Power Smart New Home Program
Build a better home,
a Power Smart home
The most cost-effective way to save energy in the home is to design with energy efficiency in mind. Our New Home Program encourages builders and developers to build an energy-efficient home – a Power Smart home. Working with builders and developers, BC Hydro Power Smart wants to create homes that cost less to operate and are more comfortable places to live.
The offers
A. Builders who build to EnerGuide Rating Service standards receive:
- Financial incentives*
- Promotional opportunities and funding
- Power Smart branding for the home
| Power Smart Branding | |
|---|---|
Gold Label | For a home that achieves a rating of EG 80. These homes use 30% less energy than the typical home built in today's market. |
Silver Label | For a home that achieves a rating of EG 77. |
*The incentive amount is subject to available funding. See a developer representative for details.
Who qualifies
The Power Smart New Home Program is designed for residential builders and developers of single family homes, town homes, or qualifying low-rise multi-family residential buildings.
B. Both single-family and multi-family builders receive Energy Star Appliance Package incentives.
Builder benefits
Set your development apart in a crowded marketplace.
In a competitive market, every distinguishing feature helps. When buying a Power Smart home, homeowners know they'll enjoy increased comfort and decreased operating costs for the lifetime of the home.
Benefits include:
- Promotion of your housing devlopment on our website;
- On-site energy efficiency evaluations to improve building envelope performance;
- Financial incentives to reduce your upgrade costs;
- The reputation of the Power Smart brand, recognized and valued by consumers.
How it works
For single-family home builders:
Enrol in the EGNH program and complete the EGNH program enrolment form.
- Pre-construction evaluation.
- Get house plans evaluated by a qualified EGNH energy advisor who will make recommendations to increase the performance rating of the home.
- Construction of home(s).
- Post-construction verification.
- After construction, a blower door test is conducted by the energy advisor to verify the air changes per hour (ACH), which is inputted into the software program for a final performance rating.
- Labelling and Incentives.
- Results are submitted to NRCan and BC Hydro Power Smart. The home receives a Power Smart label when an EGNH 77 rating or higher is achieved.
For both single-family and multi-family home builders:
To submit to BC Hydro, download and complete the application form:
- Single Family Dwelling and Row/Townhouse [PDF, 363 Kb]
- Apartments and Condominiums [PDF, 388 Kb]
After processing the application form, incentives will be paid to the builder.
Application forms can be mailed to:
Power Smart New Home Program,
4555 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 4T8
Contact us
A Power Smart New Home representative can discuss energy-efficient design and products with you. Contact us for more information. Our representatives will provide you with all the information you need to participate.
Last Modified: May 21, 2009
