Building Electrification FAQ

Building electrification is about making the shift away from fossil-fuels and using low-carbon electricity for space heating, hot water and cooking. Instead of using natural gas or propane to run appliances like furnaces, kitchen stoves, washers and dryers, everything is electric.

In 2020, according to the 2022 CleanBC Climate Change Accountability Report, buildings represented over 11% of the emissions produced in British Columbia (BC). The majority of these emissions are a result of burning fossil fuels to heat our homes and buildings. The building sector is regulated entirely by provincial and local governments, making it one of the most straightforward opportunities for a rapid transition to a low-carbon market sector. Building electrification is recognized by federal, provincial and municipal governments as a critical strategy for decarbonizing BC's building sector. The availability of high-efficiency, electric technologies for most building space and water heating applications, along with the abundant supply of clean, renewable electricity in BC creates the perfect environment for deep emissions reductions in buildings. Building electrification also provides improved year-round comfort and indoor air quality for occupants.   

The Building Electrification Road Map (BERM) is a tool through which the necessary set of tactical actions for building electrification have been identified, including the right sequence and steps to ensure that BC’s building sector reaps the benefits of a clear and coordinated market transformation for both the existing building and new construction sectors.

The BERM Scorecard provides a snapshot of BERM themes and actions, which will be updated annually to track progress on implementation.

In short, yes. Building electrification is not a new concept, electric equipment is available and compatible with all building types, including residential, office, restaurants and many other commercial buildings.  

When constructing a new building, the process to electrify is simple – design for it. Full electrification is especially important in new construction because it reduces operational carbon and ensures that fewer expensive retrofits will be needed to achieve future climate targets for buildings. A recent BC-based study on multi-unit residential buildings demonstrated that all-electric buildings can be constructed for less than the average cost of similar code-minimum buildings. Demand for electric buildings is growing due to strong climate action targets and goals, municipal adoption of the BC Zero Carbon Step Code, and the inherent advantages of electrification (eg. Climate resilience, improved comfort, better indoor air quality, etc). Many jurisdictions across the globe, and within the province, have adopted building electrification policies for both new construction and existing buildings. 

In existing buildings, there are many straightforward electrification retrofit options (eg. roof-top and make-up air units for apartment and commercial buildings) as well as more complex retrofits which require engineering and sophisticated controls (eg. Heat recovery chillers). Typically, electric heat pumps systems cost one to five times more than replacing an existing natural-gas heating system. For single family homes, electrification projects are typically at the lower end of this range, as these projects are generally less complex and are easier to implement.  

For larger commercial buildings and multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs), the capital costs for a fuel switch project will be dependent on several project specific factors including the existing equipment and system design, whether an electric service upgrade is needed or not, the backup and peaking requirements, the existing system temperature regime (e.g. high-temperature vs low-temperature), the type of terminal units, the local climate, and the building type and operation. Buildings connected to more complex heating systems (eg. district energy and steam systems) may take longer to electrify as the technology continues to evolve, although a project to electrify two steam boilers in downtown Vancouver’s district energy system is currently underway. 

There are significant incentives available from BC Hydro, the federal government, the provincial government and some local governments to help offset the additional capital cost of electrification. See CleanBC Better Homes, Better Buildings and Canada Greener Homes for full list of incentives. 

Historically, electricity rates have been higher than natural gas rates (per unit of energy delivered). Higher efficiency building envelopes and mechanical systems for heating, cooling and ventilation can offset the higher cost of electricity relative to natural gas. All-electric heat pump systems are two to three times more efficient than gas heating systems and, therefore, result in energy savings. Whether the energy savings translate to energy cost savings is dependent on several factors, including the price of electricity, the price of natural gas, the efficiency of the existing natural gas system and the efficiency of the heat pump system (which varies with outdoor air temperature and therefore climate/location). 

In general, for fuel switching to be cost effective, the efficiency of the new system and energy savings must be high enough to offset the higher utility rates. However, gas prices can be highly volatile and a large percentage of a gas bill includes add-ons charges such as storage and transportation costs and carbon taxes. Federal and provincial government carbon tax policies means that the cost of natural gas will continue to rise over the coming decade, up to $170/tonne by 2030. The cost of BC’s renewable electricity, meanwhile, will be unaffected by the carbon tax. In a study run by the Capital Regional District and District of Saanich, the switch from gas heating to an electric heat pump in residential homes resulted in an average savings of 13% on their utility bills. Homes that did not result in savings typically maintained a gas back-up system. Similarly, analysis of a high-performance building in Pemberton proved that buildings designed as all-electric can have very affordable annual electricity bills. 

