Development & Community Sustainability Services
Regional Energy Efficiency Program
The Regional District Central Kootenay (RDCK) is committed to supporting residents to reduce carbon pollution and save energy. The Regional Energy Efficiency Program (REEP) supports residents who are considering home renovations, including those participating in the Energy Conservation Assistance Program.
By participating in these programs, you will access help through the process such as next steps, energy advisors, contractors, rebates, and low interest financing. The Regional Energy Efficiency Program is here to help.
This is for homeowners who are interested in completing a home energy assessment for personal interest, house sale or are looking at carrying out home renovations:
By registering for REEP, you will receive:
- A dedicated team to support you through your renovation journey
- Information on current upgrade options, technologies, energy advisors, contractors, rebates, incentives and low-interest financing
- Support in booking an EnerGuide audit both before and after your renovation
- Register to have an EnerGuide home energy evaluation, and you will learn where heat is escaping, and which energy upgrades you should focus on.
This is also the FIRST STEP required in the Canada Greener Homes Grant (where you can get grants up to $5,000 towards energy upgrades and discounted EnerGuide evaluations
If you rent or own your home and qualify based on your household income, this program offers free installation and supply of energy efficient products.
Some homes may even qualify for a free upgraded refrigerator, insulation and/or a new heat pump.
The RDCK’s See the Heat program, offered through its Regional Energy Efficiency Program (REEP), allows you to borrow a thermal imaging camera from your library in Castlegar, Nelson or Creston to identify heat escaping from your home.
The thermal imaging camera connects to your smart phone so you can learn more about the energy efficiency of your home. It allows you to see how well your house is insulated, how well doors and windows seal, what plugins and outlets are particularly leaky, and the effects of leaving chimney flues open when not in use.
Thermal images can help you discover opportunities that you might have to improve the comfort and energy performance of your house.
Register for an EnerGuide Home Evaluation to qualify for the Government of Canada Greener Homes Grant and other rebate opportunities.
Why Start with a Pre-Upgrade EnerGuide Home Evaluation?
- Ensure your planned upgrades qualify for current rebate programs.
- Identify areas where your home is losing heat and energy.
- Determine energy-efficient retrofits to improve comfort, reduce energy use, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
- Prioritize upgrades for the greatest impact on your home.
- A Pre-Upgrade EnerGuide Evaluation is the required first step for the Government of Canada Home Energy Retrofit Initiative, which offers grants of up to $5,000 for energy upgrades and includes free evaluations.
Why Complete a Post-Upgrade EnerGuide Home Evaluation?
- Confirm your upgrades qualify for available rebates.
- Track how your upgrades improved your home’s energy performance.
- Receive an updated energy performance label reflecting your completed upgrades.
- EnerGuide Home Evaluations include a comprehensive home inspection, energy model, blower door test, detailed report, and performance score.
Hear from Nelson resident Laura about her experience with the energy evaluation and why it’s worth considering for your home!
Grants and Rebates
This free program is coordinated in partnership with the RDCK and the City of Nelson and provides free energy-efficient products for renters or homeowners who qualify based on household income. Some homes may also be eligible for upgrades such as a refrigerator, insulation, or a natural gas furnace.
CleanBC offers numerous rebates to support high-performance buildings for both new and existing homes, as well as commercial buildings.
For Homeowners:
Visit betterhomesbc.ca
For Commercial Building Owners:
Visit betterbuildingsbc.ca
This Natural Resources Canada program offers financial support for energy upgrades. The grant provides up to $5,000 for upgrades and includes free EnerGuide evaluations, which can be combined with CleanBC rebates. The loan offers up to $40,000 for energy upgrades, interest-free, with a 10-year repayment term.
A new home is a significant investment that will be a major part of your life for years. Get the most out of your home by planning, designing, and building it with energy modeling. Maximizing energy efficiency and minimizing operational costs is most effective and cost-efficient when done from the design stage.
The Energy Assessment, combined with air tightness testing, lets you see your home’s performance right from the design phase.
The RDCK, under the updated BC Building Code, requires new buildings to be 20% more energy-efficient than the 2018 baseline. With increased Energy Step Code requirements, small residential homes (Part 9) must meet Step 3, while more complex buildings (Part 3) must meet Step 2.
The Step Code aims to build beyond the standard, requiring energy modeling and end-of-construction testing to ensure your home performs well in terms of comfort, energy efficiency, and safety.
For more information, including case studies and building permit processes, visit the RDCK Step Code webpage.