It’s the topic that’s on everyone’s mind (and social media page!): CLIMATE CHANGE. You might be thinking “What can I do to help the environment?” well, you’re in luck! Upgrading your home to make it more energy efficient is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, and you can even get awesome rebates when doing so. Here’s a quick guide to what you can do and how we can help!

Firstly, Are You Eligible?

The CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program has a laundry list of requirements to qualify for one of their rebates. For one, you need to have a utility account with FortisBC, BC Hydro or a municipal utility company and must have 12 months of continuous billing through them. You will need to have an eligible home, such as a single-family or certain multi-family dwellings. You also need to be replacing existing windows and doors rather than installing new ones.

Windows and doors also need to be installed by a certified installer. Rebate applications need to be submitted within 6 months of the invoiced date, so don’t dawdle. These are the basic requirements, but of course there are more, so please be sure to check out the CleanBC website for additional details!

Now That You Qualify, What’s Next?

Your next step should be deciding if you want to spring for the tier 1 or tier 2 rebate. This is decided by the U-Factor. U-Factor is measured in W/m2·K—or Watts per meter-Kelvin—which is a fancy way of saying the rate the product conducts non-solar heat flow, or simply the energy efficiency.  The important part is that the lower value, the better the efficiency!

Tier 1 has a U-Factor between 1.23 and 1.40 W/m2·K with a rebate of $50 per window or door up to $1000, and tier 2 has a U-Factor of 1.22 W/m2·K or under with a rebate of $100 per window or door up to $2000. Depending on a few factors, including window size, glass size and type – we have the ability to be within either tier, but be sure to note to your sales representative what you are going for before so they can adjust details accordingly!

What Would Upgrading Your House Mean For You?

There are so many benefits to upgrading the windows and doors in your house. One of the biggest things you’ll notice is all the money you will save on heating in the winter and cooling in the summer, and your ability to regulate your home temperature with ease. Reducing your energy consumption also reduces your carbon footprint, which is great for the environment and keeping the planet green for generations to come. And of course, this doesn’t even touch on the increased re-sell value, or that you can do pretty much any design and add your personal flare!

Come talk to us today to start your upgrading journey!