Commercial Express program 'goes to 11'
List of eligible building types grows with customer demand
There's a famous scene in the classic 1984 heavy metal rock band mockumentary This is Spinal Tap where a member of the fictitious band explains how their amplifier knobs all go to 11 "for when we need that extra push over the cliff".
What does this have to do with the CleanBC Commercial Express program? Officially, nothing. But the popular program has just gone to 11 building prototypes, thanks to the addition of four new building types: mid-size offices, classrooms, community centres, and hospital services.
And there are likely to be more down the road. Dare they "go to 12"?
"We've added four in direct response to feedback from customers who participate in these programs," says BC Hydro's new Senior Program Manager Linda van der Velden, whose portfolio covers all the CleanBC incentives BC Hydro administers in the commercial space. "And I think we're all open to looking at more in the future."
Van der Velden is already hearing through Alliance Program Specialist Tanya Perewernycky that there's an appetite for incentives for long-term care homes. For now, the program doesn't recognize that as an official building type, but Van der Velden says eligibility can be approved as a multi-unit residential building type, which is on the list of 11.
"It's not formally on the list, but we accept long term care facilities under multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs), and we've communicated that to the sector," she says.
Another change is that MURB incentives, both for high- and low-rise apartments, are no longer restricted to common areas. They now apply to eligible in-suite upgrades, as long as the suites fall under the building's primary meter (not individually metered) and they align with the program's goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
"There's obviously a big focus on electrification, which is the right thing to do from an environmental standpoint but can be difficult from a cost perspective," adds Van der Velden. "That's why we have this program in place, to help offset those costs."
Program refresher: free energy coaching, and the full eligibility list
The CleanBC Commercial Express program provides support to building owners and operators who wish to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in their existing commercial buildings. A streamlined incentives application process is designed around a series of questions about a customer's building and their intended retrofit. And there's no need for applicants to submit an energy study.
For a limited time, there's also access to free help in getting started through the Small Buildings Energy Coach program. Specific program updates, along with the project application form, participant's guide and FAQs, can all be found on the CleanBC website.
The Program offers capital incentives up to a maximum of $100,000 per project, depending on building type, age, location, square footage, hours of operation and the type of equipment being considered. There's an added up to $25,000 (for a maximum total of $125,000) for eligible Northern customers: those located north of and including the District of 100 Mile House (latitude 51.628°N).
Here's the full list of eligible building types:
- Mid-size office
- Small office
- Strip mall retail
- Big box retail
- Warehouse
- Restaurant-food service
- School gymnasium
- Classroom
- Multi-unit residential building (high rise and low rise)
- Community centre
- Hospital services