In commercial buildings, operating costs may increase with electrification. While residential electricity rates are tied specifically to consumption, large commercial electricity accounts incur an additional “peak demand charge”. Peak demand is calculated based on the highest amount of electricity used over a 15-minute increment. Strategies, such as load shifting, can be used to reduce the amount of electricity being used over the peak demand time period, thus reducing a building’s annual electricity cost. Overall, according to a Building Decarbonization Alliance paper, demand for net-zero buildings is increasing with growing consumer awareness, corporate ESG targets, and a growing trend to regulate emissions in buildings from municipal governments.  

It is important to note that building electrification should not be considered in isolation of other important strategies to increase a building's efficiency and optimization. Good building design that ensures longevity, efficiency and other important outcomes remain of central importance. 

Yes. There are many examples of fully electric residential, commercial, and institutional buildings in BC. In addition to the examples listed on B2E and ZEBx resource pages, there are thousands of existing homes using heat pumps in BC. Heat pump adoption is increasing in BC with an estimated 8% of existing homes in BC using a heat pump as their main heating source. CleanBC has issued over 11,500 heat pump rebates over the past 3 years. 

To find more examples of all-electric buildings in BC, visit the resource pages on B2E and ZEBx. 

There are many technologies available to support building electrification (e.g., air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, electric hot water heating systems, heat recovery ventilators, induction stoves, and even baseboards for high-efficiency homes), providing numerous options to building owners to consider in the shift to building electrification. To ensure maximum efficiency in electrification of heating, cooling and ventilation systems, investments in high efficiency building envelopes (insulation, windows, doors, air sealing) should also be considered (especially for new construction). Some of these technologies and key approaches to electrification are summarized below:

Heat Pumps‍

One of the main technologies is heat pumps. A heat pump is an efficient form of heating and cooling powered by electricity that moves heat from one place to another. In the winter, it pulls thermal energy from an outside source and moves it indoors to heat your building. In the summer, it removes thermal energy from the building, thus cooling the space. There are 3 types of heat pump sources - air, water and ground (geothermal). The following are examples of this technology:

   • Air-source heat pumps (air-to-air, air-to-water, ductless mini-split, variable refrigerant flow (VRF))

   • Water-source heat pumps (ground-source/geothermal, sewage heat recovery, VRF)

   • Heat pump domestic water heaters

Heat pumps are much more efficient than the equipment they replace. Air-source heat pumps or heat pump water heaters are two to five times more energy-efficient than their natural-gas counterparts. For space and water heating purposes, an electric heat pump's performance is typically measured as coefficient of performance (COP) - the ratio between the amount of electric energy needed to operate the compressor, compared to the amount of useable heat energy transferred. A typical COP of a heat pump for building space conditioning is around 3. Cold climate heat pumps are also available.

Ground-source heat pumps use the earth or ground water as a heat source or sink. In colder climate regions, ground-source systems can operate more efficiently because they take advantage of warmer and more stable ground temperatures. Typical water temperatures entering the ground-source heat pump are generally above 0°C, yielding a COP of around 3 for most systems during the coldest winter months. Installation of these systems is more complicated than their air-source counterparts due to land excavation requirements which makes ground-source systems more expensive, however, the additional cost can be recaptured in energy savings due to the increased efficiency.

Heat Recovery

Heat capture and recovery also plays an important role in building electrification. Like heat pumps, they facilitate the transfer of thermal energy from one place to another. However, a main difference is that heat recovery systems extract heat from sources of energy that would otherwise be considered waste heat (e.g., heated air vented out of a building for cooling and/or air quality purposes, chillers, industrial processes that require extremely hot water or steam, hot water drains and sewage).

Electric Resistance Heating

More commonly used in electric baseboards and water heaters. Electric resistance heating is best used as a back-up space heating system but can be a primary space heating source in a very efficient building (eg. Passive house). Electric water heaters are very common and are relatively inexpensive to purchase and install. Electric resistance heating has a COP of 1 which makes it less efficient than a heat pump and therefore a more expensive system to operate.

