1  Low Interest Renovation Loans

Financial institutions offer ‘green’ loans for home owners making energy efficient upgrades. Vancity’s Bright Ideas personal loan offers home owners up to $20,000 at prime + 1% for up to 10 years for ‘green’ renovations. RBC’s Energy Saver loan offers 1% off the interest rate for a fixed rate installment loan over $5,000 or a $100 rebate on a home energy audit on a fixed rate installment loan over $5,000.

For information visit your financial institution.

www.vancity.com/Loans/ TypesOfLoans/BrightIdeas and www.rbcroyalbank.com/products/ personalloans/energy-saver-loan. html

2  Energy Conservation and Assistance Program (ECAP)

BC Hydro and FortisBC offer free energy assessments and energy saving products to low-income customers. Qualified contractors will install upgrades ranging in value from $300 to $5,000 depending on the need of the home.

www.bchydro.com/powersmart/ residential/ps_low_income/ energy_conservation.html and

www.fortisbc.com/NaturalGas/ Homes/Offers/EnergyConserva­tionAssistanceProgram/Pages/ default.aspx

3  Energy Savings Kit Program

BC Hydro and FortisBC offer low-income customers a free energy saving kit containing products to help save energy and money.

www.bchydro.com/powersmart/ residential/ps_low_income/ energy_saving_kits.html and

www.fortisbc.com/NaturalGas/ Homes/Offers/EnergySavingKit/ Pages/default.aspx 

Source: The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver