Commercial New Construction Performance Program

Please note: The Commercial New Construction Program is being redesigned, and is currently unavailable.

• The rebate information on this page is only for customers applying for 2023 rebates.
• If you have any questions, please contact your FortisBC key account manager.

We’re rethinking how we use energy and lower our customers’ greenhouse gas emissions, including encouraging the design and construction of buildings for energy performance beyond the minimum levels required by the BC Building Code. Using the BC Energy Step Code, you can decide how to achieve the energy efficiency goals of your project while saving costs, reducing energy use and emissions and increasing occupant comfort.

Capital incentives for 2023 program applicants

Note: the information below is for participants who were accepted into the program before December 31, 2023.

This 2023 program provides capital financial incentives to cover a portion of the incremental cost to build a higher performing building, compared to a building that simply meets minimum BC Building Code (BCBC) requirements. Capital incentives are based on the target energy performance of the building and the square footage of the indoor floor area. The higher performing the building, the higher the rebate.

Mixed-use buildings must be energy modelled to produce a single total energy use intensity (TEUI) and thermal energy demand intensity (TEDI) for the purpose of the incentive. Select the path appropriate for your building’s energy performance target: 

Path 1: Capital incentives for energy modelling based on the BC Energy Step Code

Path 2: Capital incentives for commercial buildings not subject to the BC Energy Step Code

Energy model rebate

The energy model rebate can help you with the cost of a detailed engineering analysis of your facility. Paid upon completion and approval of the energy study, the rebate is 50 per cent of the associated program participation fees, to a maximum of $15,000.

Airtightness rebate

The airtightness rebate encourages program participants to include airtightness testing during and after construction and feed the results back into the energy model.

For each stage (mid-construction and post-construction test) you'll receive 75 per cent of the cost of the airtightness test, to a maximum of $5,000 per test. (Note: if multiple tests are performed in one stage while an issue is being investigated and remediated, the total cost of all tests can be submitted for reimbursement.)

Requirements:

• Airtightness tests must be performed according to (BCBC Part 10.2.3.5.): ASTM E 779, “Standard test method for determining air leakage rate by Fan Pressurization,” or USACE Version 3, “Air leakage test protocol for building envelopes.”
• The mid-construction test should be performed after the air barrier component of the building envelope is installed to help identify any problem areas while they're still accessible.
• The final test is performed after construction is fully completed and the energy model updated to provide a more accurate understanding of how the building performs.
• Tests must use an induced air pressure of not less than 75 Pa.
• Results of airtightness tests must be reported to FortisBC, not just whether it passed or failed requirements.
• Post-construction airtightness test results must also be entered into the final energy model using the procedure outlined in the City of Vancouver Energy Modelling Guidelines version 2.

How rebates are paid

1. Energy model review and invoice submission

Once an energy model is reviewed and approved, the first instalment of the capital incentive is paid, which is equal to 10 per cent of the total capital incentive, as verified by the model, to a maximum of $25,000.

For the additional energy model rebate, submit an invoice for the energy model and receive 50 per cent of the associated program participation fees, up to a maximum of $15,000.

The rebates are payable in two or more instalments. Both of these incentives are paid out at this time.

2. Project completion

The remaining 90 per cent of the capital incentive rebate is paid after the building construction and commissioning is complete, subject to a successful site inspection to confirm that energy conservation measures were installed as described in the energy model.

3. Airtightness testing

If airtightness testing has occurred mid-construction and post-construction, rebates are paid after the results of the test and the invoice or progress draw are submitted to FortisBC for review.

These should be submitted after each stage for an airtightness rebate equivalent to 75 per cent of the cost of each test, up to a maximum of $5,000.

We’re here to help

If you have questions, contact your key account manager, energy solutions manager or technical advisor, call 1-866-884-8833 or email [email protected].