Home Appliances

Full electrification of a building includes replacing gas-powered home appliances as well. Ovens and burners can be replaced with electric ranges and induction cooktops, while gas-powered clothes dryers can be replaced with electric counterparts (there are now electric heat pump clothes dryers that do not require ventilation). For more information on electric kitchens, visit The Switch Is On. 

Whole Building Approach

To maximize energy efficiency, looking at the building as a system is a way to achieve better building performance and reduce operating costs. The whole building approach looks at the building envelope (eg. windows, doors, insulation), lighting systems, heating and cooling requirements and local climate conditions to assess opportunities within a building. When using the whole building approach, energy load requirements are reduced, and the sizing of mechanical systems is optimized (reducing costs). For example, upgrading the building envelope of a home - sealing air leaks and adding energy efficient windows - allows a heat pump to be sized-correctly and work more efficiently within the home. This results in greater energy savings and comfort.

Liken the whole building approach to visiting the doctor for an annual check-up. A doctor doesn’t simply look at your blood pressure and send you on your way, they instead review your health history and perform a series of tests to understand what is going on with your entire body as an interactive system. The same goes for buildings, reviewing individual building components does not provide the full spectrum of how the building works as a whole.

Overall, the whole building approach can be used for long-term capital planning and helps building owners to prioritize upgrades within their budgets and availability of incentives.

Integrated grid technologies

Integrated or “smart” grid technologies allow for two-way communication to optimize energy conservation. Energy storage in batteries will play an important part in electrification as it has the potential to make more efficient use of renewable power sources and reduce the demand on the current electricity grid. An NRCan pilot project in Nova Scotia is seeking to study how to enable electric vehicles to store and discharge electricity during peak times to ease pressure on the grid. Other emerging technologies like smart lighting controls and smart thermostats are currently being studied in the US and Canada to advance demand response and grid optimization.

Yes, and the technology continues to improve. 

According to Clean BC’s Better Homes website, heat pumps are increasing in popularity in colder parts of British Columbia. In these regions, cold climate air-to-air heat pumps or ground-source heat pumps are recommended. 

Research from Oxford University found that heat pumps are more efficient than their gas counterparts even as low as -30oC. In fact, nearly two thirds of homes in Norway now use heat pumps. Cold climate heat pumps are built to work efficiently in conditions down to -25°C, with some systems maintaining an efficiency of over 200% at -18°C. Since the air outside will always contain some heat, a heat pump can supply heat to a house even on cold winter days. In fact, according to this Clean Energy Fund report, air at -18°C contains about 85% of the heat it contained at 21°C. In most climate zones in BC, especially for the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and Coastal regions, there would be no need to install a supplemental heating system if the right heat pump is selected. For northern communities, all-electric new builds with cold climate heat pumps are entirely feasible, however they do require supplemental heating for the coldest days as outlined in this case study. 

Ground-source heat pumps can operate efficiently in colder climate regions because they take advantage of warmer and more stable ground temperatures. (For additional details, see FAQ question "What sort of technology is involved with building electrification?"). 

Many modern high efficiency heat pump systems can come with an integrated electric resistance heating system that functions as a supplemental system at low temperatures. For mini-split heat pumps installed in homes without ductwork, electric baseboards or high-quality electric fireplaces are another viable supplemental heating option.  

A dual-fuel system is another potential solution, whereby a heat pump provides 70-90% of the heating needs for a year, while a supplemental gas system would be utilized on the coldest days. This type of system can reduce the size of the heat pump, and therefore reduce costs, while ensuring comfort for building occupants, but it comes with the price of additional GHG emissions. It is imperative that the controls for a dual-fuel system are properly set to maximize the use of the heat pump and to reduce the amount of natural gas being used toward a home’s heating load.  

While the indoor and outdoor components of a heat pump make some noise, modern heat pumps noise levels are relatively low. On average, most modern heat pump outdoor units have a sound rating around 60 decibels, equivalent to a moderate rainfall or normal conversation. Some ultra-quiet models attain lower sound level ratings. Heat pump indoor units generally have sound level ratings between 18 and 30 decibels. These sound level ratings represent the sound generated by the heat pump’s components, such as such fans and compressors, when it is working at full capacity. 

