Top-up incentives from North Cowichan to the province’s CleanBC Better Homes Program from July, 2020, to September, 2023, totalled $118,300.
A staff report said it has been estimated that the 334 top-up incentives that North Cowichan approved in that time has resulted in a reduction of 865 tonnes of greenhouse-gas emissions annually in the municipality, which is equivalent to removing 200 cars from the road.
Jennifer Aldcroft, North Cowichan’s climate-change specialist, said energy retrofits of buildings in the municipality are a goal of its Climate Action and Energy Plan.
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“Home-energy retrofits are one of the ‘big moves’ associated with reaching the CAEP emissions reduction target of 80 per cent by 2050,” Aldcroft said.
North Cowichan tops up the rebates offered by the province to homeowners switching from fossil-fuel space or water-heating systems to electric air-source heat pumps, or air-source heat pump water heaters, with an additional $350 rebate, as well as $500 rebates towards upgrades to a home’s electrical service to support conversion.
The provincial rebate amount varies by equipment type.
“Promoting the transition to greener technology benefits the environment and yields positive economic outcomes for the community,” Aldcroft said.
“The municipality’s top-up incentive investment of $118,300 generated over $1.7 million in economic benefits for the local businesses engaged in energy-efficiency improvements.”
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Aldcroft said North Cowichan’s current contribution agreement with the province to provide the top-up incentives ends on March 31.
She said the province has budget approval in place for this program until March 31, 2025, and is asking if North Cowichan is interested in extending its agreement to this date.
“The province is considering the next steps to evolve this program beyond March, 2025, and will return to staff later in 2024 with their recommendations,” Aldcroft said.
“A budget of $40,000 has been allocated from [North Cowichan’s] CAEP reserve fund for 2024, should council seek to continue the agreement.”
Council is expected to decide if it wants to continue with the program at its meeting on March 20.