How much funding can be received?

The CleanBC Commercial Express Program supports building owners and operators in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from existing commercial buildings through electrification measures. With capital incentives up to $100,000 per project, and additional incentives for Northern customers, eligible activities include installing various heat pumps, heat recovery ventilators, and electric induction food preparation equipment. Eligible buildings must be commercial as defined by Part 3 of the BC Building Code and customers must be within the BC Hydro service territory.

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This grant is accessible to businesses located within the BC Hydro service area. It aims to bolster projects in the northern parts of British Columbia, starting from the District of 100 Mile House.

Businesses maintaining a commercial utility account with BC Hydro.
Buildings north of and including the District of 100 Mile House (latitude 51.628°N).

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Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the building type and the BC Hydro commercial account status.

The building must be a commercial building as defined by Part 3 of the BC Building Code and must be one of the following types: Mid-Size Office, Small Office, Strip Mall Retail, Big Box Retail, Warehouse, Restaurant-Food Service, School Gymnasium, Classroom, Multi-Unit Residential Building (high rise and low rise), Community Centre, or Hospital Services.
The applicant must be a BC Hydro Commercial customer on either the Small General Service (SGS), Medium General Service (MGS), or Large General Service (LGS) rate.
The building must be located in the BC Hydro service territory, including New Westminster.

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To apply for the CleanBC Commercial Express Program, applicants must be building owners or operators who have commercial buildings that meet certain conditions. Eligible participants include building owners or operators of qualifying commercial buildings such as mid-size offices, small offices, strip mall retail spaces, big box retail stores, warehouses, restaurant-food services, schools, community centers, hospitals services, and multi-unit residential buildings, among others, located within the BC Hydro service territory. Applicants must have a commercial utility account with BC Hydro and must comply with specific technical requirements related to the electrification measures eligible for incentives under the program.

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The CleanBC Commercial Express Program is designed to support projects that facilitate electrification in commercial and institutional buildings, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Eligible activities focus on installing advanced equipment and technologies that enhance energy efficiency and environmental performance.

Installation of packaged rooftop units equipped with air source heat pumps for heating and cooling.
Integration of high efficiency heat or energy recovery ventilators (HRV/ERV).
Deployment of decentralized air source variable refrigerant flow (VRF) heat pumps.
Implementation of distributed mini-split or VRF heat pump systems.
Installation of in-suite packaged heat pumps with HRV for heating, cooling, and ventilation.
Use of air-to-water heat pump water heaters.
Implementation of wastewater heat recovery systems.
Conversion to electric induction food preparation equipment.

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Eligible expenses include the costs of equipment purchases necessary for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in commercial buildings.

Purchase of a packaged rooftop unit equipped with an air source heat pump with gas or electric resistance for supplemental heating.
Costs for integrated heat recovery or a dedicated heat/energy recovery ventilator (HRV/ERV).
Investment in centralized high efficiency HRV/ERV decoupled from heating and cooling, or decentralized air source variable refrigerant flow (VRF) heat pump.
Expenses for distributed mini-split or VRF heat pump systems for both heating and cooling.
Procurement of in-suite packaged heat pump and in-suite HRV for heating, cooling and ventilation.
Purchase of an air-to-water heat pump water heater.
Investment in a wastewater heat recovery heat pump water heater.
Expenses for electric induction food preparation equipment.

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There are evaluation and selection criteria for the CleanBC Commercial Express Program, focusing on the building's type, eligibility, and the proposed electrification measures.

Building must be a Commercial Building as defined by Part 3 of the BC Building Code and one of the specified types (e.g., Mid-Size Office, Small Office, Strip Mall Retail, etc.)
Applicant must be a BC Hydro Commercial customer on either the Small General Service (SGS), Medium General Service (MGS), or Large General Service (LGS) rate.
Building must be located in the BC Hydro service territory, including New Westminster.
Electrification measure must provide a net decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy impacts must be measurable and verifiable.
Energy impacts must be estimable using standard engineering calculations.
Technology involved must not be covered by other utility demand side management programs.
Technology must provide net electrical load growth.
Technology must be accessible/viewable for site inspection and/or measurement and verification if required.
Technology must be hardwired or permanent in nature.