To reduce heat pump noise, look for these features when purchasing a heat pump: 

• Variable speed fans and compressors 
• Soft start and stop functions 
• Nighttime/low sound modes 
• Insulated compressors 

Additional tips to reduce heat pump noise include talking to a contractor about ideal outdoor placement (away from windows and adjacent buildings), and installing the unit on a solid base such as a concrete pad or block with a vibration-absorbing mat. Barriers like fences, landscaping or decks can help to disrupt the noise transmission. Regular annual maintenance is also recommended to ensure proper operation of a heat pump. 

Reduced GHG emissions - One of the best ways we can reduce our GHG emissions in BC is to replace technology that uses fossil fuels (eg. furnaces, boilers) with those that use clean electricity (eg. Heat pumps). Electricity in BC is generated from 95% renewable energy sources, primarily with water.  

Energy efficiency - Heat pumps can be two to five times more efficient than natural gas heating equipment and conventional electric baseboards and performance continues to improve. (For more information on heat pumps, see FAQ question “What sort of technology is involved with building electrification?”)   

Improved safety - Electrification removes safety concerns associated with incomplete combustion of natural gas which results in carbon monoxide (CO), an odourless and poisonous gas. In kitchens, switching to induction cooking is a safer alternative to gas because it uses an electromagnetic field to heat up a pan while leaving the cooking surface cool to the touch. 

Improved public health – In BC, average temperatures are increasing, variable and extreme weather (such as the June 2021 province-wide heat dome) is becoming more frequent, and sea levels are rising. These broad changes will increase the frequency and intensity of climate-related hazards (such as extreme heat and poor outdoor air quality) which are associated with physical health, mental health, and wellbeing impacts in our communities. According to a Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health report, many climate-related impacts disproportionately affect populations that already experience health inequities, including those experiencing socioeconomic deprivation such as poverty and under-housing, those experiencing social isolation, older people, and people with disabilities. These hazards also impact the health system, including facilities and ability to deliver health care services. 

Improved air quality - Electrification eliminates the indoor air pollution health threats associated with burning fossil fuels or wood in a building. Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels or wood results in by-products such as fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. Wood heaters and woodstoves, gas and oil furnaces, gas stoves, and fireplaces can all contribute to indoor air pollution. Indoor air quality is important because people spend up to 90% of their time indoors – at home, school and work. Poor indoor air quality may cause headaches, tiredness, coughing, sneezing, sinus congestion, shortness of breath, dizziness and nausea. It can irritate the skin, eyes, nose or throat. Allergy or asthma symptoms could get worse. Natural gas appliances emit a wide range of air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), including nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM), and formaldehyde, which have been linked to various acute and chronic health effects. 

Just as indoor air quality is important, so is outdoor air quality. Moving away from fossil fuels not only eliminates indoor air pollution from appliances, it also eliminates the outdoor pollution and climate impacts associated with natural gas fracking, transporting, and burning fossil fuels and wood. According to Metro Vancouver’s Clean Air Plan, natural gas use in buildings contributes approximately 25% of greenhouse gas and approximately 10% of nitrogen oxides emissions in the region. 

Improved access to cooling - With the average outdoor temperature rising, the need for cooling is becoming increasingly critical. The Province of BC experienced record-breaking temperatures in over 100 communities in June 2021. This severe heat wave lasted several days and resulted in an unprecedented 619 heat-related deaths. In addition, traditional cooling methods for buildings, such as opening windows, may no longer be viable if outdoor air pollution from poor air quality events (eg. fires, smog) continues to be a problem. 

Electricity in BC is currently derived from 95% clean or renewable sources. In July 2021 the Provincial Government announced it intends to move to a 100% clean standard for BC’s electricity. Clean electricity enables building electrification to contribute to the advancement of local, provincial and federal government climate mitigation objectives, as well as reduction targets made by many BC-based businesses. Electrification is recognized by all levels of government as a critical strategy for decarbonizing BC’s building sector. Local governments (such as City of Vancouver) acknowledge building electrification in climate action plans as a key strategy to achieve significant GHG emissions reductions in response to Climate Emergency declarations. 

