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The LiveSmart BC program starts with an energy-efficiency assessment and continues with incentives for upgrades to a home's efficiency.

June 10, 2010

LiveSmart BC program gives access to rebates for audits, energy-efficient incentives

The LiveSmart BC efficiency incentive program is back, complete with many of the incentives that proved so popular with homeowners in the original LiveSmart BC program launched in 2008.

The March 2010 B.C. budget announced a further $35 million is earmarked for the LiveSmart BC program

. The extended program includes:

• Incentives to participants entering the program as of April 1, 2010;
• Incentives include savings for qualifying high efficiency furnaces and water heaters, insulation, draft proofing, windows and doors, renewable energy and heat pumps.
• A bonus program pays out further rebates when residents increase their home's overall EnerGuide rating.

Government figures show that participants in the original LiveSmart BC incentives program saved an average of 31% annually on energy and an average of 2.5 tonnes per year of greenhouse gas reductions.

To participate in the program, homeowners must first undertake an energy efficiency assessment by a certified energy advisor. Acting on recommendations aimed at reducing energy costs, increasing comfort and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, homeowners can qualify for cost-saving incentives by improving their home energy efficiency.

The LiveSmart BC incentives are being provided in partnership with  BC Hydro, Terasen Gas and FortisBC. The offer is available to B.C. homeowners who have an initial (pre-retrofit) energy assessment performed on or after April 1, 2010 and who complete a follow-up (post-retrofit) energy assessment by March 31, 2011.

EnerGuide rating bonus

The revived LiveSmart BC program includes a further incentive aimed at encouraging participants to increase their home's EnerGuide rating.

Participants who undertake at least two eligible improvements and increase their home’s overall EnerGuide rating by specified amounts can be eligible for rebates of $500 to $1,000 for those living in Interior and Northern areas, and $400 to $700 for those living in South Coastal areas.

For details on LiveSmart BC incentives and the EnerGuide bonus incentives, go to the official LiveSmart BC page. A breakdown on the various incentives is included in a PDF accessed from that page.