas mains and services. This can help projects move forward faster and could save you time and money. |
Compare how different appliances and heating and/or cooling system choices may impact your homebuyer’s energy costs. |
Tools for building with gas
Connecting your development to gas can help you save construction costs and offer your customers the comfort and convenience of gas appliances.
Give your customers the option of adding gas appliances later by installing piping in your development before the walls are finished. For example, consider pre-piping to the kitchen, living room or a quick connect on the patio to make it easy for them to add a range, fireplace or gas barbecue. |
We offer piping and individual metering for secondary suites and multi-unit residential building (e.g. condos) with gas appliances in each suite. Suite metering allows you to include the comforts and convenience of gas in your home or development, and you or your customers won’t have to subsidize your neighbours’ or tenants’ energy use.
Suite metering gives landlords and tenants control over their own energy usage. | |
Compared to a common meter for the whole building, suite metering gives homeowners in multi-unit residential buildings control over their own utility costs. |
Most energy used in the home goes toward space and water heating.
If you include gas appliances in your development, contact an energy solutions manager to order marketing materials that highlight the benefits to your customers.
Find out which gas space heating system is right for your development. | |
Learn which gas water heater system is right for your development. |
We’re here to help
If you have questions about getting gas service for your project, contact an energy solutions manager or call us at 1-888-224-2710 (choose Construction Services), Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
1Renewable 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.
2When compared to the lifecycle carbon intensity of conventional natural gas. The burner tip emission factor of FortisBC’s current Renewable Natural Gas (also called RNG or biomethane) portfolio is 0.27 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule of energy (gCO2e/MJ). FortisBC’s current RNG 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.