Building electrification supports the Province’s CleanBC sectoral target to reduce emissions from buildings and communities by 59-64% below 2007 levels by 2030 (2021) and the Federal Government’s Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act (2021) targets to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. If nearly all buildings in BC were to electrify by 2030, GHG emissions from buildings would drop from 6.9 Mt/year to less than one MtCO2e/year, a reduction that far surpasses the provincially set sectoral targets for buildings. This figure will drop even more as BC’s electricity system moves to the 100% clean standard. 

A refrigerant is a liquid or gaseous compound used to absorb and transfer heat. It is a technology that is used in refrigerators, air conditioners, heat pumps and more. Without refrigerants, air conditioning, refrigeration or freezing technology wouldn’t be possible.   

In 1987, the Montreal Protocol banned refrigerants with a high Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) but did not address the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of the gases that would replace them. Later in 2016, the Kigali Amendment to the Protocol set an agenda to phase out high GWP refrigerant gases, but many of these refrigerants are still being used.  

Alternative refrigerants with lower GWP are appearing on the market, driven by regulation changes in different regions of the world. Several of these alternatives are naturally-occurring (e.g. Ammonia (R717), CO2 (R744), and Propane (R290)) and have negligible GWP levels compared with many synthetic counterparts. 

Proper installation and maintenance of heat pumps and other equipment using refrigerants, plus proper recycling of refrigerants at end of life of equipment useful life will help to avoid harmful refrigerant leaks. For more information on refrigerants, please refer to Refrigerants and Environmental Impacts: A Best Practices Guide.

Many jurisdictions across the country and the globe have set zero emissions building goals, and their plans and strategies include a strong push towards electrification. For example, according to Sierra Club, over 70 cities in California are encouraging or requiring all-electric new construction and the California Energy Commission approved a new building code to include highly efficient electric heat pumps as a baseline technology. This came into effect on January 1, 2023. The new code includes changes to heat pump, electrical readiness, and energy storage requirements. 

Overseas, Denmark has committed to phase out fossil fuels for heating by 2050. The Netherlands aims to convert 1.5 million homes—more than 20 percent of its housing stock—to fully electric by 2030, leading the way with its own municipal buildings and public housing. Ireland has ambitious plans to achieve net-zero emissions in its building sector by 2050 including 600,000 high efficiency electric heat pumps installed by 2030 (400,000 in existing homes), according to this NRDC article. 

Rural parts of BC experience unique challenges in equipment supply due to a lack of local warehousing and sales force. Availability of equipment specialists trained in the design, installation, and maintenance of high-efficiency electric equipment is generally low in comparison to densely populated areas. While these issues can make it more difficult for people and businesses in rural and remote communities to purchase, install and have regular maintenance and repairs completed for some technologies and brands, these closer-knit communities have increased opportunities to rapidly build awareness and train local contractors, home builders and distributors of technologies. Similarly, close relationships between contractors and builders can also provide opportunities for accelerated training and market influence. 

Several rural and remote Indigenous communities in BC have initiated residential heat pump programs, including some community-wide home retrofits. Projects like the one in Haílzaqv (Heiltsuk) Nation also support the local economy by providing training to local community members for on-going equipment maintenance. Remote communities, who rely primarily on oil, propane and diesel for heating, experienced significant cost savings to heat their homes and received the added benefit of cooling. Many projects utilized a combination of local contractors along with expertise from larger city-centres to achieve enhanced comfort and better air quality. 

Through the transition to electric buildings, demand for construction jobs – especially in the renovation sector – will continue to rise. For electrification, professional mechanical designers and trades, such as refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, and electricians, will be in high demand. According to BuildForce Canada’s report on BC’s Construction and Maintenance Forecast, to keep pace with construction demands, the industry will need to recruit and train an estimated 52,600 workers through 2032. According to a BC Centre for Women in the Trades (BCCWITT) report, recruiting and retaining workers from equity-priority groups – including Women, Indigenous, Black, and people of colour (IBPOC), newcomers to Canada, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community – can help alleviate the current and future skilled trades labour shortage, and ensure there is a steady supply of skilled tradespeople readily available to build a greener economy. The creation of high-quality green jobs that cannot be outsourced will help to keep economic gains and benefits within communities.   

