If you are planning to make your home warmer, more comfortable, or more energy-efficient, you may be able to get help from the B.C. government.

But there was a major change to the BC Energy Savings Program (ESP) on July 6, 2026.

The new rules changed who can qualify, which upgrades are covered, and how much money some households can receive.

The new income limits

Your ESP income level is based on:

• The number of people living in your home, including children
• The combined yearly income before tax of adults in the home
• Your home’s assessed value

The income limits below apply to applications under the current program.

These are combined pre-tax household income limits. Income is counted for adults age 18 and older, not dependants.

What changed on July 6, 2026?

Some rebates that were available under the old program are no longer available under the new ESP rules.

Windows and doors

Windows and doors are no longer covered by the Energy Savings Program for new applications under the July 6, 2026 rules.

This is important because the old program offered up to $9,500 per home, with a maximum of $950 per window or door.

If you are planning to replace windows or doors, check the Home Renovation Rebate Program. That program is separate from ESP and may still offer rebates for eligible windows and doors.

Insulation

Insulation is also no longer an ESP rebate under the new rules.

The previous ESP program offered up to $5,500 per home, with limits for each area of the home.

This does not mean insulation rebates are gone everywhere. Other B.C. programs may still help with insulation, so homeowners should check the current Better Homes BC programs before starting work.

Heat pump rebates are still available

Heat pumps remain one of the main upgrades supported by the Energy Savings Program.

The amount depends on your current heating system and your income level.

For example, for a home changing from natural gas or propane to a heat pump, current maximum rebates include:

• Up to $13,000 for a central ducted or qualifying three-head heat pump for ESP1
• Up to $7,000 for ESP2
• Up to $3,500 for ESP3

Some northern B.C. homes may also qualify for an additional $3,000 top-up.

Homes changing from oil may also qualify for significant heat pump rebates. Oil-heated homes must meet additional requirements, including proof of at least 500 litres of oil use during the previous 12 months.

What if your home uses electric heat?

This is one of the important changes shown in the information you provided.

Under the current rules, an electric-to-heat-pump upgrade is available only to ESP Income Level 1 households.

An eligible ductless mini-split heat pump can receive up to $5,000 per home.

So, in simple terms:

Electric heat → heat pump: ESP1 only

The old ESP2 electric-heating heat-pump rebate is no longer available under the new rules.

Heat pump water heaters

Heat pump water heaters are still part of the Energy Savings Program.

For homes replacing a fossil-fuel water heater, the current program can provide up to $3,500 per home for eligible households.

For homes replacing an electric or wood water heater, ESP1 can provide up to $3,500, while ESP2 can provide up to $2,800.

The new water heater must meet the program’s product requirements, and it must be installed by an approved contractor. Self-installation is not eligible.

Other help may be available

The Energy Savings Program is not the only program offered through Better Homes BC.

For example, the Home Renovation Rebate Program is available to B.C. households at any income level. Current maximum rebates include:

• Heat pump: up to $4,000
• Heat pump water heater: up to $1,000
• Windows and doors: up to $2,000
• Insulation: up to $5,500

There is also an Energy Conservation Assistance Program that can provide free energy-saving upgrades to eligible households. Depending on the home, upgrades can include heat pumps, insulation, ventilation and other energy-saving work.

A key rule: apply before starting

If you want to use the Energy Savings Program, do not start the work first.

You must register and confirm that you qualify before installing the upgrade. If you apply on or after July 6, 2026, your eligibility code is valid for upgrades completed within three months of your approval date.

Your upgrade must also be installed by a Registered Contractor approved by the program.

What about the old rebates?

The information provided in the image also shows important dates for people who wanted to keep the old rebates.

To keep the previous window, door and insulation rebates, the work had to meet the old program’s deadlines, including:

• Quote submitted by July 5, 2026
• Installation completed by July 31, 2026

These dates applied to the transition to the new program rules. The current ESP rules now apply to invoices dated July 6, 2026 or later.

If you did not meet the old program deadlines, you should use the current rebate rules instead.

Your home may have to meet a property-value limit

There are also property-value limits.

For people registering at ESP1 or ESP2 on or after April 1, 2026, the home’s assessed value must be $1.2 million or less.

For ESP3, the limit is $1.82 million or less. The value is based on the B.C. Assessment listing for the home in the year you register.

What should homeowners do?

Before paying for an upgrade, take these steps:

1. Check your income level.

Count everyone living in the home and the income of adults age 18 and older.

2. Check your home type.

The main ESP program covers certain single-family homes, suites, mobile homes, duplexes, triplexes and townhomes. Condos and apartment buildings have separate rules.

3. Check your current heating system.

The rebate can be very different depending on whether your home uses natural gas, propane, oil, electricity or wood.

4. Check the rebate before starting work.

You may need to register first.

5. Use an approved contractor.

The current ESP rules require eligible upgrades to be installed by a Registered Contractor.

The bottom line

The July 6, 2026 changes are important for B.C. homeowners.

The biggest points to remember are:

• The ESP income limits have changed.
• Windows and doors are no longer ESP rebates under the new rules.
• Insulation is no longer an ESP rebate under the new rules.
• Heat pump rebates are still available.
• Heat pump water heater rebates are still available.
• Electric-to-heat-pump rebates are now limited to ESP1 households.
• Some natural gas, propane and oil homes can qualify for rebates of several thousand dollars.
• Some northern B.C. homes can receive extra money.
• You must register and confirm eligibility before starting an ESP upgrade.
• Other programs, including the Home Renovation Rebate Program, may still help with windows, doors and insulation.

Because rebate rules can change, homeowners should check the current Better Homes BC information before signing a contract or starting work.

Need help? Call GoBears today at 604 442 9997.

Source: Better Homes BC, CleanBC Energy Savings Program. Current program rules effective for invoices dated July 6, 2026 or later.