CleanBC Multi-Unit Residential Building Retrofit Program: What You Need to Know

As building owners, strata councils, and multi-family homeowners, you're always looking for ways to enhance the energy efficiency, comfort, and value of your properties. But upgrades to multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) come with a unique set of challenges. From navigating complex regulations to managing the high costs of renovations, these projects can be intimidating. That's why the Multi-Unit Residential Building Retrofit Program in British Columbia is such a game-changer.

Launched by BC Hydro and the provincial government as part of the CleanBC Better Homes program, this initiative aims to provide financial support to building owners in BC who are ready to undertake energy-efficient upgrades. Whether you’re a strata council or an owner, this rebate program can help make your retrofit project more affordable and efficient. Let’s take a look at how the program works – and why you should prioritize window and door replacement for your building’s energy upgrades.

Key Features of the Multi-Unit Residential Building Retrofit Program

The Multi-Unit Residential Building Retrofit Program is designed specifically for multi-unit residential buildings such as low, mid, and high-rise apartments and stacked townhomes that are three stories or higher. However, multiplexes and side-by-side rowhomes are ineligible. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know about the program:

Eligibility and Scope

• The property must be within BC Hydro’s service area (which includes New Westminster and many other parts of BC).
• This program focuses on retrofits only, meaning new construction is not eligible.
• The program covers a wide range of upgrades, including windows, heating systems, solar panels, lighting, and more.
• Windows are one of the most valuable upgrades in this program, and we’ll discuss why this is such an important area for multi-family building retrofits in this article.

Financial Support & Rebates Available

• Up to $5,000 for an Opportunity Assessment to evaluate your building’s energy efficiency and identify eligible upgrades.
• Up to $30,000 for a Feasibility Study that offers a more detailed analysis to guide the retrofit project.
• Rebates of up to $500,000 for energy upgrades, with a cap of 50% of the total project cost (whichever is less).

These financial incentives can significantly reduce the cost of upgrading your building’s systems, making it easier for you to invest in long-term sustainability, improved tenant comfort, and reduced energy bills.

CleanBC’s Multi-Unit Residential Building Retrofit Program: How to Apply

The process for applying to the Multi-Unit Residential Building Retrofit Program is straightforward, but it involves several important steps. Here’s what you need to know:

Step 1: Opportunity Assessment

Before you begin any retrofit project, you can get up to $5,000 for an opportunity assessment. A consultant will evaluate your building and identify potential areas for energy efficiency improvements. This initial step is a critical part of understanding your options and ensuring the project’s success.

Step 2: Feasibility Study

If you’re ready to move forward, the next step is a feasibility study, which can receive up to $30,000 in funding from the program. This study involves a deeper dive into your building’s systems, including mechanical assessments, to ensure that the planned upgrades will deliver the expected results and meet energy efficiency goals.

Step 3: Rebates for Equipment Upgrades

Finally, once your feasibility study is completed, you can access rebates for equipment upgrades. These rebates cover a range of building improvements such as windows, heat pumps, solar panels, lighting upgrades, EV charging readiness, and more. The amount of the rebate can vary, but it can help you save up to $500,000 or 50% of the project cost, whichever is lower.

If you’re considering applying, get Centra Install Pros onboard for your building upgrades – our experts can help guide you through the process.

Why Prioritize Window and Door Replacement for Your Building Retrofit?

Upgrading windows and doors should be a priority for any multi-family building undergoing a retrofit. Here's why:

Cost-Effective, High-Impact Upgrade

Overhauling an entire multi-family building can be a significant investment, especially for larger buildings with multiple units. Windows and doors, however, can be one of the most cost-effective upgrades that have a huge impact. The per-unit cost of replacing windows and doors is typically up to 42% cheaper when done as part of a whole-building upgrade compared to individual unit replacements.

Energy Savings & Comfort

Replacing old, inefficient windows can drastically improve your building’s energy efficiency. If your building currently has single-glazed or double-glazed windows with non-thermally broken frames, upgrading to new, high-performance windows can cut down on heat loss, reduce energy bills, and enhance the comfort of unit owners and tenants.

Get the Most Out of Upgrades

When upgrading your building’s heating systems, it’s highly beneficial to address your windows first. If you replace heating systems but leave old, inefficient windows in place, your investment may not yield the energy savings you expect. Poor windows can let heat escape, causing your new systems to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. This results in higher energy consumption and increased costs. Replacing your windows before upgrading other systems ensures that your building retains heat efficiently, allowing all your energy-efficient upgrades to work as intended and maximizing savings.

Access to Rebates and Grants

The window rebate under the Multi-Unit Residential Building Retrofit Program can help offset the cost of this upgrade. To qualify for this rebate, your building’s existing windows must be single-glazed, or double-glazed with non-thermally broken frames, and you’ll need to replace all windows in the building. The new windows must meet certain energy efficiency standards, and the project must result in a 10,000 kWh/year energy saving.

Not only does this improve energy performance, but it also enhances the value and livability of your building for residents, which is crucial for property owners in today’s market.

Rebates Come and Go

Rebates like these don’t always stick around. Programs like this can change over time or may disappear completely, so taking advantage now while the rebate is active is crucial for building owners and councils who are considering upgrades.

Why Choose Centra for Your Retrofit Project?

At Centra Install Pros, we are experts in window and door replacement and building envelope renewal. With over 40 years of experience and hundreds of successful complex renovations completed, we specialize in multi-unit residential building retrofits across BC.

We manufacture the high-performance windows and doors that we install, simplifying the renovation process. We have our own in-house installation and carpentry teams that are paid hourly as opposed to by the job so they give your building the time and attention it deserves, and we have our own in-house engineering teams to ensure you’re getting the best windows and doors possible for your project. We also know how to navigate the complexities of the retrofit rebate process and can guide you through every step, from assessment to installation.

At Centra, we understand the unique challenges of multi-unit buildings and work directly with strata councils, property owners, and management companies to maximize the value of each retrofit project. Plus, by completing your window and door upgrades as a whole-building project, you can save up to 42% compared to doing them unit by unit – and those savings are entirely separate from the CleanBC rebates.

While these rebates don’t apply to single-family homes, there are others that do. If you’re a homeowner looking to save money on energy-efficient window replacement, check out our Rebate Calculator to get an idea of what you could be eligible for.

If you’re a building owner, strata council member, or multi-family homeowner looking to take advantage of the Multi-Unit Residential Building Retrofit Program, don’t hesitate to reach out to Centra Install Pros for a free consultation. Let us guide you through the rebate process and help you make energy-efficient upgrades that save money and enhance your building’s value. Contact us now to get started, and take full advantage of available rebates before they’re gone.

Centra: Western Canada’s Top Choice for Windows & Doors

Have an upcoming window and door project? Reach out to the experts for a free consultation! If you have any questions regarding this topic or anything else to do with windows, contact a local Centra Employee Owner at 1-888-534-3333 or drop us an email at info@centra.ca. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date, and test your window knowledge on LinkedIn.