)
CleanBC — Commercial Express Program
BC, Canada
Offer substantial incentives for commercial building owners to reduce GHG emissions through streamlined, accessible electrification measures
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Retail trade
- Transportation and warehousing
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Accommodation and food services
grant_single|grantors
- CleanBC
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
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.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
This program provides financial incentives to promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through building electrification. The incentives are designed to tailor benefits to meet various project needs.
- Capital incentives of up to a maximum of $100,000 are available per project, influenced by factors such as building type, age, location, and more.
- Additional incentives for eligible Northern customers include an extra $10 per tonne of CO2 equivalent savings, with a total project cap of $125,000.
grant_single_labels|projects
The CleanBC Commercial Express Program is designed to help commercial building owners and operators reduce greenhouse gas emissions by supporting specific retrofit measures. Eligible activities involve electrification measures that produce measurable energy savings and load growth.
- Installation of packaged rooftop units with air source heat pumps for heating and air conditioning, including heat recovery ventilators.
- Deployment of centralized or decentralized high-efficiency HRV/ERV systems to enhance heating and cooling efficiencies.
- Installation of distributed or in-suite mini-split or VRF heat pumps for comprehensive heating, cooling, and ventilation solutions.
- Implementation of air-to-water heat pump water heaters to improve water heating efficiency.
- Incorporation of wastewater heat recovery heat pump water heaters for enhanced energy reuse.
- Integration of electric induction equipment for food preparation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in restaurant settings.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This program is specifically available to buildings located in certain geographical areas serviced by BC Hydro. Eligibility is extended to northern regions meeting specified latitude criteria and utility service conditions.
- Commercial utility account with BC Hydro.
- Buildings located north of and including the District of 100 Mile House (latitude 51.628°N).
- Properties within the BC Hydro service territory, including New Westminster.
grant_single_labels|criteria
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.
grant_single_labels|register
- 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.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
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
grant_single_labels|contact
smallbuildings@betterbuildingsbc.ca
1-866-522-4713
