The City of Nanaimo is encouraging homeowners to with move away from fossil fuels for heating their homes through a new rebate program. The city, in correlation with the CleanBC Better Homes Program, has introduced a Double the Rebates program which can offer up to $6,000 to assist with qualified electric heat pump upgrades.
“Heating oil is a well-known cause of greenhouse gas emissions and it also has the potential for a backyard disaster,” said Rob Lawrence, environmental planner for the City of Nanaimo. “Both underground and above ground oil tanks rust and wear down over time in our climate and a leak could mean extensive and expensive soil cleanup. Switching to an electric air-source heat pump while these additional rebates are in place could save homeowners a lot in the long run.”
The city is also offering additional top-ups for qualifying upgrades. These include $350 for electric air-source heat pumps, $350 for heat pump water heaters and an additional $500 for electrical service upgrades (100, 200, and 400 amp service) needed to accommodate switching to an air-source heat pump or heat pump water heater.
“The timing of these rebates has another added benefit — stimulus for our economy which has suffered during this pandemic. It’s really a win-win-win opportunity,” said Mayor Leonard Krog.
CleanBC also offers rebates for other home improvements, such as upgraded windows, heat pump water heaters, insulation and smaller rebates for other primary heating source system upgrades.
The Double the Rebates program is being offered for renovations installed and invoiced between Oct. 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021. Homeowners who want to claim a rebate need to register online for a rebate code at BCHydro.com