An economic impact study conducted for the City of Vancouver and the Province estimated that the future Alterations Code for Existing Buildings will create more than 4,400 direct jobs and nearly 6,000 indirect jobs between 2019 and 2039 (net impact, full-time equivalent jobs) and contribute more than $8.3 billion to the province's direct GDP (referenced in the Building Electrification Road Map). Although this study did not focus directly on building electrification, heat pumps and other building electrification technologies will play a large role in retrofitting existing buildings to meet provincial climate targets.  

For new construction, a study commissioned by the Vancouver Economic Commission estimates that Vancouver and BC's zero emissions and net-zero energy ready building policies are stimulating a $3.3 billion market for high-performance buildings products and technologies in Metro Vancouver alone. The report specifically highlights the economic potential of mechanical equipment such as heat pumps and heat recovery ventilators. It estimates that the installation of this equipment will support 770 jobs on average each year from 2019-2032 throughout Metro Vancouver. It also points out that the manufacturing of this equipment holds considerable future potential for job growth. 

As identified by the provincial CleanBC plan, every dollar invested in energy efficiency generates up to four times its value in economic growth. The green building industry currently employs approximately 32,000 British Columbians from all areas of the province in jobs ranging from architecture to manufacturing to installation, and that number is expected to grow. 

Yes. The province’s main electricity provider, BC Hydro, is planning for the rapid scale up of building, vehicle and industry electrification, and has developed near- and long-term actions to meet the scale of electrification required for achieving the provincial government’s climate targets. The utility continuously updates its plans and projections in response to changing conditions (i.e. government policy and regulation, and market conditions).  

 BC Hydro determines future energy supply and demand through its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which examines future generation, transmission, and distribution resource needs. According to BC Hydro’s 2023 IRP Sign-Post Update, electricity demand in BC is anticipated to increase by 15% by 2030. BC Hydro employs a range of strategies to conserve and use existing electricity more efficiently, and generate additional sources to meet the growing demand throughout the province. The implementation of the strategies will vary based on projected demand scenarios: demand-side measures; upgrades to existing generation facilities; electricity purchase agreement renewals; upgrades to transmission and distribution facilities; and future resources. BC Hydro aims to pursue the lowest cost and impact strategies before adding new resources to help manage rates, and the environmental impacts associated with building new infrastructure.  
 
Beyond current utility-planning, an important consideration for widespread electrification is the potential to integrate building electrification with distributed energy resources (DER) such as solar photovoltaics (PV), bi-directional vehicle charging and battery storage. In addition, energy management systems that can support grid management and flexible loads. Measures such as these will increase overall grid resiliency and smooth out the amount of power needed to meet peak demand. For more information, see this B2E article on residential examples of capacity-based and energy management systems.  

Improving building energy efficiency performance, through improved envelope and mechanical systems, will help to manage the rate of growth in electricity demand. Heat pump technologies are much more efficient than gas-fueled space and water heating. In a similar vein, the gradual replacement of electric resistance equipment with heat pumps will significantly reduce the energy demand of existing electrically heated homes, freeing up electricity for new load sources. Ongoing efforts to continually improve the minimum energy performance requirements of heat pumps and other technologies will therefore continue to be important for governments, utilities and industry to support.  

Equity acknowledges and addresses the imbalance of advantages and barriers in a social system while justice seeks to ensure that balance is sustained over time. While building electrification is directly linked to emissions reductions, it is also indirectly tied to improving quality of life in our communities, especially for disadvantaged community members. Today, many barriers to equitable decarbonization exist, including financial and informational, however, many organizations are working to enhance programs to make them more equitable.  

A new CleanBC program has placed equity at the forefront of its design. The CleanBC Income Qualified Program offers enhanced rebates that cover 60–95% of home upgrade costs to qualified applicants. It also offers free energy coaching, virtual energy assessments, and support in multiple languages to help homeowners and renter identify the home upgrades and rebates that are best for them. Rebates are offered on a sliding scale relative to income and the number of residents in the home. BC Hydro’s Electrification Plan indicates that it will invest up to $8 million in support for low-income customers. Additional equity-based incentive programs include the Energy Conservation Assistance Program, the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) grant, and the Indigenous Community Heat Pump incentive. 

