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CleanBC Custom-Lite Program

The CleanBC Custom-Lite Program is intended to help building owners and operators reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in their existing commercial buildings. The Custom-Lite program is a simplified version of the larger CleanBC Custom Program and is intended to facilitate smaller electrification opportunities across the commercial and institutional building sector.

The Program offers Capital Incentives of $60/tCO2e of lifetime GHG savings for heat pump roof top units up to a maximum of $72,000 and $40/tCO2e of lifetime GHG savings for all other qualifying measures up to maximum $48,000 incentive per customer. The Program also offers Energy Study funding for 50% of the cost of an energy study, up to a maximum of $2,000.

For a limited time, CleanBC is offering free energy coaching services to assist building owners and operators reduce GHGs through fuel-switching and other electrification measures and take advantage of CleanBC’s Custom-Lite incentive offering. Interested applicants are asked to contact smallbuildings@betterbuildingsbc.ca for more information.

Available Incentives

Energy Study Funding – The program will support up to 50% of an energy study cost, up to a maximum of $2,000.

Custom Capital Funding Incentives – based on a rate of $40/t C02e of lifetime GHG savings, the program will support up to $48,000 per project. For heat pump rooftop units, the rate will be 60/t C02e up to $72,000 per project.

All eligible Northern customers* will receive an additional $10/t C02e incentive on all eligible measures installed. The total maximum incentive including the top-up offer is $84,000 per project.

  • * Eligible buildings must have a commercial utility account with BC Hydro and be located north of and including the District of 100 Mile House (latitude 51.628°N).

Eligibility Requirements

  1. The building must be a commercial, institutional, or a multi-unit residential building.
  2. The project must demonstrate the potential to implement measures at a single facility that will lead to at least 500 and less than 1,200 tC02e of lifetime savings.
  3. To qualify as an energy measure, projects must:
    • Provide a net decrease in greenhouse gas emissions
    • Result in energy impacts that are measurable and verifiable
    • Result in energy impacts that can be estimated using standard engineering calculations
    • Involve a technology that is not covered by other utility DSM programs (e.g. FortisBC’s Commercial Custom Program).
  4. Individual Custom-Lite Projects are limited to a total of $48,000 or $72,000 in incentives depending on the equipment. The overall customer cap for combined Custom-Lite and Custom projects (Energy Study and Capital Incentives), as well as Commercial Express Incentives, is $750,000, which can be spread over multiple projects and locations.
  5. Equipment cannot be purchased before finalizing and signing the Capital Incentive Agreement.
  6. CleanBC Custom Incentive Measures can include the following, refer to the Participant’s Guide for more information:
    • Air-to-Water Heat Pump Water Heater
    • Air-to-Air Rooftop Heat Pump
    • Sewage Heat Recovery Heat Pump
    • High-efficiency (>75%) HRV*
    • Electric Water Heater**
    • Air Source VRF
    • Electrical Cooking Equipment
  7. The following measures qualify but are typically found in larger buildings and as such may not fall within the participation criteria thresholds for the Custom-Lite Program.
    • Heat Recovery Chiller*
    • Ground Source Heat Pump
    • Water-to-Water Heat Pump
    • Exhaust Air Heat Recovery Heat Pump
    • Electric Boiler**
    • Water Source VRF

* Note: Proposed measures leading to a gas dominant heating system (i.e. Gas heating equipment with greater than 50% share in total building heating energy consumption) should first contact Fortis BC to inquire about eligibility in its gas DSM program.

** Note: Electric boiler only will be accepted if all other more efficient heat pump options are not feasible.

How to Apply

  1. Read all materials, including the Participant’s Guide and Frequently Asked Questions, and download the Custom-Lite Workbook. Contact the Business Help Desk, Business Account Rep or Key Account Manager, if you have any further questions.
  2. Submit the completed Custom-Lite Workbook and all invoices for payment. Invoices should include all items listed on the sample invoice.

Deadlines

  • You have 6 months from the date of the signed Energy Study-lite Agreement to complete the energy study.
  • You have 12 months from the date of the signed Capital Incentive Agreement to complete the project.

Other

  • For custom projects that will lead to 1,200 tC02e of lifetime GHG savings or more, see the CleanBC Custom Program.
  • Check out our incentive search tool for other energy efficiency upgrades incentives.
  • Did you see a building science or energy efficiency term you did not understand? Check out our glossary.
  • By using, visiting, or browsing CleanBC and the Energy Coach service, you accept and agree to these Terms of Use.
  • To access free energy coaching services, contact smallbuildings@betterbuildingsbc.ca to get started.

Program Contact Information

Contact your Key Account Manager or Energy Savings Business Help Desk.