CleanBC — Commercial Express Program

The CleanBC Commercial Express Program offers up to $100,000 in incentives to commercial building owners and operators looking to reduce greenhouse gases through electrification opportunities. The program provides a streamlined application process and free energy coaching to facilitate emission reduction projects.

The CleanBC Commercial Express Program is a transformative initiative designed to aid commercial building owners and operators in their quest to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By offering financial incentives and simplified processes, this program addresses the urgent need for environmental sustainability in the commercial sector.

The primary goal of the CleanBC Commercial Express Program is to mitigate climate change by reducing GHG emissions through building electrification. This is achieved by: - Encouraging the adoption of energy-efficient technologies. - Facilitating the switch from fossil fuels to electricity. - Providing financial support to make these transitions feasible for building owners and operators.

To qualify for the CleanBC Commercial Express Program, buildings must be classified as a Commercial Building as defined by Part 3 of the BC Building Code. Moreover, the building should fall into one of the following categories: - 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 - Hospital Services Additionally, applicants must be BC Hydro Commercial customers on either the Small General Service (SGS), Medium General Service (MGS), or Large General Service (LGS) rate. The building must be situated within the BC Hydro service territory, including New Westminster.

The incentives offered by the CleanBC Commercial Express Program are generous, with a maximum cap of $100,000 per project. However, eligible Northern customers will receive an additional $10/tCO2e on lifetime GHG savings on all eligible measures installed, raising the total maximum incentive to $125,000 per project. To qualify as an electrification measure, specific criteria must be met: - The project must result in a net decrease in GHG emissions. - Energy impacts must be measurable and verifiable. - The energy impacts should be estimable using standard engineering calculations. - The technology used should not be covered by other utility demand side management programs. - The technology should provide net electrical load growth. - The technology must be accessible for site inspection and/or measurement and verification if required. - The technology must be hardwired or permanent in nature. Examples of eligible equipment include: - Packaged rooftop units equipped with an air source heat pump with gas or electric resistance for supplemental heating. - Centralized high-efficiency HRV/ERV fully decoupled from heating and cooling. - Decentralized air source variable refrigerant flow (VRF) heat pumps. - Distributed mini-split or VRF heat pumps for heating and cooling. - In-suite packaged heat pumps and in-suite HRVs providing heating, cooling, and ventilation. - Air-to-water heat pump water heaters. - Wastewater heat recovery heat pump water heaters. - Electric induction food preparation equipment. Applicants should refer to the Participant’s Guide for a complete list of eligible equipment. Note that equipment cannot be purchased before the application is submitted and a notice of approval is received.

The application process for the CleanBC Commercial Express Program is designed to be as seamless as possible: 1. **Read Program Materials**: Applicants should thoroughly read all program materials, including the Participant’s Guide and Frequently Asked Questions. 2. **Contact Energy Coaches or Representatives**: If additional questions arise, applicants can contact the CleanBC Small Buildings Energy Coach, BC Hydro Business Account Representative, or Key Account Manager. 3. **Submit Application**: Applicants must complete and submit the program application.

To further assist building owners and operators, CleanBC offers free energy coaching services. A CleanBC Small Buildings Energy Coach can guide applicants through the process, helping them select appropriate measures and navigate the application process. This service is invaluable in ensuring that applicants maximize their GHG reductions and incentives.

Once a confirmed incentive agreement is received, applicants have nine months to complete their projects and submit all required documentation to receive payment. This timeframe ensures that both project planning and execution can be thorough and well-managed.

If a project does not qualify for the CleanBC Commercial Express Program, applicants may be eligible for other programs such as the CleanBC Custom or CleanBC Custom Lite programs. These alternative programs also focus on energy efficiency and GHG reduction but may have different eligibility criteria or incentive structures.

The CleanBC Commercial Express Program is a significant opportunity for commercial building owners and operators to contribute to the fight against climate change. By offering substantial financial incentives and streamlined processes, the program makes it easier than ever to adopt energy-efficient technologies and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Coupled with free energy coaching services, the CleanBC Commercial Express Program stands out as a comprehensive and accessible initiative for sustainable commercial building management in British Columbia.