FortisBC helps families renovate efficiently while meeting 30BY30 goal
In British Columbia, the stay-at-home orders brought about by COVID-19 restrictions prompted many housebound homeowners to look at their surroundings with new eyes—and aim to improve them.
In a poll of its customers, FortisBC found at least 25% said extra time at home due to the pandemic would be used to complete home renovations.
As a result, by showing customers how high-efficiency upgrades can help reduce ongoing energy costs and improve their home’s comfort, FortisBC processed almost twice as many Home Renovation Rebate applications in January and February 2021 than in the same time frame last year, a trend the utility says it expects will continue.
The most common rebates so far in 2021 have been for high-efficiency equipment, such as natural gas furnaces and water heaters, and EnerChoice fireplace rebates.
“We’re really encouraged by this increase in participation in all of our energy savings programs,” said Danielle Wensink, director, conservation and energy management, at FortisBC. “For us, this demonstrates that our customers are taking action to reduce their energy costs, improve home comfort and contribute to the global need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
The utility offers more than 20 rebates for furnaces and boilers, insulation, natural gas furnaces and water heaters, heat pump loans and more, all of which are helping to propel the utility toward its 30BY30 target of reducing emissions from its customers by 30% below 2007 levels by 2030. In addition, homeowners who make two or more eligible upgrades could get a bonus rebate.
The 30BY30 target is also supporting British Columbia’s CleanBC plan, which goes further to commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. In support of this additional commitment, three years ago, the utility developed its own Clean Growth Pathway to 2050 to outline steps it would take toward helping the province achieve its GHG emissions targets. FortisBC commissioned Guidehouse, a leading global provider of consulting services, to explore the advantages the energy system could provide under ambitious decarbonization in the province.
The analysis concluded that the benefits of maintaining a robust natural gas system are preserved by adopting a strategically diversified approach. The gas system delivers cost-effective energy services, energy reliability and significant economic benefits, and it provides an opportunity for a broader set of technologies and initiatives to help achieve the province’s 2050 GHG reduction goal, Guidehouse reported.