Lower-income communities typically contribute less to climate change and are more likely to be impacted by it. As an example, according to investigative findings from the BC Coroner Service, the effects of the 2021 extreme heat event were not felt equally amongst the population. The elderly, those with chronic health conditions and materially and socially disadvantaged people were disproportionately impacted. In addition, renters have little control over the building systems where they live and are more likely to experience energy poverty - a larger percentage of their income going to energy costs. According to Ecotrust Canada, rural and Indigenous communities can face higher rates of energy poverty, with an electricity cost burden that is often two to three times the provincial average. Low-income residents, whether renters or owners, have less disposable income for home energy-efficiency improvements. Inefficient housing can contribute to issues such as mould, moisture and under-heating, with corresponding health issues like respiratory diseases. Electrification can support low-income communities through modernizing appliances, increasing access to cooling and improving indoor air quality.  

Areas of risk that need to be carefully considered and managed when planning for equitable building electrification are the effects on operating costs (ensuring that energy bills do not increase significantly) and ensuring that rent does not increase due to capital upgrades. When building electrification is combined with envelope upgrades to improve air tightness, less energy is required to heat and cool. Using a heat pump to electrify increases energy efficiency, which can reduce impacts to the electricity grid, result in cost savings to the end-user, and offer potentially life-saving access to cooling. BC electricity rates are amongst the lowest in North America, and unlike natural gas, do not incur a carbon tax - which is anticipated to continue escalating. Early electrification for lower income populations will ensure that they are not left shouldering a larger share of the costs to operate and maintain the natural gas distribution systems as wealthier populations drop their gas connections. According to an Ecotrust Canada report, phasing out the fossil gas system by planning for the electrification of entire neighbourhoods and communities would promote equitable electrification. 

While investment in electrification can be a barrier to adoption, many parties within the province are coming to the table with financial support for retrofits that improve comfort and resilience to extreme heat and poor air quality events (such as smoke from wildfires). Resilience is especially critical for rural and Indigenous communities, that are more likely to face impacts from wildfires and often bear an energy cost that is 2-3 times the provincial average. With a greater proportion of income directed towards utilities, energy poverty can compound economic development challenges in these communities. A low-income and social housing electrification plan is currently in development to identify the specific issues tied to these communities and establish a set of recommendations to ensure equitable cost and benefits of electrification going forward. 

There are cases where building electrification may trigger an electrical service upgrade. Depending on how much additional load is required, upgrading the existing service may be the best solution to decarbonize. However, there are also instances where the added load can be managed through load share devices, which allow multiple devices to share the same circuit, or energy management systems, which control peak demand. These strategies can help to avoid service upgrades.  

In the case where an electrical service upgrade is required in a home, rebates are available through CleanBC if you’re converting from a fossil fueled primary space or water heating system to electric primary space or water heating system. Work with a licensed electrical contractor to calculate the load requirements. Be sure to consider potential future loads such as space and water heating, kitchen or laundry appliances, and electric vehicles. For details on how to apply for an upgraded service, see BC Hydro’s page for guidance. 

Similarly, commercial customers can request service upgrades from BC Hydro here. Large customers can also work with their Key Account Managers on their service requests. 

BC Hydro is in the process of exploring alternative options for allocating costs associated with system improvements. In addition, they are also taking steps to reduce timelines for system upgrades in order to support electrification across the network. 

Being a renter means that you have less control over your heating and cooling systems and appliances than a typical homeowner. That being said, you do have options to electrify your space. 

If you’re concerned about indoor air quality and cooking on a gas range, consider getting a portable induction cooktop. There are many other portable electric cooking options such as kettles, multi-cookers, and crockpots. Bonus: you can take these with you whenever you move! 

Get a portable heat pump that can be vented through a window, which can provide supplementary heating and cooling in smaller spaces. They plug into standard outlets and are two to three times as efficient as electric resistance heaters.

Introduce your landlord to their electrification options. They might not be aware of heat pump technologies or the incentives available to them. If the equipment in your home or building is getting older, now is a good time to introduce them to their options. It is important for landlords to plan in advance of equipment failure to avoid emergency “like-for-like” replacements. Both renters and landlords can invest in home improvements and you may be able to access CleanBC Better Homes rebates.