Just Ask: Could You Qualify for Free Home Energy Upgrades?
Hayley Toth | Sunshine Coast Resource Centre
Is your home difficult to heat, drafty, or costing more to keep comfortable? You may be eligible for free home energy upgrades through the Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP), offered through BC Hydro and FortisBC.
ECAP provides eligible households with a free home energy evaluation, personalized energy-saving advice and approved energy-efficiency upgrades at no cost. The program has recently expanded with new federal and provincial funding, meaning more households may now be eligible for improvements that can make their homes warmer, more comfortable and more energy efficient.
Depending on the home and its heating system, upgrades may include insulation, draft-proofing, ventilation improvements, heat pumps and other energy-efficiency measures. For homes with electric heating, a ducted or ductless heat pump may be available. Homes primarily heated with natural gas, oil, propane or wood may also qualify to switch to an electric heat pump, depending on the home, utility provider and program requirements.
Not every household will qualify for every upgrade. The improvements available are determined by the program’s eligibility requirements and the results of the home’s energy evaluation.
ECAP is an income-based program, with eligibility based on the combined income of household members aged 18 and older. The current maximum household income is $41,500 for one person, $51,700 for two people, $63,500 for three, $77,100 for four, $87,500 for five, $98,600 for six and $110,000 for households of seven or more.
These income limits apply specifically to ECAP, and other energy-saving programs may have different eligibility requirements. If you have checked an energy program in the past and did not qualify, it may still be worth checking the current ECAP requirements.
Renters can also apply if the utility account for the home is in their name. Landlord consent is required before upgrades can be installed, and other eligibility requirements apply.
Applications are currently being accepted, but the program is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is subject to available funding. Applicants will need information about their household and utility account, as well as proof of income for household members aged 18 and older. Applications are made through the utility associated with the home, so the process differs between BC Hydro and FortisBC.
If your household is concerned about energy costs, or you live in a home that is difficult to heat or keep comfortable, ECAP may be worth exploring. Even if you have checked your eligibility in the past, recent changes to the program mean it may be worth checking again.
For more information, visit BCHydro.com/ecap or FortisBC.com/ecap. If you have questions or need support completing an application please contact 1-888-798-7658 or email ecap.outreach@clearesult.com.
Just Ask is a column in the Coast Reporter from the Sunshine Coast Resource Centre answering questions about local resources, services and supports. If you have a question you would like us to explore, contact us at communications@resourcecentre.ca.