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Step 1: Review Program Materials
- Read the Participant’s Guide and Frequently Asked Questions to understand the program.
- Download the Application Form from the program's website.
Step 2: Consult with Energy Coach
- Contact the CleanBC Small Buildings Energy Coach for initial guidance on your project proposal.
- Email smallbuildings@betterbuildingsbc.ca for personalized energy coaching.
Step 3: Complete Application Form
- Fill out the application form with information about your building and intended retrofit.
- Prepare detailed responses to the series of questions regarding your project.
Step 4: Contact BC Hydro Representatives
- If needed, reach out to your BC Hydro Business Account Representative or Key Account Manager for additional assistance on your application.
Step 5: Submit Application
- Ensure the application form is complete and accurate.
- Submit the completed application via the submission method outlined by CleanBC.
Step 6: Confirmation and Follow-Up
- Receive notification confirming receipt of your application and notice of approval if applicable.
- Retain confirmation details for your records.

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There are other miscellaneous pieces of information about the grant that might be useful for applicants.

You have 9 months from the date of the confirmed incentive agreement to complete the project and submit all the required documentation to receive payment.
If your project does not qualify for the Commercial Express Program, you may be eligible for either the CleanBC Custom or CleanBC Custom Lite programs.
If you need assistance on energy efficiency upgrade incentives, check out the incentive search tool.
If you encounter any building science or energy efficiency terms you do not understand, refer to the provided glossary.
Contact information for free energy coaching services: smallbuildings@betterbuildingsbc.ca
Contact information for BC Hydro Energy Savings Business Help Desk: incentives@bchydro.com, 1-866-522-4713

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smallbuildings@betterbuildingsbc.ca

1-866-522-4713

Apply to this program

Maximize Your Building’s Energy Efficiency with CleanBC Commercial Express Program

The CleanBC Commercial Express Program offers building owners and operators a streamlined approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through electrification and retrofit opportunities. The program facilitates access to financial incentives and free energy coaching to pursue impactful greenhouse gas reduction projects without an Energy Study.

Dive into the CleanBC Commercial Express Program Details

The CleanBC Commercial Express Program, an initiative backed by the BC government, aims to support the decarbonization of existing commercial buildings by simplifying the process for owners eager to shift towards greener practices. This program specifically targets projects that focus on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within commercial buildings by offering up to $100,000 in capital incentives, potentially increasing to $125,000 with additional top-up offers for eligible northern regions. By targeting electric upgrades that are permanent in nature and result in verifiable energy savings, building owners can significantly cut their carbon emissions and operational costs.

This program stands out due to its streamlined approach, emphasizing ease of access and simplicity for participants. Unlike many other incentive programs that require comprehensive energy audits before application, the Commercial Express Program allows building owners and operators to apply by simply providing details about their intended retrofit projects. This reduces barriers to entry for smaller businesses and facilitates quicker adoption of eligible technologies such as air source heat pumps, energy recovery ventilators, and induction cooking equipment, all geared towards reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing ecological footprints.

Participants can further maximize their effort by utilizing the free energy coaching services offered under the program. These services provide personalized guidance from CleanBC Small Buildings Energy Coaches, assisting participants in selecting and implementing effective energy-saving measures. This support can be crucial in identifying the best technologies for specific building types and ensuring that all retrofit measures align with the program's eligibility criteria for improvement in energy efficiency and reduction in GHG emissions.

Eligible applicants must own or operate buildings defined by Part 3 of the BC Building Code and should fit into specified building types, such as offices, retail spaces, and educational facilities. They must also hold a valid BC Hydro commercial utility account and be located within the utility's service territory. This geographical eligibility fosters a focused approach to minimizing emissions in line with British Columbia's climate action goals.

Even if a project does not qualify for the Commercial Express Program, there remains an avenue of opportunity through the CleanBC Custom or Custom Lite programs, which are designed to accommodate more specialized or larger-scale energy projects. The breadth of support provided under these initiatives underscores BC's commitment to energizing its commercial sectors with sustainable electricity and advanced energy solutions.

Finally, the program ensures that all modifications are permanent and accessible for inspection, thereby guaranteeing transparent and measurable results. This meticulous approach to monitoring ensures that real, impactful change is achieved across participating entities, translating aspirations for cleaner operations into tangible environmental benefits. As energy demands in the commercial sector continue to rise, initiatives like CleanBC’s provide practical and immediate pathways for businesses to adapt sustainably, contributing not only to their operational efficiency but to the broader goal of a green economy.