Name: Airtight Energy Advisors
Price range: $$$

What is the New Home Program?

The New Home Program, from FortisBC, is an initiative designed to financially assist builders and developers in constructing energy-efficient residential properties. By offering significant combined financial rebates of up to $30,000, the program encourages the adoption of the BC Energy Step Code 4 through improved building envelopes and high-efficiency mechanical systems.

The Fortis qualifications page outlines specific eligibility criteria, such as requirements for dual-fuel systems and professional F280 Heat Loss calculations and commissioning, while also providing funding for energy advisors and specialized design consultants. Additionally, the Design Offer is an incentive to hire an Integrated Design Professional to facilitate advanced team work for your project.

Fortis BC – New Home Program 2026-27. https://www.fortisbc.com/rebates/detail/new-home-program

The Step 4 and Step 5 Whole Building Rebates

In a market where construction costs are volatile, building to the higher tiers of the BC Energy Step Code is a move of fiscal responsibility. The program offers a “Whole Home Rebate” that acts as a significant financial carrot to offset the capital expenditure of premium materials. Builders can access a generous $15,000 rebate for Step 4 and a substantial $20,000 check to the Builder for achieving Step 5.

However, a strategist knows the devil is in the details of mechanical eligibility. To unlock these funds, systems must undergo professional commissioning to ensure they operate at peak performance. Furthermore, for those utilizing dual-fuel systems (such as a heat pump integrated with a gas furnace), specific technical thresholds must be met. This includes a single control system and strict “Switchover Temperature” settings: below 5°C for Climate Zone 4 and below 2°C for Zones 5 through 8. Timing is equally critical—to secure these incentives, applications must be submitted by December 31, 2027, or within six months of the building’s completion.

Heat Pump Specifications

Cold Climate Heat Pump – rated by NEEP.org
HSPF2 zone IV > 10 or zone V > 8.5
SEER2 rating higher than 16 for cooling
DC Inverter or VRF compressor technology

Furnace Specifications

Direct-vent 2-speed gas furnace rated >95% AFUE
Control shuts off primary heat pump at 5C (41F), starts secondary furnace
A HRAI listing number for the Heat Pump, Air Handler, and Furnace system

New Home Program Design Forms

CSA F280-12 Heat Loss/Gain room by room calculation
HVAC Commissioning Fortis form to record the base performance
Airtight Energy Advisors collects all the above documents and completes the Fortis application

The Energy Advisor: The Secret Weapon for Builders

While the builder executes the vision, the program-qualified energy advisor is the bridge between technical code requirements and the actualized rebate check. As the Facilitator of the Integrated Design Process, (IDP), they are essentially risk management consultants who ensure the project doesn’t fall short of its efficiency, comfort, and performance targets.

The New Home Rebates program provides $1300 to cover most of the Energy Advisor fees:

$800 to the builder to support coordination with energy advisors.
$500 to the builder for an optional mid-construction blower door test to catch air leaks before the drywall goes up.
$200 directly to the energy advisor to support the completion of the rigorous rebate application.

Fortis Design Offer Rebates

Transitioning to BC Energy Step Code 4 or 5 is about more than just checking a regulatory box; it is about a commitment to high-performance stewardship. By leveraging Integrated Design Process (IDP), rebates, Airtight Energy Advisors is building homes that are inherently more comfortable, durable, and resilient.

Most new homes on Vancouver Island, from Victoria to Campbell River, will benefit immensely from a structured 4-step IDP process.

Discovery – A key vision exercise to reveal the property owner’s most important goals for the project;
Benchmarking – setting the metrics to achieve Energy Step Code 4 or 5, and EnerGuide rating certifications;
Charrette – A Team driven pursuit of the project goals and strategy to avoid delays by change orders or mistakes;
Review – Using the collective intelligence and experience to guide the project success.

Working Together to Achieve Better Homes

Transitioning to the BC Energy Step Code 4 or 5 is about more than just checking a regulatory box; it is about a commitment to high-performance stewardship. By leveraging IDP rebates, energy advisors, and modern fuel options like RNG, we are building homes that are inherently more comfortable, durable, and resilient.

As you plan your next development or your own forever home, the question remains: Are you building to satisfy the minimum standards of today, or are you building to hedge against the climate and energy costs of tomorrow? Let Airtight Energy Advisors Guide you through the Fortis New Home Program to optimize your home performance and get $20,000 to $30,000 back in Fortis BC rebates.