Rental Apartment Retrofit Accelerator Program (RARA)

Rental apartment building owners in British Columbia can access a suite of energy efficiency and decarbonization retrofit planning support services. The program provides expert guidance from professional engineers throughout every stage of the retrofit process and support accessing applicable financial incentives.

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Coaching Support, Energy Studies and Implementation Support

Participants with qualified buildings may be able to receive FREE:

  • Retrofit coaching support: Support throughout the project and assistance with identifying and accessing incentive funding.
  • Identification of Retrofit Opportunities & Energy Efficiency Opportunities: A screening report and follow-up call from our engineers and energy specialists to discuss potential retrofit & energy efficiency options and available incentives.
  • Energy Benchmarking: Energy and emissions tracking through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. Setup included.
  • Options Study: A summary of priority retrofit and energy efficiency opportunities, with estimated energy savings, project costs, and identification of applicable incentives, rebates, and tax credits/exemptions.
  • Feasibility Study: A detailed engineering analysis and pre-design of electrical and mechanical aspects required for the selected retrofit to provide a business case, including detailed costs, savings, and incentives. The study will also provide a general decarbonization plan for the building.
  • Retrofit Implementation Support: Ongoing building retrofit support from experienced professional engineers and project managers through the planning, design and implementation phases.

Incentives and Funding

BC Hydro and CleanBC MURB Retrofit Program

BC Hydro and CleanBC MURB Retrofit Program: Provides substantial financial incentives for energy efficiency and decarbonization retrofits for multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) within BC Hydro’s service territory. Supporting both electric energy efficiency and fuel-switch retrofits, it covers
a. Opportunity Assessments: Up to 100% funding (max $5,000) for high-level evaluations to identify retrofit opportunities.
b. Feasibility Studies: 75% coverage of study costs (up to $30,000). The remaining 25% of study costs covered if the project is completed within 18 months.
c. Rebates: Available for space heating, domestic hot water, ventilation, controls, electrical capacity upgrades, windows, and lighting upgrades.

District of Saanich and City of Victoria Property Tax Exemption

District of Saanich and City of Victoria Property Tax Exemption: A municipal property tax exemption offer, covering up to 100% of the retrofit costs. Eligible retrofits include space heating, water heating, ventilation and other building retrofits.

Clean Technology (CT) Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

Clean Technology (CT) Investment Tax Credit (ITC): A refundable federal tax credit of up to 30% for new clean technology investments.

BC Hydro Solar and Battery Storage Rebate Program

BC Hydro Solar and Battery Storage Rebate Program: Offers incentives and guidance for installing solar panels and battery storage systems for MURBs, helping reduce electricity costs and increase energy independence.
a. Solar Panels: Up to $25,000 rebate ($1,000 per kW, capped at 50% of the total cost).
b. Battery Storage Systems: Up to $25,000 rebate ($500 per kWh, capped at 50% of the total cost, minimum 5 kWh storage).

Clean Buildings Tax Credit

Clean Buildings Tax Credit: A 5% refundable income tax credit for qualifying retrofits that improve energy efficiency. Eligible retrofits include heat pumps, lighting, fans, envelope upgrades, and more.

Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation CMHC MLI Select Program

Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation CMHC MLI Select Program: An innovative multi-unit mortgage loan insurance product focused on affordability, accessibility, and climate compatibility.

Who can Apply?

Overall Program Eligibility:

  • Applicants who are LandlordBC members will be given preference wherever possible.
  • Buildings must be market rental buildings located in British Columbia.
  • Buildings with an active natural gas utility account and gas-fired mechanical equipment interested in replacing with a low-carbon alternative, or
  • Or Buildings with an active BC Hydro account.
  • For rental properties, no tenants may be evicted or permanently displaced due to improvements completed as part of the Project.

Eligible Retrofits

Participants can receive technical support for a wide range of upgrades, see list below. Note – financial incentives are not available for all retrofit options.

  • Space heating systems
  • Domestic hot water systems
  • Ventilation systems
  • Hybrid systems (can be considered).
  • Load management technologies, appliance upgrades, gas pool heater replacements, and onsite renewable energy projects.
  • Solar and battery storage
  • Complimentary energy efficiency retrofits like new windows, air sealing, lighting, lighting controls, electrical capacity upgrades, variable speed drives, carbon monoxide controls and insulation.

The RARA program timelines:

  • Program registration is on a first-come-first-served basis.
  • Participant recruitment: June 2024 – March 2025 or until fully subscribed
  • Future rounds of recruitment will be announced based on available program budgets.

To Apply and For Questions

  • To apply please Register Here
  • For more information or to schedule an online meeting to discuss if this program is right for you, please contact [email protected] or call 1.877.335.7042

The RARA program is a LandlordBC initiative, administered in partnership with FRESCo Building Efficiency.

Register Here